15 Best Places to Visit in Mathura, Vrindavan, Gokul 2024 within 100 Kms

Mathura, Vrindavan, and Gokul, located on the banks of the holy Yamuna River in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, attract visitors with an extensive combination of history, spirituality, and culture. Mathura, Lord Krishna’s birthplace, is only 11 kilometers from Vrindavan, where the young deity spent his formative years, and around 16 kilometers from Gokul, where he is said to have had his early childhood journeys.

Aside from their religious significance, these places provide a variety of attractions, such as historic temples, vibrant markets, peaceful ghats, and beautiful gardens, all blessed with the eternal charm of Krishna consciousness. Mathura region is surrounded by many sights that you can enjoy with your friends and family.

There are numerous Ghats in Mathura that tourists can visit. The best time to visit these holy places is during the Holi Festival (February/March) and Janmashtami (August/September) festivals when the surrounding environment is filled with passionate devotion and joyful celebrations. While most places of worship in Mathura, Vrindavan, and Gokul are free to visit, some historical monuments might charge a small fee for maintenance.

It is highly recommended that you visit Mathura and Vrindavan in 2024 during these festivals and experience such a magical atmosphere as it will be once in a lifetime experience.

Top 11 Places to Visit in Mathura:

There are various places that make Mathura a famous tourist attraction destination. Here we have mentioned some of the major attractions of this divine religious and adventure tour.

1. Govardhan Hill:

Govardhan Hill is made up of sandstone and stands at approximately 80 feet tall. It is believed that when Lord Krishna was a kid he lifted the Govardhan hill on his finger and protected the Mathura village from rain and thunderstorms. It is a peaceful and divine place that is visited by devotees of Lord Krishna throughout the year. This is also the reason behind Govardhan Puja, which is an auspicious festival of Hindus and it is celebrated a day after Diwali.

• Location: Giriraj Govardhan Colony      
• Timings: All through the day

2. Kusum Sarovar:

Kusum Sarovar is a beautiful, calm, and peaceful reservoir. In the 18th century, Jawahar Singh built this monumental structure. Kusum Sarovar is believed to be the place where Radha used to collect flowers and meet Lord Krishna. This place is surrounded by tranquillity. It is one of the best places to enjoy the sunset with your friends and family.

• Location: Radha Kund
• Timings: All through the day

3. Krishna Janmasthana Temple:

It is a holy place for Hindus as it is known as the birthplace of Lord Krishna. It is a beautiful temple and the experience is even more surreal if you visit the temple during Janmashtami, Holi, and Diwali. However, the timing of the temple varies depending on the seasons. So, kindly confirm the timings before you plan your visit to Mathura Temple.

• Timings: 
  •  5:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 09:30 p.m. (summers)
  •  5:30 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (winters)
• Location: Near Deeg Gate Chouraha, Janam Bhumi 

4. Shree Dwarkadhish Temple Mathura:

Sree Dwarkadhish temple was built in the year 1814. It has some beautiful architectural designs and paintings. These paintings showcase the different aspects of the life of Lord Dwarkadhish (A form of Lord Krishna). A number of devotees visit this place on a daily basis. A temple is a must-visit place during the Shravan months, Janmashtami, Holi, and Diwali.

• Location: Raja Dhiraj Bazar Road
• Timings:
  •  6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (summers)
  •  6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (winters)

5. Mathura Museum:

Mathura Museum was founded in the year 1874 and earlier it was known as the Curzon Museum of Archaeology. The museum showcases the discoveries made by archaeologists. It is a leading center for research, study, and preservation of heritage. Mathura Museum is an amazing and perfect place for people interested in history. To avoid inconvenience, please check the visit timings.

• Location: Dampier Nagar    
• Timings: 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed on Mondays)
• Entry Fee: Rs. 5 per person

6. Bhuteshwar Mahadev Mandir:

This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the Shaktipeeth where the ringlet of Mata Sati fell after her body was destroyed. Generally, most of the temples that are located in Mathura are dedicated to Lord Krishna, however, this one is an exception. Bhuteshwar Mahadev Mandir becomes a famous tourist attraction during Shivratri.

