A guide to
48 hours in Mathura
And Vrindavan

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Photo: Andrey Khrobostov / Alamy Stock Photo

[{ "selector": ".reqha-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "750ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": 1} ] }] Brajbhoomi, the land where Lord Krishna was born, straddles the River Yamuna in Uttar Pradesh. At its centre lies the cities of Mathura and Vrindavan. Here’s a quick guide to what to eat, sleep and do in 48 hours.

Photo: Unsplash

[{ "selector": ".uqjjr-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "750ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": 1} ] }] A 50km drive from Agra airport, Mathura also lies three hours by road from Delhi, and a half-hour drive from Vrindavan.

Photo:Sharvari Mehendale / Alamy Stock Photo

[{ "selector": ".rizfk-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "750ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": 1} ] }] In early winter, the temperature is ideal for a soak in the river or a trek. Or time your visit around Hindu festivals such as Janmashtami, celebrating Krishna’s birth. Mathura comes alive with colour during Holi, while the nearby towns of Barsana and Nandgaon have a week-long celebration.

Photo: Andrey Khrobostov / Alamy Stock Photo

While Mathura offers more hotels such as The Lalita Grand, many stay in Vrindavan. The Mayapur Vrindavan Trust (MVT) Guesthouse and Restaurant serves pizza and is near the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Temple. Nearby restaurant Govinda’s is popular too. [{ "selector": ".cghnz-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "750ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": 1} ] }]

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A six-hour circuitous trek in Govardhan town leads to the top of this 80ft-tall hill. Dip in the Radha Kund and Shyam Kund with temples steeped in Krishna lore and look out for Giriraj Temple. Or swap the trek for nearby Barsana, said to be the home of Krishna’s beloved, Radha. [{ "selector": ".rgfnt-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "750ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": 1} ] }]

Photo: Andrey Khrobostov / Alamy Stock Photo

Ornate murals adorn this shrine in Mathura to Krishna, in his manifestation as Dwarkadhish. Visit this temple to decipher stories of his life through the stunning ceiling paintings. Entry is allowed from two gates, which lead to the two-storey structure fronted by a courtyard. [{ "selector": ".grukl-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "750ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": 1} ] }]

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Said to be the home of the demon king Kansa, the maternal uncle of Krishna, the fort Kans Qila lies in majestic ruins today. The walls of the palatial fort reveal intricacies of Rajput and Mughal architectural styles, narrating stories of the various rulers who took over its care over centuries. [{ "selector": ".xpkms-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "750ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": 1} ] }]

Photo: Anubhuti Krishna

Sweet and savoury treats abound in the streets off Mathura's Holi Gate. Get kachoris and jalebis at Oma Pehalwan Kachauri Wale, one of Mathura’s oldest. For bedai and dubki wale aloo, Shankar Mithai Wala Is a local favourite. Leave with Mathura ka peda from Brijwasi Sweets. [{ "selector": ".nrgpr-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "750ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": 1} ] }]

Photo: Roman Sidelnikov / Alamy Stock Photo

Krishna’s six main disciples built 7 shrines. Make the 3-hr trail to Radha Damodar Temple, Radha Gokulananda Temple, Radha Gopinath Temple, Radha Shyamsundar Temple, Radha Raman Temple, Radha Govindadeva Temple and Radha Madanmohan Temple for Vrindavan’s earliest temple architecture. [{ "selector": ".bxdiq-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "750ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": 1} ] }]

Photo: Joachim Bago / Alamy Stock Photo

On the way back, visit the ISKCON Temple built in 1975 by Srila Prabhupada, founder of the ISKCON movement. There are book stalls, a museum, eateries and a guesthouse . Find a spot beforehand to catch the Raj Bhog aarti at 12pm right before the temple closes for the afternoon. [{ "selector": ".sqllu-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "750ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": 1} ] }]

Photo: Philippe Lissac / Godong / Getty Images

It is believed that the sight of the idol of Shri Krishna in his childhood form at Shri Bankey Bihari Temple is a harbinger of good luck, which is why even the streets of Keshi Ghat in front of the temple, is flooded with pilgrims even before the temple opens. [{ "selector": ".vxsky-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "750ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": 1} ] }]

Photo: Dinodia Photos / Alamy Stock Photo

Next, head to the basil forest Nidhivan, where the extant idol of Bankey Bihari was originally consecrated, close to Shri Bankey Bihari Temple. Watch out for monkeys in the forest while you cross the Rang Mahal temple, where Radha is believed to visit every night. [{ "selector": ".ikdgp-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "750ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": 1} ] }]

