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Mathura & Vrindavan

Mathura & Vrindavan

pilgrimage site · Uttar Pradesh

State
Uttar Pradesh
Type
Pilgrimage Site
Best season
Winter
Things to do
4+

Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna, and neighbouring Vrindavan, where he spent his childhood, form the heart of the Braj pilgrimage region — a land of thousands of temples, devotional music and the most exuberant Holi celebrations in India.

When to go

Best visited October to March when the weather is pleasant; summers can be hot and the monsoon wet.

Why visit

The birthplace and childhood land of Lord Krishna — thousands of temples and India's most famous Holi celebrations.

Cultural notes

The Braj region is the cradle of Krishna devotion (bhakti), celebrated in countless temples, the Lathmar Holi of nearby Barsana, and a deep tradition of devotional song and dance.

How to reach

Mathura is on the Delhi-Agra line (~3.5 hrs from Delhi by road on the Yamuna Expressway), with frequent trains; Vrindavan is 12 km further.

Mathura & Vrindavan in 2 days

See the full itinerary

2 days in Mathura & Vrindavan

Take the whole plan, or add any single stop.

Krishna JanmabhoomiDay 1

Day 1

Krishna Janmabhoomi

The temple complex at the believed birthplace of Lord Krishna in Mathura.

Day 1

Vishram Ghat & Yamuna Aarti

Vishram Ghat & Yamuna Aarti

Day 1

Dwarkadhish Temple

Dwarkadhish Temple

Day 1

Mathura peda tasting

Mathura peda tasting

Banke Bihari TempleDay 2

Day 2

Banke Bihari Temple

Vrindavan's most beloved Krishna temple, famous for its lively darshan.

Prem Mandir

Day 2

Prem Mandir

A vast white-marble temple in Vrindavan, floodlit in colour after dark, which is when everyone comes. Built by a modern sect rather than an old one, and it looks it.

Day 2

ISKCON & Nidhivan

ISKCON & Nidhivan

Day 2

Govardhan parikrama (optional)

Govardhan parikrama (optional)

Mathura & Vrindavan guide & itineraries

Mathura & Vrindavan is perfect for

spiritualfamilyheritage

What & where to eat

Kachori-Sabzi

Mathura/Vrindavan

Kachori-Sabzi

Braj-style breakfast

Jalebi

Mathura/Vrindavan

Jalebi

Braj-style breakfast

Aloo Tikki

Aloo Tikki

Street snacks

Chaat

Chaat

Street snacks

Thandai

Thandai

Cooling drinks; thandai during Holi

Lassi

Lassi

Cooling drinks; thandai during Holi

Mathura Peda

Mathura

Mathura Peda

The town's signature milk sweet

Rabri

Rabri

Krishna-country milk sweets

Makhan Mishri

Makhan Mishri

Krishna-country milk sweets

Nearby getaways

Delhi

~3 hrs

Govardhan

~30 min

Things to do

How to spend your time in Mathura & Vrindavan.

Krishna Janmabhoomi (Mathura)

Krishna Janmabhoomi (Mathura)

The birthplace temple of Lord Krishna

Banke Bihari Temple (Vrindavan)

Banke Bihari Temple (Vrindavan)

Beloved Krishna temple with lively darshan

ISKCON Vrindavan & Nidhivan

ISKCON Vrindavan & Nidhivan

Krishna-Radha shrines and the sacred grove

Braj Holi celebrations

Braj Holi celebrations

World-famous Holi across Barsana and Vrindavan (spring)

Popular attractions

The places in Mathura & Vrindavan most people come for.

Krishna Janmabhoomi

Krishna Janmabhoomi

Attraction

Bankey Bihari Temple

Bankey Bihari Temple

Experience

Prem Mandir

Prem Mandir

Attraction

See all attractions

Frequently asked questions

When is Holi in Mathura-Vrindavan?

Braj Holi runs for days around the main festival (February-March) and is world-famous - book well ahead.

How many days for Mathura-Vrindavan?

2 days to cover Mathura's Janmabhoomi and Vrindavan's temples.

Festivals around Uttar Pradesh

Time your trip around something unforgettable.

Dev Diwali, VaranasiNovember

Dev Diwali, Varanasi

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Over 5 million pilgrims and tourists

Explore festival →

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