7. Vishram Ghat:

A trip to Mathura calls for a visit to this historical spot. Located 3 km from Junction Road in the city, Vishram Ghat is among the top things to do in Mathura. It is a treasure that shaped the mythologically significant cities of Mathura. Vishram translates to rest. This Ghat served as Lord Krishna’s resting place after He defeated Kamsa/Kansa. The Main Ghat is in the middle of the 12 Ghats. Pilgrims come to Vishram Ghat all around the year and bathe in the holy waters. After a bath, they partake in the traditional parikrama ritual that starts and ends at the city’s locale. It is open every day from 6 am to 8 pm.

8. Nand Gaon:

A prime sightseeing spot near Mathura, Nand Gaon is located 8 km from Barsana and 50 km from Mathura city. It is a quaint town situated at the foothills of Nandisvara Hill. This hill holds loads of religious significance. As per mythology, Nand Gaon was the home of Lord Krishna’s foster parents – Shri Nand Maharaj and

. A temple on the top of the hill is dedicated to Shri Nand Maharaj. Devotees from all over India come to the tourist destinations near Mathura, especially Nand Gaon.

9. Radha Kund:

Radha Kund is a highly revered place in Brijbhoomi at the foothills of the holy Govardhan Parvat. This water body is devoted to Goddess Radha, the consort of Lord Krishna. As per Hindu mythology, Lord Krishna made a kund to wash off her sin of killing the demon Aristasura called Shyam Kund. Goddess Radha created her lake known as Radha Kund. It was sanctified by Lord Krishna. He established that taking a dip in this kund will help bless people with Radha Krishna’s love. People visit this place around the year every day from 6 am to 8 pm.

10. Kans Qila:

A fortified castle in Mathura, the Kans Qila is the main attraction in Mathura. It is named after the demon king “Kansa”. As per Hindu mythology, Kansa lived in 5500 BC. He was the maternal uncle of Lord Krishna, the revered Hindu deity. It is from the Mahabharata age and is situated on the banks of the holy Yamuna River. As per historical data, the fort was destroyed and rebuilt many times and was last built in the 16th century by Raja Man Singh of Amber.

11. Gita Mandir Mathura

Gita Mandir or the Birla Temple is the prime part of Mathura sightseeing. It is located on Mathura-Vrindavan Road. The temple is a Hindu pilgrimage site and is visited by throngs of devotees every day. The presiding deity is Lord Krishna. The temple is well-known due to its magnificent architecture and exquisite paintings and carvings. The Gita Temple’s pillars have chapters of the Bhagavad Gita, a holy book in the Hindu religion. The beautiful temple is visited by pilgrims around the year. It is open every day from 6 am to 8 pm.

4 Best Places to Visit in Vrindavan:

There are many places around Mathura that are also very famous among tourists because of their rich culture and heritage. Vrindavan is one such place that is located at just 10 km distance from Mathura. Vrindavan is a divine and pilgrimage site for Hindus. It is the playground of Lord Krishna.

Every year nearly three million people visit Vrindavan. There are beautiful temples that represent the love between Radha and Krishna. Some of the most famous temples to visit in Vrindavan are Govind Dev temple, Bankey Bihari temple, Madan Mohan Temple, Rangaji temple, etc.

1. Prem Mandir

A Hindu temple in Vrindavan, the Prem Mandir is a symbol of love. The temple on the outskirts of Vrindavan is on a 54-acre complex. It is dedicated to Lord Radha Krishna. The structure of the temple was established by Kripalu Maharaj. This temple is unique due to the many figures of Shri Krishna depicting important events around His holy surroundings. The highlight of this temple is its light and sound show that happens every evening centered around the Lord.

2. Govind Dev Temple

This temple is located at Raman Reiti, Vrindavan, and is open around the year from 04:30 am to 12.00 pm and from 05:30 pm to 09:00 pm. It was developed around 1590 AD. The temple still has magnificent grandeur. The temple is built as per the Vaishnava stream of the Hindu religion. The presiding deity is Lord Krishna. Red stone is used in its construction with detailed inscriptions.

3. Keshi Ghat

Keshi Ghat is located on the Parikrama Margin Gotam Nagar, Vrindavan. It was built by Queen Laxmi Devi in the 17th century. The Ghat is home to all the important temples in Vrindavan. It is surrounded by ancient temples. The elaborate ‘jaali’ work is the highlight of the Keshi Ghat. Its banks have distinct craftsmanship that is so typical of Rajasthan. Its steps lead up to the holy River Yamuna and are abuzz with devotion in the evening.

