Situated 15 Km from Mathura, Vrindavan with 5,000 temples it is an spiritual destination in India.

Vrindavan - The City Of Temples, synonymous with Lord Krishna’s childhood years is an important pilgrimage destination for Hindus. It attracts over 500,000 devotees annually, especially during chief festivals - Janmashtami, Holi and Radhashtami. The temples here are architecturally the most advanced in North India. It is the centre for centuries-old tradition Vaishava – widows spend their lives in solitude here. 

History of Vrindavan

Vrindavan receives its name from the sacred tulsi (basil) plant. The town was founded in 1590 with the creation of Govinda Deo temple. Popular belief states, the town was once a tulsi grove, while other believe it was named after Krishna's consort -Vrinda Devi.

The extensive forests of Vrindavan have been subjected to urbanization in the last 250 years, initially by Kings and today by apartment developers. Unlike ancient times, the local wildlife, including peacocks, cows, monkeys and birds has considerably squeezed. Today, cows are found only in gosalas of the main Ashrams of Vrindavan.

Tourism in Vrindavan

Vrindavan, being a spiritual destination in India is overflowing with temples. Other points of interest include Seva Kunj, Kesi Ghat, Raj Ghat, Kusuma Sarovar, Imli Tal, Kaliya Ghat, Raman Reti, Varaha Ghat and Chira Ghat. The samadhi (mediation seat) shrine of Devraha Baba, a revered saint of the last century is a short boat-ride away.

The four main temples where devotees flock in huge numbers are Madan Mohan, Govinda Deva, Gopinath, and Jugal Kishore.

Madan Mohan Temple, 60 feet high, built in 1580 on a 50 feet hill - Dvadasaditya Tila, adjacent to the river Yamuna. Established by Srila Sanatana Gosvami, it was the first Gosvami temple created in Vrindavan. It houses the bhajan kutir, samadhi of Sanatana Gosvami, puspa-samadhis of Candrasekhara Acarya and Tapana Misra.  

Banke Bihari Temple, built in 1862 is the most popular shrine at Vrindavan. Swami Haridas a strong devotee of Krishna discovered the image of Banke-Bihari in Nidhi Vana.

A wealthy jeweller - Shah Kundan Lal of Lucknow, built Sahji Temple, renowned for its magnificent marble sculpture and twelve spiral columns each 15 feet high, in 1876. Its’ darbar hall - Basanti Kamra is famous for Belgian glass chandeliers and fine paintings.

Jaipur Temple with unparalleled workmanship is an opulently embellished sandstone temple, dedicated to Sri Radha Madhava. Maharaja of Jaipur- Sawai Madho Singh II built it in 1917.   

Govind Deo Temple built in 1590, displays a unique combination of Western, Indian and Persian architecture. It was a magnificent seven-storied structure built in the form of a Greek that was later destroy6ed by Mughal ruler Aurangzeb.

Sri Radha Raman Mandir constructed around 1542 by Gopala Bhatta Goswami is amongst the exquisitely crafted and revered temples of Vrindavan. Even today, the original saligram deity of Krishna, alongside Radharani shines with reverence.

The Seva Kunj is the place where Lord Krishna performed the Raaslila with Radha-Rani and the gopis. In addition, the samadhi of Swami Haridas, guru of legendary musician Tansen, situated here. In his honour, Swami Haridas Sammelan organized annually, where renowned Indian musicians participate.