Places to Visit in Mathura & Vrindavan

The twin sacred cities of India, Mathura and Vrindavan, are divine places located on the banks of the Holy River Yamuna in Uttar Pradesh. The identity of these cities starts and ends with Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna, the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu, took birth in Mathura. People in these cities believe that the sound of the flute played by the great Lord still resounds in every byland and fallen leaf. 

If you are an ardent devotee, the devout ambience and the spiritual aura of these towns are reason enough for you to visit these magical lands. But, apart from the temples, these cities have something to offer to all kinds of tourists. Here, you can enjoy the delicious food, experience the rich Indian culture, explore the pastoral beauty, and learn about the ancient legends and the innumerable stories of Lord Krishna’s mischiefs and divinity. 

Especially during festivals, these cities offer a magical vibe. For instance, the Holi celebration in Mathura and Vrindavan is like stepping into a vibrant kaleidoscope of colours and joy. Locals and visitors alike drench each other in brightly coloured powders and water. The air is filled with laughter, music, and the sweet aroma of traditional sweets like gujiyas and thandai.
You can even witness unique celebrations like the Flower Holi in Vrindavan, where instead of using coloured powders, people throw fragrant flower petals at each other.

If you are craving a soulful experience, there are many amazing places to visit in Mathura and Vrindavan that will delight your senses. So, without any further ado, let’s get started:

Places to Visit in Mathura: 

• Shree Krishna Janmasthan

• Kans Quila

• Shree Dwarkadhish Temple

• Vishram Ghat

• Kusum Sarovar
   

Shree Krishna Janmasthan, Mathura

This magnificent temple is at the top of our list for a good reason. Popularly known as the Janam Bhoomi, it is believed that this is exactly the place where Lord Krishna was born. The temple attracts plenty of tourists and ardent devotees from all over the world; they come here to offer their prayers to the Lord and seek his blessings. 

As awe-inspiring as the temple looks from the outside, the interiors will leave you breathless. Not to mention, the spiritual aura, accentuated by the deep devotion of the devotees and the hymns chanted inside, will captivate your senses. 

While you visit the temple, make sure to visit the Edigah Mosque, which is adjacent to it. The mosque, built by Aurangzeb, is an architectural wonder and testifies to the Mughal influence in the region. 

Devotees of Shri Krishna celebrating Holi in Mathura can also enjoy

. It is a playful celebration where women playfully beat men with sticks, symbolizing the teasing of Lord Krishna by the women of Barsana. It's a colourful and fun event filled with laughter, music, and traditional folk dances. The unique tradition adds an extra layer of fun and excitement to the Barsana Holi festivities.

Kans Quila, Mathura

As they say, every glorious hero needs a villain. In Lord Krishna's case, it was his own maternal uncle, Kans. And Kans Quila is a fort named after him. Located on the mount of the Yamuna River, this ancient monument is just walking distance from Gau Ghat, another popular tourist attraction in Mathura. 

The fort is known for its stunning architecture, which combines Hindu and Muslim styles of building, signifying the unity of both these cultures. Many tourists come here to admire its beauty and also soak in the various stores attached to it. 

Shree Dwarkadhish Temple, Mathura

One of the largest and oldest temples in Mathura, Shree Dwarkadhish Temple attracts several devotees and other tourists from all over the world. Built by Seth Gokul Das Parikh in 1814, the temple has a beautiful idol of Lord Krishna but without his flute or the peacock feather, the usual things that are associated with the Lord. 

In this 200-year-old shrine, the idol is made of black marble, and he is depicted as the Dwarkanath or the ‘King of Dwarka.’ Besides, the Lord's idol is the idol Goddess Radha, which is made of white marble. 

Apart from the unique depiction of the Lord, the temple is also known for its strikingly beautiful architecture and intricate carvings on the walls and pillars. The temple boasts a Rajasthani style of architecture and has a wide-open courtyard, making it one of the best tourist places in Mathura Vrindavan. 

While you may visit the temple any time of the year, the best time is during the swing festival, which is celebrated during the start of the monsoon in June. During the festival, the idols of the Lords are beautifully decorated and placed on a silver swing. The sight is a visual treat, and thousands of devotees come to see it. 

Vishram Ghat, Mathura

If you are going to Mathura, you must visit Vishram Ghat. The locals and tourists love it. It is counted among the best places to visit in Mathura Vrindavan. Among the 25 ghats in the region, it is considered the most sacred one and has an interesting legend associated with it. 

It is believed that Lord Krishna came here to this ghat after killing his uncle Kansa and took a rest. The ghat is built out of marble stone and has a beautiful arch atop it. Once you reach the top of the ghat, you get a bird-eye view of the city below, and the sight of the evening aarti is truly mesmerizing!

Kusum Sarovar, Mathura

Legend has it that Radha used to collect flowers and meet the love of her life. Rated highly among the top five Mathura and Vrindavan places to visit, this massive tank is about 450 feet loan and about 60 feet deep. 

