VRINDAVAN|JAIPUR
The
moment you step into Mathura, you feel the air shift – the chants, the temple
bells, and the calm flow of the Yamuna River all whisper stories of Lord
Krishna. With a heart full of excitement and devotion, we began the journey to
Vrindavan Dham.
Day
1 – Sunrise at Vishram Ghat & Exploring Vrindavan’s Local temples
We
arrived early morning at Mathura Railway Station and took a short drive to
Vishram Ghat, just in time to witness the golden sunrise on the Yamuna. Taking
a dip in the holy river as the sun emerged from the horizon felt purifying the
tiredness of the journey was gone now.
We then stopped by a local sweetshop nearby for a hearty plate of Chole Bhature– crispy, spicy, and
Upon
reaching, we checked into our hotel, freshened up, and began our temple trail
with a visit to the ISKCON Temple.We first visited Srila Prabhupads Samadhi and
then went to the the temple to have darshan od Sri Krishna Balaram sat there
for a while and then went to Prabhupads residence and sat there for a while too
and then roamed through the various goft shops in isckon.
After a whole hour of exploring every corner
of the temple we where all hungry so we moved to the Govinda’s Restaurant for
our Lunch.
In
the evening we went to the Local Temples
The
Legacy of the Six Goswamis – Temples That Echo Devotion
Vrindavan’s
spiritual soul is deeply shaped by the contributions of the Six Goswamis of
Vrindavan, disciples of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu who brought the bhakti
movement to life. Each of them built or inspired temples that continue to
radiate devotion and divine grace.
1.Radha Shyam Temple – Beautifully calm
2.Radha Damodar Temple –Jiva Goswami, the
greatest scholar among them, left behind profound spiritual writings. His Radha
Damodar Temple not only holds his samadhi but also Rupa Goswami’s bhajan kutir,
making it a deeply sacred site.This temple also was home to srila prabhupad for
few months he used to do his transcription here his room is kept as it is and a
replica of prabhupada is kept there. Since we went during the karthika maas we
could attend the damodar aarti at the radha damodar temple at the correct time
it was so special.
3.Imli Tala– the very tree where
Lord Krishna once meditated.
4.Radha Raman Temple – known for its
self-manifested deity of Krishna. Worshipped by Gopal Bhatta Goswami at
the time.He is known for his simplicity
and devotion, Gopal Bhatta witnessed the miraculous self-manifestation of the
deity at Radha Raman Temple, where the Shaligram stone turned into Krishna
Himself — an unmatched spiritual event.The deity is so beautiful and real you
can see the smilling face sri radha raman with his teeth visible occasionally.
5.Radha Gopinath
Temple
– Radha Gopinath is considered to be one among
the oldest temple in vrindavan located at the bank of Yamuna Ji.Vrajanabha,
Lord Krishna's great-grandson, installed the original Gopinath Deity in
Vrindavan over five-thousand years ago. About five-hundred years ago,
Paramananda Bhattacharya discovered the Deity in the earth at Banshivat on the
banks of the Yamuna. Madhu Pandit Goswami, a disciple of Shri Gadadhar Pandit
close associate of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, worshiped the Gopinath Deity.
6.Radha Govind Dev Ji
Temple-Rupa
Goswami, the principal architect of Gaudiya Vaishnavism, gave Vrindavan its
spiritual map. The Govind Dev Ji Temple, once a seven-story wonder, is a symbol
of his theological brilliance and deep love for Krishna.
7.Madan Mohan Temple-As the elder Goswami
and a spiritual guide, Sanatana’s teachings formed the base of Vaishnav
scriptures. The Madan Mohan Temple, situated on a hill near the Yamuna, is the
oldest temple in Vrindavan and offers both spiritual and scenic serenity.
8.Radha Gokulananda
Temple-Home
to the samadhis of rahunath bhatta goswami and raghunath das Goswami. Raghunath
Bhatta A devotee known for his melodious kirtans and service, Raghunath
Bhatta’s legacy is tied to adha Gokulananda Temple, where his samadhi stands as
a tribute to his pure devotion. Raghunath Das Renowned for his deep
renunciation and love for Radha-Krishna, Raghunath Das’s bhajan kutir and
samadhi also lie within Radha Gokulananda Temple, making it a powerful place of
surrender and bhakti.
