Govind Dev Temple

For unknown reasons the Govind Dev Temple is often referred to as being the Govind Dev Temple of Mathura instead of
Vrindavan. It is one of the most important temples in Vrindavan and the main deity here is Govind Dev or Lord Krishna.
The Idol was brought to this temple by the Rajput king of Jaipur, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II.
Keshi Ghat

Located at the banks of the River Yamuna, the Keshi Ghat is one of the most important Ghats in Vrindavan. The
magnificent Madanmohan temple at the back drop and the Yamuna River provides one of the most spiritually content

Ghats in Vrindavan. The Keshi ghat was the place where Lord Krishna took a bath after he slew the demon Keshi and is
considered a revered pilgrim spot.
Bankey Bihari Temple

The temple was built by the great Indian music guru Swami Haridas who was also the guru of the famous Tansen, a
famous musician in Akbars court. The temple was built in 1862 by Swami Haridas as he wanted to house an old idol of
Lord Krishna in his enjoyer or Bankey Bihari posture and keep it from getting into the hands of the Mughals. One of
the major and most famous temples in Vrindavan is not to be missed.

Shahji Temple

ISKCON Temple, Vrindavan

ISKCON Temple, also known as Sri Krishna Balaram Temple, was that first temple to be constructed by International
Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). This temple was built in 1966 by Swami Prabhupada, with an aim to spread
the knowledge and teachings of holy book, Bhagawad Gita and Vedic scriptures.
The presiding deity of the temple is of Lord Krishna-Balaram, which is housed under the central spire of the temple.
Deities of Gaura-Nitai and Radha-Shyamsundar are also enshrined in the temple. Within the temple complex, there is a
'Samadhi' of A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada on the left-hand side.

Radharamana Temple
Vrindavan abounds in temples, most of them associated with Lord Krishna in some way or the other for it is with his
memory that this whole places is drenched. Of the many Holy Places in Vrindavan, Radharamana Temple is a significant
one and well deserves to be visited by those on Tours to Vrindavan.
History of the Radharamana Temple Vrindavan :
The word "Radharamana" means one who gives pleasure to Radha, it but obviously refers to Lord Krishna, her consort.
Of the umpteen numbers of names by which Lord Krishna is referred to endearingly by his followers, this is yet another
one. The Radharamana Temple was constructed as a result of the initiative taken by Gopala Bhatta Gosvami. According
to popular legend, Radharamana is being worshipped here ever since 1542. It was in this year that he revealed his
presence. He made an appearance from a salagram-shila on the full moon day of Vaishakhi (April/May). And ever after
this self manifestation he has been worshipped in the temple. He self appeared at a spot which is just next to the
temple.
Description of the Radharamana Temple Vrindavan :
Lord Krishna made his first appearance in the year 1542. Ever since that year the event of his manifestation is
celebrated each year in the Radharamana Temple with a lot of religious fervor. On this occasion each year, the deity is
bathed with 100 liters of milk and other religious items like basil, flowers and honey. The water after the deity has
been bathed is akin to nectar to the followers of Lord Krishna. This abhisheka water is had by them as charanamrita.
Devotees pour in large numbers to the temple on this auspicious occasion. If you can make it here at this time of the
year then it is sure to be the best, however at other times of the year also you will surely enjoy a visit to the temple.
In general the standard of worship out here is very high. Apart from the deity of Radharamana, all the other salagram-

shilas of the time of Gopala Bhatta Swami are also worshipped to this day. The wooden sitting place (hoki) and the
shawl (chaddar) that was gifted to him by Lord Chaitanya also find their place within this temple in Uttar Pradesh,
India. Visitors can see these objects which date back to several centuries out here.
What will surely draw your attention is a beautiful crown. The crown signifies Radha. No idol of hers is worshipped in
the temple it is this symbol which is revered in its stead. The Samadhi of Gopala Bhatta is also here.
Another interesting thing that will not fail to draw your notice because of the popular stories that are related to it is
the fire in the temple kitchen. It is believed that this fire for cooking has been alight for more than 460 years that is
ever since the deity was established in this temple. The food is cooked as per the recipes of yesteryears.
Sri Gopesvara Mahadeva Mandir
As the name suggests, the Sri Gopesvara Mahadeva Mandir, Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh enshrines Lord Mahadeva. For
the Shaivaites, it is a great privilege to visit this temple. A visit to this temple is said to remove pains and pangs of life
and so if you are an ardent follower of Lord Shiva, then you should have a visit to this temple at least once in your
lifetime
History of the Sri Gopesvara Mahadeva Mandir, Vrindavan:
Brinda Kunja is one of the most extraordinary holy places in Vrindavan. It is at this place where Lord Shiva received the
mercy of Brinda Devi and was transformed into a Gopi. As a Gopi, he was introduced to Lord Krishna in order to
accompany him in his Rasa Lila. It was Sri Krishna who gave the beautiful name Gopesvara to Lord Shiva. The Sri
Gopesvara Mahadeva Mandir, Vrindavan is one of the principal Tourist Attractions in Vrindavan.
Description of the Sri Gopesvara Mahadeva Mandir, Vrindavan:
It is said that Gopesvara is among the holiest of the other incarnations of Lord Shiva. His idol is placed inside the
temple to commemorate the bond between the Lord Shiva (Gopesvara) and Sri Krishna (Gopi).