Many tourists come here to take a dip in the water as they consider it holy. From the banks of this beautiful water body, you can enjoy the view of the greenery around the beautifully carved cenotaphs that house the tombs of the erstwhile rulers of Bharatpur, which add to the beauty and charm of the place.

Places to Visit in Vrindavan: 

• Prem Mandir

• ISKCON Temple

• Sri Rangnath Ji Mandir

• Keshi Ghat

• Gopeshwar Mahadev Temple
   

Prem Mandir, Vrindavan

One of the most important pilgrimage places in India, Vrindavan city is a holy land where you can find tales of Lord Krishna from every corner. And, amongst all the popular spots in the city, none capture the true essence of this sacred land better than Prem Mandir. 

Built by Jagatguru Kripalu Ji Maharaj, one of the most famous devotees of Radha Krishna, the name of the temple, Prem Mandir, literally translates to ‘the temple of love.’ The temple was designed and crafted by a team of 1000 workers and artisans from Gujarat, and it took almost 11 years to complete this temple. 

An important highlight of this temple is the stunning sculptures and intricate carvings you find all around it. A major part of the temple is open, and it is best to visit it after sunset and enjoy the scintillating light and fountain show; it is a beautiful spectacle that you must not miss. 

ISKCON Temple, Vrindavan

ISKCON temple in Vrindavan is among the top places to visit in Mathura Vrindavan and is popular worldwide. While you are in this divine city, you must definitely visit this temple. It has gorgeous architecture and a spiritual vibe all around. The devotional setting will surely make every minute you spend here worthwhile. 

The locals in the region also refer to the temple as the Sri Krishna-Balram Mandir, and the temple complex is as serene as it gets. The temple features idols of Lord Krishna, his brother Lord Balram, and Goddess Radha. The temple also acts as a centre for spiritual learning and offers many education programs, lectures and workshops on Vedic philosophy and teachings of Lord Krishna. 

Sri Rangnath Ji Mandir, Vrindavan

Dedicated to Lord Rangnath, a form of Lord Vishnu, this is one of the most popular temples in Vrindavan. A unique aspect of this temple is the architecture; it is built in the south Indian Dravidian style. Apart from its distinctive appearance, the temple also has a rich and unique history that dates back to the 1850s. 

The temple was built by a few South Indian merchants who were also devoted followers of Lord Vishnu. Apart from its striking outer beauty and magnificent architecture, the temple also has a very different type of idol of the main deity, Lord Rangnath, which is very similar to the ones you see in the temples of south India. 

You can see the Lord Rangnath reclining on the divine serpent, Adishesha, and the idol is believed to be carved out of a single Saligram black stone. The idol is a symbol of the Lord Vishnu's cosmic form. As soon as you enter the main sanctum, you may feel a divine aura filling your heart and mind, and you can experience a profound connection with the supreme Lord. 

Keshi Ghat, Vrindavan

Nestled on the banks of the Holy River Yamuna, Keshi Ghat is an important place of worship in Vrindavan. The ghat has a very scenic landscape, and many devotees and travellers come here to take a boat ride over the river Yamuna and enjoy the city view from a different angle. 

You can also see many spiritual travellers on the ghat who come here to mediate and connect with their inner selves. As per Hindu legend, the ghat is named after a demon of the same name. He was sent by the wicked King Kansa, Lord Krishna's maternal uncle, to kill Krishna. 

The demon took the form of a gigantic horse and attached the Lord with full force, and a fierce battle ensued between the two. In the end, Lord Krishna defeated the demon and killed him. Hence, people coming to Vrindavan consider the ghat a sacred sight and offer their prayers here. 

It holds great significance during religious festivals, and every day, an Arti is performed on the banks of the river to honour the saviour of the entire universe, Lord Krishna. It is believed that taking a dip in the river at this sight removes fear from the mind and soul. 

Gopeshwar Mahadev Temple, Vrindavan

Vrindavan is one of the most popular pilgrimage places in India for a good reason. It is home to some of the most important and unique temples in the country. One such fine example is the Gopeshwar Mahadev Temple, devoted to Lord Shiva. 

An interesting aspect of this temple is that the divine Shivling here blends masculine and feminine powers of nature. Shivling is worshipped as male during the day from 6 AM to 10 AM. Later, the lingam is dressed as a gopi and, decorated with elaborate ornaments and worshipped as female at night from 5 PM to 9 PM at Rasleela is performed. 

The Hindu religion, which is one of the most followed religions in the country, has a deep-rooted culture and tradition. And while you explore the different parts of Mathura and Vrindavan, you can see a strong impression of these cultures and traditions all around. All in all, Mathura and Vrindavan are wonderful tourist places that will instantly win your heart and give you unlimited moments of joy and peace.