These
temples are not just structures but living legacies, carrying the energy,
wisdom, and love of the six Goswamis. Visiting them brings an indescribable
connection to the original roots of devotion in Vrindavan.
Day
2 – Temples, Yamuna Boating & The Mystical Nidhivan
The
second day began with visits to other local temples – each exuding quiet grace
and spiritual strength. The local temples of Vrindavan preserve intimate lilas
of Radha-Krishna and house centuries of tradition passed down by saints and
devotees.
We
then headed for a serene boat ride on the Yamuna. The calm water, fluttering
diyas, and distant sounds of temple bells made it feel like a time-traveling
journey into divine pastimes.
Our next stop was the energetic and colorful Banke Bihari Temple, where Krishna’s deity is said to appear in the most charming form. Then came the Radha Valaabh Temple, towering above the town, followed by the mysterious **Nidhivan**, where legend says Radha and Krishna still dance every night – a place where even birds and monkeys fall silent by dusk.
Day
3 – A Trip To Jaipur
Day 3 took us
on a slightly different path — a journey to Jaipur, not just for the
colors of the Pink City, but for a deeper reason rooted in devotion and
history.
Our agenda
was clear: to visit the original
temples where the sacred deities of Vrindavan were relocated
during the Mughal invasions. As the temples in Vrindavan faced destruction, the
Goswamis, with unshakable faith and foresight, secretly transported the deities
to safer lands. Jaipur, under the protection of Hindu kings, became their new
home.
1.Radha Govind
Dev Ji Temple
We first
visited the Radha
Govind Dev Ji Temple, originally installed in Vrindavan by Srila Rupa Goswami.
It is said that when Emperor Aurangzeb’s forces began demolishing temples, this
deity was swiftly moved to Jaipur. The most mysterious thing of this temple
here is that Govind ji here wears a wrist watch which originally only works on
pulse of humans and here the watch works when he wears it on his wrist and
stops once removed from his hand which proves that the deity here is a living
form not a statue.
2.Radha Gopinath
Temple
Next was the
serene Radha
Gopinath Temple, where Srila
Madhu Pandit Goswami’s beloved deities now reside. These
deities are said to have once been worshipped under the sacred Vamshi Vata
tree in Vrindavan — a place where Lord Krishna played His flute for the Gopis.
The atmosphere here was soaked in ancient grace, and the temple’s intricate
Rajasthani architecture added to the reverence.
3.Radha Damodar
Temple
Our final
spiritual stop was the Radha
Damodar Temple, originally served by Srila Jiva Goswami.
The temple was quiet, peaceful, and full of heartfelt bhajans being sung softly
in the background. It's believed that this deity was especially dear to the
Goswamis, and being in front of Him in this setting — far from His original
home — was both moving and meditative.
With our hearts full, we did a quick visit to Hawa Mahal, the famed palace of winds, and wandered through the local bazaars, buying trinkets, bangles, and some Rajasthani fabrics as souvenirs of this vivid city.
By late
evening, we began our return journey to Mathura,
reminiscing the sacred stories and heroic efforts that preserved these divine
forms. The next evening, we boarded our train — with a suitcase of memories and
a heart steeped in devotion.
Day-4 Govardhan Parikrama
Before
setting out, we made a quick pit stop at Shri Giriraj Mishtan Bhandar, a
trusted local gem. Their kachori, chole bhature, and syrupy jalebis
felt so good. A breakfast so satisfying, it almost made us forget we had 21
kilometers to walk.
We began our day by offering obeisances to Giriraj Maharaj, seeking His mercy to complete the sacred 21 km parikrama. It is said that unless Govardhan blesses you, you cannot complete even a single step around Him. With folded hands and grateful hearts, we prayed for strength and surrender.
The
parikrama path beside the hill was truly unlike any other — a soft,
sandy trail that felt gentle under our bare feet. There were no sharp
stones, no prickles — just soft dust, almost like atta (flour).
