• Understand
• Get in
• Get around
• See
• Do
• Buy
• Eat
• Drink
• Sleep
• Stay safe
• Get out

Kesi Ghat and the Yamuna River. The word "Radha" is repeatedly written on the side in the Devanagari alphabet.

Vrindavan, also spelled Brindavan, is a holy town in Uttar Pradesh.

[edit] Understand

The town stands on the original forest of Vrindavana where the Hindu deity Krishna spent his childhood, on the banks of the Yamuna river. Numerous mythical events are said to have occurred here: this is where Krishna stole the clothes of the bathing maidens (gopis), wooed his lover Radha and fought an entire succession of demons. Consequently, it is a major pilgrimage destination for Hindus, and features by some counts as many as 5000 temples.

Vrindavan is also known as the City of Widows. By Hindu tradition, widows may not remarry, and many of those abandoned by their families on the death of their husband make their way here. In exchange for singing bhajan hymns for 7-8 hours in bhajanashrams, they are given a meal and a pittance of money (around Rs.10), which they try to supplement by begging on the streets or through prostitution. If they fall ill, no money is paid, and the trusts that operate the ashrams are regularly accused to skimming off vast amounts from the donations.

[edit] Get in

Vrindavan is about 150 km south of Delhi. The nearest train station is Vrindavan's twin holy town Mathura, 12 km (20 min) away by rickshaw. A one-way ride from Vrindavan's train station will cost you Rs.100 upwards.

[edit] Get around

The core of Vrindavan is much too congested even for an autorickshaw, so the only way to get around is on foot. Signage in English is non-existent, so you'll either need to ask for directions constantly or, an easier choice, hire a guide to show you around. (Your rickshaw driver will be more than happy to find you one.)

[edit] See

Govinda Dev Temple

Entry into all temples is free, but have some coins handy for the shoe handlers. Many temples prohibit photography inside, so enquire when in doubt.

• Jaigurudeo Temple,[1].also named "Naam Yog Sadhna Mandir" is constructed by gerat saints Baba Jaigurudeo,[2]. It resembles the Tajmahal, built with white marble. It is a unique temple in that you are prohibited from donating if you are a non-vegeterian.

• Bankey Bihari, [3]. The best-known temple in Vrindavan, home to a Krishna idol known as Thakur-ji. The idol's eyes are said to be so powerful that it is kept hidden from view behind a curtain, which is opened and closed every few minutes.

• Govinda Dev Mandir. Built by Man Singh of Jaipur in 1590, this squat, bulky temple reportedly had four stories lopped off during Aurangzeb's reign of terror. These days it's just infested by monkeys.

• Krishna Balaram Mandir, better known as the ISKCON Temple, [4]. A major draw for Hare Krishna (ISKCON) pilgrims to India, and uniquely among Vrindavan's temples well equipped to deal with foreign visitors. Free breakfast and lunch are available, but no accommodation.

• Kesi Ghat, by the Yamuna. According to the legend, this is where Krishna killed the demon Kesi and then bathed to celebrate. Aarti (prayer lamps) are offered to the Yamuna here every evening.

• Seva Kunj. Planted with countless tulsi (holy basil) trees, this is the garden where gopis dance for Krishna at night, and where Krishna and his lover Radha spend the night locked in the Moti Mahal.

• Rangji Mandir, [5]. The single largest temple in Vrindavan, built in 1851 in a South Indian style, complete with intricate seven-story gopuram (gateway) at the entrance. Inside is a 50-ft high wooden chariot, taken out yearly for festivals, and in the inner courtyard is the 50-ft high gold-plated pillar known as Dhwaja Stambha.

[edit] Do

Offerings to Krishna and Radha beneath a snake during the Brahmotsava Festival, Rangji Mandir

• The Brahmotsava Festival, held for ten days after Holi (February/March), is the largest in Vrindavan and can draw up to 100,000 visitors. On the main day, known as Ratha Ka Mela, a giant wooden chariot is pulled by devotees from the Rangji temple to its gardens and back.

[edit] Buy

[edit] Eat

The best places to eat in Vrindavan.

1. SWASTIK RESTAURANT Located at Vidyapeeth Crossing. Swastik is a multi cuisine restaurant in HOTEL THE SHUBHAM. Restaurant is well furnished, Air-conditioned, good clean ambiance. Restaurant serves a range of North Indian, South Indian, Chienese, Continental delicacies.

2. NAIVAIDYAM RESTAURANT

Located again near Vidyapeeth Crossing, within HOTEL SHUBHAM HOLIDAYS. Restaurant is well furnished, Air-conditioned, good clean ambiance. Restaurant serves a range of North Indian, South Indian, Chienese, Continental delicacies.

[edit] Drink

[edit] Sleep

Best places to stay at Vrindavan

1. HOTEL THE SHUBHAM

A city hotel with well furnished rooms, with air-conditioning, CTV, Room Service, 24 Hrs Hot and Cold running water. Hotel also in-houses a multi cuisine restaurant SWASTIK. Tariff for air conditioned room is approx. Rs. 1000 (30$) (Double Occupancy)

Address: Hotel The Shubham, Vidyapeeth Crossing, Vrindavan, U.P. INDIA. Ph: +91-565-2456025, 2443011, e-mail: info@shubhamhotels.com website: www.shubhamhotels.com website: www.shubhamhotels.in

2. HOTEL SHUBHAM HOLIDAYS

Another city hotel with well furnished rooms, with air-conditioning, CTV, Room Service, 24 Hrs Hot and Cold running water. Hotel also in-houses a multi cuisine restaurant NAIVAIDYAM. This hotel has a total of 40 rooms which includes two bed, three bed and a few four bed rooms. Tariff for air conditioned rooms are approx. Rs. 1000-1500 ($30-$50) for two, three and four bed rooms.

Address: HOTEL SHUBHAM HOLIDAYS, Near Vidyapeeth Crossing, Gandhi Road, Vrindavan, U.P. INDIA. Ph: +91-565-2456501, 2456502, e-mail: info@shubhamhotels.com website: www.shubhamhotels.com website: www.shubhamhotels.in

[edit] Stay safe

Like all Hindu holy towns, the chaos and squalor of Vrindavan can get pretty intense.

Vrindavan is absolutely infested with monkeys, who are adept at stealing cameras, glasses, food and anything you're not keeping a close eye on. Wear contacts or go without if you can.

[edit] Get out

• Mathura