By Air : The nearest airport is Agra airport located at a distance of about 62 kms. There are regular flights connects several cities of India , including Delhi , Mumbai, Khajuraho and Varanasi . The nearest international airport is Delhi , which is connected to almost every important city in the world.
By Rail : Though Vrindavan itself is a railway station . Mathura is on the main lines of the central and western railways and is connected with all the major cities. Mathura is well connected with all the important cities of the state and country such as Delhi , Agra , Mumbai, Jaipur, Gwalior , Calcutta , Hyderabad , Chennai, Lucknow etc.
By Bus : Vrindavan is connected to Mathura and all other places of interest in Braj by bus services and is placed on direct road link from Delhi and Agra . Getting to Vrindavan from Mathura is very easy as there are frequent buses, shared tempos, and taxis available throughout the day. Mathura is linked by the regular state bus services of Uttar Pradesh, Delhi , Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana.
The city of Mathura widely known as birth place of lord Krishna is located on the bank of river Yamuna. It is 145 Km south-east of Delhi and 58 Km north west of Agra , the city of Taj . This virtuous land is termed as the Brajbhoomi and is the most important pilgrimage for the Hindus. As per epic Mahabharat Mathura was the capital of the Surasena Kingdom, ruled by Kansa the maternal uncle of Krishna.
A religiously important place, Mathura is among the top list of a Hindu pilgrim. There are so many temples in the city. The main places to visit are Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi, Vishram Ghat, Sati Burj, Kans Qila, Jama Masjid, Dwarkadheesh Temple , and the Archeological Museum . Brajbhoomi can be divided into two distinct units - the eastern part in the trans-Yamuna tract with places like Gokul, Mahavan, Baldeo, Mat and Bajna and the western side of the Yamuna covering the Mathura region that encompasses Vrindavan, Govardhan, Kusum Sarovar, Barsana and Nandgaon. The land of Braj starts from Kotban near Hodel about 95 km from Delhi and ends at Runakuta which is known specially for its association with the poet Surdas, a Krishna devotee.
Mathura is technologically-advanced oil refinery owned by the Indian Oil Corporation. This is one of the largest oil refineries of Asia . On the industrial aspect, Mathura is home to a flourishing Silver polishing industry and Sari-printing and water tap factories.
Vrindavan :
Vrindavan, around 15 km, north of Mathura on the bank of Yamuna, almost as closely associated with Krishna . It is the most important pilgrimage sites in Braj. There are about 4,000 big and small temples in the city of Vrindavan , apart from the numerous bathing ghats. The most famous as well as the finest temple in Vrindavan is that of Govinda Deva. Also known by the name Vrindaban, Brindavan, or Brindavana, or Brindaban it is the site of the original mythic forest or forested region, in which the Hindu deity Krishna spent his childhood. He was raised there in the cowherding village of Gokula by foster parents.
Two major categories of the stories of Krishna are placed in this forest. First, there are the stories of him as a child, killing demons, stealing butter and indulging in childhood pranks. Secondly, there are the stories of him as a young man, playing with the girls and young women of the village.
In recent decades the name of Vrindavan has often been used within India, to represent an idyllic place or garden. What is comparatively a matter of detail is that Vrindavan is believed to have been the stage on which Krishna performed his famous romantic and sportive roles.
This is one of Vrindavana's most popular temples and famous all over India , which houses the sacred image of Krishna known as Thakur Ji. It was built in 1864 by Haridas Swami, a contemporary of the six Goswami's The Deity of Banke-bihari was discovered in Nidhivana by Swami Haridas. The temple has mangala-aarti only one day a year.
Kesi Ghata :-
This is the place where Lord Krishna killed the Kesi demon. Kesi Ghat is on the bank of the Yamuna. This is also very famous bathing place in Vrindavana. Every evening an Aarti is performed here every day at sunset.
Rangji Temple :-
This is the largest temple in Vrindavan built in 1851 by the wealthy Seth family of Mathura, and is dedicated to Lord Sri Ranganatha or Rangaji – who is seen lying down on the Sesa Naga (celestial serpent). A mixture of architectural styles, including a Rajput entrance gate, a soaring south Indian gopuram (gateway tower), and an Italianate colonnade. The outer wall measure 773 Ft. and encompass a water tank, a garden and the actual temple . The "Dhweja Stambha " , 50 ft. tall , is believed to be gold plated . Once a year a grand car festival (Ratha Yatra) is held during the month of (March - April).