4. Small Temples in Vrindavan

There are lots of small temples that we can find in Vrindavan and among them, there are a few popular temples that we listed here.

i. Bankey Bihari Temple

The most famous temple and the main attraction of Vrindavan is the Shri Bankey Bihari Temple. The temple was built for Lord Krishna and ‘Banke’ refers to bent, and ‘Bihari’ means the enjoyer. The principal deity stands in a ‘Tribhanga’ posture, tilted at three angles. The temple enjoys huge footfalls always of the year but especially around the celebrations of Shri Krishna Janmashtami (birth of the lord) in August every year. The temple is open from 7.45 am to 8.30 pm in winter and till 9.30 pm in summer months.

ii. Madan Mohan Temple

The Madan Mohan temple is a 5000-year-old temple built in honor of the Madan Mohan deity at the root of an ancient banyan tree. The principal deity, Lord Madan Mohan is a name for the Hindu god Krishna. He is at the central altar with his main consort Radha on one side and Lalita Gopi on the other side. The temple is open from 6 am to 8 pm in winter and till 9.30 pm in summer months.

iii. Radha Madan Mohan Temple

The Shri Radha Mohan temple is a popular tourist attraction in Vrindavan. It’s Nagra’s style of architecture that is very impressive. The temple overlooks the holy Yamuna River and stands at 50 feet close to the Kaliya Ghat. The temple is open from 6 am to 8 pm in winter and till 9.30 pm in summer months.

Famous Gokul & Barsana Tourist Places:

Gokul is located at a distance of 16 km from Mathura. As per the famous belief, Lord Krishna spent his childhood at this place. This makes it an important pilgrimage place. Visiting Gokul during the Janmashtami festival is one of the best things to do for tourists because the city comes to life at that time. There are various places to visit in Gokul like Chourasi Khambha (84 pillars) also known as Nand Maharaja’s house, the mud temple, Brahmand Ghat, etc.

Barsana is a historical place and as per the beliefs, it is the birthplace of Goddess Radha. There are many religious places that you can visit in Barsana like Shri Radha Rani Temple, Kirti Mandir, Radha Kushal Bihari Temple, Shriji Temple, etc. Apart from the religious places, there are various other places for sightseeing such as Mor Kutir, Radha Sarovar, Sankari Khor, etc.

However, Barsana is famous for its unique way of celebrating the Holi festival. Holi is a festival of colors but in Barsana and Nandgaon, Holi is celebrated with colors and also sticks, which makes it rather peculiar. Hence, the festival there is also known as ‘Lathmar Holi’. The celebration of ‘Lathmar Holi’ lasts for a week and people indulge themselves in colors, songs, dance, and most importantly the lathis.

Best Hotels in Gokul, Mathura, and Vrindavan

A lot of tourists visit Mathura, Gokul, and Vrindavan throughout the year. There are numerous hotels where tourists can visit and stay comfortably. There are also various Dharamshala in Mathura. Hotels are available at different price ranges and you can select them based on your preference. Here we have mentioned some of the hotels that you can check out while visiting Mathura, Gokul, and Vrindavan.

• Matu Shree Guest House
• Hotel Brijwasi Royal
• Hotel Govardhan palace
• The Mystic palms
• Madhav Muskaan Residency
• Hotel Gokul Inn
• Hotel Shri Radha Nikunj Vrindavan
• Kadamb Resort Spiritual Stay

These are some hotels that you can check while visiting Mathura, Gokul, and Vrindavan.

How Can I Plan the Perfect Trip to Mathura?

The best time to visit Mathura and its nearby cities is during the festivals of Janmashtami, Holi, and Diwali. There is no issue with transportation. You can easily commute in the city with the help of Auto Rickshaws and Cycle Rickshaws. If you want to visit the nearby cities then there are buses that operate from the city at regular intervals. These buses help in connecting the cities together. So, without any difficulty, you can easily travel to Mathura and its nearby cities.

Mathura is a beautiful place that has a rich culture and heritage. Being the birthplace of Lord Krishna, it makes Mathura even more important from a religious point of view. The local people are very friendly in nature. Overall, Mathura is a must-visit destination and if you want to enjoy the surreal atmosphere and experience then you must check out these places to visit in Mathura during Janmashtami, Holi, and Diwali.

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