Photo: Lucas Vallecillos / Alamy Stock Photo

As dusk settles over the river, bonfires are lit on the shore. At Keshi Ghat and the adjacent Loi Bazaar, gorge on samosas and rabri, kulhad chai and aloo chaat, and stop by Shri Brijwasi for peda. Take a boat to the opposite bank to watch the special hour-long aarti at 6am and 4.30pm. [{ "selector": ".ouahk-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "750ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": 1} ] }]

Photo: Lucas Vallecillos / Alamy Stock Photo

This 54-acre site developed by Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat has educational centres and pillarless satsang halls, and the temple is a stunning example of Nagara architecture in Italian marble. Post sunset, the structure’s facade is illuminated, with a musical fountain show at 7.30pm. [{ "selector": ".yarql-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "750ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": 1} ] }]

Photo:

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A guide to
48 hours in Mathura
And Vrindavan

By: Ria Gupta

Photo: Godong / Alamy Stock Photo

Photo: Andrey Khrobostov / Alamy Stock Photo

The sacred cities of Mathura
And Vrindavan

Photo: Unsplash

Getting there

Photo:Sharvari Mehendale / Alamy Stock Photo

When to go

Photo: Andrey Khrobostov / Alamy Stock Photo

Where to stay in Mathura
and Vrindavan

Photo: bodam / Alamy Stock Photo

Day 1: Trek Govardhan Hill
near Mathura

Photo: Andrey Khrobostov / Alamy Stock Photo

Day 1: Dwarkadhish Temple,
Mathura

Photo: Dinodia Photos / Alamy Stock Photo

Day 1: Kans Qila, Mathura

Photo: Anubhuti Krishna

Day 1: Gorge on Mathura’s
Famous street food

Photo: Roman Sidelnikov / Alamy Stock Photo

Day 2: Trail the seven Goswami
Temples, Vrindavan

Photo: Joachim Bago / Alamy Stock Photo

Day 2: Sri Sri Krishna Balaram
Mandir, Vrindavan

Photo: Philippe Lissac / Godong / Getty Images

Day 2: Shri Bankey Bihari
Temple, Vrindavan

Photo: Dinodia Photos / Alamy Stock Photo

Day 2: Nidhivan, Vrindavan

Photo: Lucas Vallecillos / Alamy Stock Photo

Day 2: Street food by
Keshi Ghat, Vrindavan

Photo: Lucas Vallecillos / Alamy Stock Photo

Day 2: The light show at
Prem Mandir, Vrindavan

Photo:

For more such stories

Photo: Unsplash

click here

A guide to 48 hours in MathuraAnd Vrindavan

By: Ria Gupta

Photo: Godong / Alamy Stock Photo

Photo: Andrey Khrobostov / Alamy Stock Photo

The sacred cities of MathuraAnd Vrindavan

Photo: Unsplash

Getting there

Photo:Sharvari Mehendale / Alamy Stock Photo

When to go

Photo: Andrey Khrobostov / Alamy Stock Photo

Where to stay in Mathura and Vrindavan

Photo: bodam / Alamy Stock Photo

Day 1: Trek Govardhan Hill near Mathura

Photo: Andrey Khrobostov / Alamy Stock Photo

Day 1: Dwarkadhish Temple,Mathura

Photo: Dinodia Photos / Alamy Stock Photo

Day 1: Kans Qila, Mathura

Photo: Anubhuti Krishna

Day 1: Gorge on Mathura’sFamous street food

Photo: Roman Sidelnikov / Alamy Stock Photo

Day 2: Trail the seven GoswamiTemples, Vrindavan

Photo: Joachim Bago / Alamy Stock Photo

Day 2: Sri Sri Krishna BalaramMandir, Vrindavan

Photo: Philippe Lissac / Godong / Getty Images

Day 2: Shri Bankey Bihari Temple, Vrindavan

Photo: Dinodia Photos / Alamy Stock Photo

Day 2: Nidhivan, Vrindavan

Photo: Lucas Vallecillos / Alamy Stock Photo

Day 2: Street food byKeshi Ghat, Vrindavan

Photo: Lucas Vallecillos / Alamy Stock Photo

Day 2: The light show atPrem Mandir, Vrindavan

Photo:

For more such stories

Photo: Unsplash

click here

A guide to
48 hours in Mathura
And Vrindavan

The sacred cities of Mathura
And Vrindavan

Where to stay in Mathura
and Vrindavan

Day 1: Trek Govardhan Hill
near Mathura

Day 1: Dwarkadhish Temple,
Mathura

Day 1: Gorge on Mathura’s
Famous street food

Day 2: Trail the seven Goswami
Temples, Vrindavan

Day 2: Sri Sri Krishna Balaram
Mandir, Vrindavan

Day 2: Shri Bankey Bihari
Temple, Vrindavan

Day 2: Street food by
Keshi Ghat, Vrindavan

Day 2: The light show at
Prem Mandir, Vrindavan