Vrindavan Travel

Situated in the North Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, Vrindavan is the place where Lord Krishna is said to have spent his childhood. A major pilgrimage center for the Hindus, Vrindavan is considered one of the oldest cities in the country. The city’s name is derived from the words vrinda meaning tulsi (or basil), and van meaning grove. Vrindavan was once surrounded by thick forests, now urbanization and building projects have slowly taken over the vast forests that are fast depleting now. With several temples all over the town, let’s take a look at some of the major attractions of the region.

Attractions
One of the major attractions here is The Pagal Baba Temple, which is one of the more modern pieces of architecture. The 11 storey tall structure of the temple was created by Pagal Baba, who died only a few years ago.

One of the most important and vibrant temples here is the Bankey Bihari Temple, where one can witness devotees engaged in simple acts of worship. Housing a sacred image of Krishna, the temple is known as Thakkur Ji, which shows Krishna with an almost blackened body. Devotees enter the shrine room with garlands of flower petals, offering them to the idol.

Another prominent temple here is The Govind Dev Temple, which was built in 1590 by Raja Man Singh. The temple now lies empty, and the upper layer of the temple was torn down during the time of the Mughal emperor, Aurangzeb. A major attraction of this temple is its remains that narrate a tale of the bygone era.

Another major attraction here is the Rangaji Temple that dates from 1851 and is a mixture of architectural styles, including a Rajput entrance gate, a soaring south Indian gopuram (gateway tower), and an Italianate colonnade.

Fairs and Festivals
Celebrations are a way of life in Vrindavan. People here do not need a reason to celebrate and remember God, and chanting the names of Radha Krishna, dancing and singing are the ways that are considered to take a devotee away from the materialistic world.

Janmashtami is one of the major festivals celebrated in the months of July/August and thousands of devotees throng the place from all over the country. Holi is also celebrated with as much enthusiasm. The other major festivals here include Govardhan Puja, Guru Poornima, Holi, Govardhan Puja, Jhulan Yatra (swing festival), Radhashtami, and Basant Panchami.

How to reach Vrindavan
By Air - The nearest airport to Vrindavan is Agra. The nearest international airport is Delhi, which is connected to almost every important city in the world with major airlines.
By Train - The major railway station nearby is Mathura on the Delhi-Chennai and Delhi-Mumbai main line.
By Road - Vrindavan is connected to Mathura and all other places of interest in Braj.