Radha Damodara Temple

It is true that there are many Holy Places in Vrindavan but it is equally true that all of them do not share the same
amount of importance. Of the 4000 temples that Vrindavan is home to, one of the most important ones is the Radha
Damodara Temple. Located right in the middle of the Seva Kunj, the temple was thought of by Srila Prabhupada, the
founder of ISKCON as the hub of the spiritual world. This throws a fair amount of light on the significance of the
temple. Ensure that it is a part of your sight seeing trip in Vrindavan.
History of the Radha Damodara Temple Vrindavan :
The deity worshipped in the Radha Damodara Temple was carved with his own hands by Rupa Goswami. He presented
this deity of Radha Damodara to one of his favorite disciples Jiva Goswami. Jiva Goswami then established the temple
in the year 1542. For more than four centuries now this temple is being visited by devotees of Lord Krishna and the
number is increasingly on the rise.
Description of the Radha Damodara Temple Vrindavan :
On your visit to the Radha Damodara Temple you will be able to see not only the deity carved by Rupa Goswami, there
are several other deities that are worshipped here as well. These are the deities of Vrindavan Chandra which was
worshipped by Krishna Das Kaviraja Goswami, Radha Madhava worshipped by Jayadeva Goswami at one point of time
and Radha Chalacikana which belonged to Bhugarbha Goswami. Even though some of the original deities have been
replaced by more recent ones, they are as good as the old and referred to as the prathibhu-murti.
The Samadhis of Srila Rupa Gosvami, Srila Jiva Gosvami and Srila Krishna Dasa Kaviraj Gosvami are all located within
the precincts of the temple. The bhajan place of Jiva Goswami is also inside the premises of the temple. It was here
that he performed all his devotional activities. Of late a lot of restoration activity has been done to help this century
old temple to emerge as one of the foremost Tourist Attractions in Vrindavan. It is as it is visited by many followers
with the inflow increasing even more when festivals like the Candana Yatra are celebrated and now with all the
renovation, even the common tourists want to pay a visit to what is one of the oldest temples in Uttar Pradesh, India.

Bankey Bihari Temple

The beautiful and peaceful city of Vrindavan lying on the banks of Yamuna River is one of the most important pilgrim
centers in India for the Hindus. Both Mathura and Vrindavan are known to be the domain of Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna
is said to spent a considerable time of his youth here with his gopis and his beloved Radha. Most of the 4000 temples
here are dedicated to him. Some of these temples are fine specimens of North Indian type temples. While in Vrindavan
you can avail the different Dharamshalas and guest houses that offer you good accommodation at a reasonable rate.
Take a leisurely walk through the many Holy Places in Vrindavan to understand the true essence of the city. Bankey
Bihari Temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna.
Description of Bankey Bihari Temple, Vrindavan:
This temple houses a sacred image of Lord Krishna known as Thakur Ji. The idol of Krishna here is jet black. This is one
of the most frequented tourist centers in Vrindavan. Devotees enter the inner shrine of the temple with flowers and
garlands to offer the God while Brahmins who are the main worshippers of the deity move to and fro performing rituals

and decorating the idol and shrouding the idol from time to time. The main hall and the inner sanctorum are decorated
with floral designs.
The basic structure of the Bankey Bihari Temple consists of a hall and an inner sanctuary that houses the deity. The
imposing structure is built on a platform and you have to mount a flight of steps to reach the inner recesses of the
temple.
Vrindavan is accessible from all the major towns of Uttar Pradesh and also from Deli. The nearest airport is in Agra
while the nearest station is in Mathura which lies at a distance of 15 kilometers from here.