According to legend, Krishna used to bring the cows here for grazing,
and the cows lovingly trampled and crushed all the stones with their hooves so
that Shri Krishna’s lotus feet would never be hurt. To this day, the
path remains just as soft and sacred — untouched by time, yet filled with
eternity.
We
started the parikrama around 9:30 AM, walking clockwise with Govardhan
Hill always on our right, as tradition dictates. The journey was long but
incredibly fulfilling.
We
paused at several sacred kunds and temples, each holding a story, a
leela, a blessing:
- Radha
Kund & Shyam Kund: The holiest of the holy. It’s
believed that Krishna Himself comes here daily, drawn by Radha’s
pure love. A dip here is said to grant liberation.
- Mansi
Ganga:
A spiritual lake created by Krishna’s mind. Devotees often bathe
here before starting or ending the parikrama. We offered prayers and just
sat in silence, letting the calmness seep into us.
- Mukharvind:
The sacred spot where Govardhan’s “face” is worshipped. We saw
devotees pouring milk, honey, and ghee as abhishek, whispering
prayers only Giriraj could hear.
- Govind
Kund:
A beautiful water body where Krishna bathed after defeating Indra,
and where demigods came to offer their respects. It is surrounded by
calmness and stories that live in the air.
- Kusum
Sarovar:
A stunning, lotus-filled sarovar where Radharani would come to pick
flowers for Krishna. The architecture around it is mesmerizing, and
the reflections of the domes in the water looked straight out of another
realm.
- Samadhis
of the Goswamis:
As we neared this revered area, we could feel the shift in energy. The air
was thick with the austerity, devotion, and wisdom of Rupa,
Sanatan, Jiva, and other Goswamis, who gave their lives to revive
Vrindavan's lost glory. Sitting there felt like sitting at the feet of the
true servants of the Lord.
Throughout
the parikrama we had so many monkeys but
none disturbed our way they where decent monkey devotees I guess they
dint trouble us unlike other places. Some families had set up stalls offering lemon
water, cane juice gur and prasadam – not for business, but as seva to
help the devotees who are doing parikrama.The values in the villages are
really different they treat everyone like family.
After
nearly 9 hours, many mantras, and a lifetime of memories, we returned
back to our starting point — and once again landed at Giriraj Mishtan
Bhandar, this time for their signature lassi. Thick, creamy, topped
with a generous layer of malai, it was the perfect conclusion to our
spiritual marathon.
Day
5- And The Last Day
Our final
morning in Vrindavan began in the most soul-stirring way — with the Mangal Aarti at ISKCON
Temple. As the clock struck 4:30 AM, we stood among a sea of
devotees, our eyes half-open but hearts wide awake. The temple, glowing in soft
golden light, echoed with the rhythmic kartals,
mrdangas, and the sweet
voices singing 'Jaya Radha Madhava'. It wasn’t just music — it
felt like the soul
of Vrindavan humming to Krishna's tune.
After the
Aarti, we sat in Srila
Prabhupada’s bhajan kutir, a small room filled with his divine
presence. The chanting here was different — slower, deeper, and immensely
powerful. It was as if time stood still. Sitting where he once lived and
chanted, you feel nothing but gratitude for being able to share even a sliver
of this holy atmosphere.
Next on our
list was something that modern times have made easier — a Vrindavan Parikrama by
auto. From Yamuna
ghats to the Seva
Kunj, Nidhivan,
and Imli
Tala, we zipped through the heart of Vrindavan while soaking in
the sacred energy of these leela sthalis. The narrow lanes, the vibrant walls
painted with “Radhe Radhe,” and the soft dust of Vrindavan – everything felt so
divine.
Returning to ISKCON, we bought a fresh flower garland for Krishna Balaram, beautifully woven with mogra and roses. Offering it at the altar during Guru Puja, we felt a quiet contentment. The darshan, with the deities dressed in shimmering silk and the fragrance of sandalwood in the air, was the perfect end to our temple trail.
For our final
breakfast in Vrindavan, there was no better place than Govinda’s,
the temple restaurant. With its sattvik buffet and the calming music in the
background, it’s the place where food
feels like prasadam in every bite. We relished the paneer paratha, sabzi,
and halwa, all served with love and that unmistakable ISKCON
warmth.
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