Krishna Balrama Mandir (Iskcon Vrindavan) :-
This temple is 3 kms from the city. This beautiful temple was established in 1975 by A.C. Bhakti Vedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder Acarya of International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). It is a very beautiful temple and most popular temple of Lord Krishna . It is one of the highest standards of Deity worship and cleanliness. Here, the marble buildings almost glow with a light of their own and there is evidence of intricate carving. The ISCKON temple has certain private chambers that has been converted into a museums
Jaipur Temple :-
This temple was built by the Maharaja of Jaipur, Sawai Madhav, in 1917. It is one of Vrindavan's most opulent and grandiose temples.
Radha Vallabha Temple :-
Built in 1626, this temple is of special architectural interest as remnant of ancient Hindu architecture , which was founded by Hit Harivamsa Gosvami, who started the Radha Vallabha sect emphasizing devotion to Radharani.
Seva Kunj (Nikunjavan) :-
This is the sacred place of the rasa dance and also where Lord Krishna offered service to Radharani by decorating Her hair with flowers, as well as massaging and painting her lotus feet. Radha and Krishna would sometimes spend the night here, dancing with the gopis and enjoying various transcendental pastimes. No one is allowed within the enclosure at night. The numerous monkeys that are there during the day also leave at night.
Radha Damodara Temple :-
This is one of the most important temples in Vrindavana. The original Deity was hand carved by Rupa Gosvami and given as a gift to his beloved disciple, Jiva Gosvami, who later built a temple here. The main Deities here are Sri Radha-Damodara. Other Deities worshiped here are the Radha-Vrindavana Candra Deities of Krishna Dasa Kaviraja Goswami, the Radha-Madhava Deities of Jayadeva Goswami, and the Radha-Chalacikana Deities of Bhugarbha Goswami.
Radha- Raman Temple :
Gopal Bhatta Goswami built this temple. I t is believed that the Deity self manifested from a Saligram-sila. The Deity of Sri Radha-Raman was manifested from one of Gopal Bhatta Goswami's shalagram-shilas on the full moon day of Vaisakha (April/ May) in 1542. This event is celebrated every year by bathing the Deity with 100 litres of milk and other auspicious items.
Madana Mohana Temple : -
Situated near Kali ghat , it is believed that it have been built by Kapur Ram Das of Multan. This 60 foot high temple was opened in 1580 on a 50 foot hill called Aditya Tila, next to the Yamuna. The original Deity of Madana Mohana was discovered at the base of an old vat tree by Adaita Acarya, when he visited Vrindavana.
Govind Dev Temple : -
This is another temple situated in Vrindavan, built by Raja Man singh of Jaipur in 1590, is a seven storeyed structure built in the form of Greek Cross. Its upper four storeys were destroyed during Emperor Aurangzeb's reign.
Gita Mandir : -
It is situated on the city outskirts, This temple's major attraction are carving and painting.
Shahji Temple : -
It was built in the year 1860. It is famous for it's explendid art architecture , sculpture and twelve single piece spiral colemns made up of marble. The world famous BASANTI KAMRA is this temple.
The Birth Place of Lord Krishna. It is believed that this is the place where about 5,000 years ago lord Krishna was born in the prison of King Kansa. Later, excavations at this site many old statues were found which are now displayed in the government museum. At present a beautiful temple stands at this site dedicated to Lord Krishna.
Dwarkadish Temple :-
The Dwarkadish Temple , built in 1814 AD by Seth Gokuldass of Gwalior , is dedicated to Lord Krishna. It is the main temple in the town. During the festivals Holi, Janmashthami and Diwali, it is decorated gorgeously. It is located in the eastern part of Mathura not far from the Yamuna River .
The Government Museum :-
Located at Dampier Park , it has one of the finest collections sculpture, terracotta, bronze objects of the Maurya, Sunga, Kushan and Gupta periods. It also houses the famous standing Buddha from the 5 th Century AD. Major attraction for tourists.
Jama Masjid : -
Built by Abd-un Nabir Khan in 1661 A.D. on the ruins of Keshav Deo temple, which was destroyed earlier. The mosque has 4 lofty minarets, with bright colored plaster mosaic of which a few panels currently exist.
Kans Qila :-
This fort on the banks of the river Yamuna was built by Raja Mansingh of Jaipur.
Vishram Ghat : -
The sacred spot where Lord Krishna had rested after slaying the tyrant King Kansa.