Govind Dev Temple

The idyllic city of Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh is one of the most important pilgrim centers for the Hindus. Supposedly
Lord Krishna spent the best moments of his life with his gopis and Radha here. A number of temples, big and small,
elaborate and non descript abounds the city. It is located 90 kilometers from Delhi and only 15 kilometers from
Mathura. During Janmashthami, and Holi the city is seen at its best and attracts a large number of tourists. Generally
Mathura and Vrindavan are covered together. While in Vrindavan you can avail the different Dharamshalas and guest
houses that offer you good accommodation at a reasonable rate. If you are going on a temple expedition in the city
doesn't miss out on Govind Dev Temple, Vrindavan which is considered to be one of the finest specimens of temples in
North India.
History of Govind Dev Temple, Vrindavan: Govind Dev Temple is one of the most sought after Holy Places in Vrindavan.
The temple is a specimen of advanced archeology. It was constructed in 1590 by Raja Man Singh of Amber. It was
sacked during the Mughal era by Aurangzeb who in one of his demolition spree destroyed the upper four floors. Now the
temple lies empty and without any embellishment as such.
Description of Govind Dev Temple, Vrindavan: Govind Dev which is the other name of Lord Krishna is the main reigning
deity in the temple. The temple has an impressive alter of marble and silver. The ceiling of the main hall is decorated
with a sculptured lotus which weighs over several ton. The cost of building the temple in those times was ten million
rupees. Several thousand men were employed for 7 years to complete the temple. The temple is decorated with
flowers during Janmashtami, and Holi. Outside the temple you will find many shops selling devotional items like
flowers, incense stick, idol dresses and the likes.

Rangaji Temple
Characterized by lofty gopurams or gateways, a tall shikhara or crown and impressive gold plated ornamentations
stands Rangaji Temple, one of the finest examples of temple architecture in Vrindavan. Vrindavan is home to as many
as 4000 temples and it is very difficult for anyone to cover all of them in a single trip. However when on sight seeing
Tours in Vrindavan make sure that you do not miss out on the Rangaji Temple.
History of the Rangaji Temple Vrindavan : Seth Radha Krishna and Seth Govinda dasa are credited with the construction
of this temple. It cost them a whopping sum of 45 lakhs in the nineteenth century. Construction of the temple started
in 1845 and took six years for completion.
Description of the Rangaji Temple Vrindavan : The Rangaji Temple is an admirable amalgamation of different
architectural styles. The entrance gate of the temple makes one reminiscent of Rajput architecture, the gopuram is
sure to bring to one's mind South Indian style of temple architecture whereas the colonnade has a distinct Italian
touch. Consequently apart from those with a religious bent of mind the temple is also well worth a visit by those who
are fond admirers of art and architecture. The temple beautifully coalesce different kinds of architecture.
Distinguished as the largest temple in Vrindavan, it has an outer wall that measures 770 feet by 440 feet. There are as
many as eight gopurams. Of these, one of them is six storied and totally covered with beautiful carvings.
Before setting your foot into the precincts of the temples through the western gate which is the main gate of the
temple, watch the two electronic puppet shows at the entrance. They depict scenes from the two Indian epics
Ramayana and Mahabharata. As for the interiors of the temple, they are beautifully decorated. However what will
attract your attention the most is the 15 m gold plated pillar in the central enclosure of the temple. This dhwaja
stambha is indeed stupendous. Also within the premise of the temple are a nice tank and a lovely garden.
Lord Ranganatha or Rangaji to which the temple is dedicated is depicted here as Lord Vishnu. He is shown in the
sheshashayi pose resting on the coils of the divine serpent or the sacred Shesha nag. Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of
Lord Vishnu is also worshipped in this temple.
In the summers, the Rangaji Temple in Uttar Pradesh, India remains open from 6 to 11 in the morning and 4 to 9 at
night whereas in the winter season the timings change to remain open from 6 to 12 and 3 to 9. The ambience of the
temple is filled all the more with mirth and cheer when the Brahmotsava Festival is celebrated in the month of Chaitra
(March-April) and when the dramatic performance of Gajendra Moksha is put up on the full moon day in the month of
Asada (June-July). If you can plan a visit at these times of the year, then there can be nothing like it, however if that is
not possible at least do ascertain that you visit what is one of the foremost Holy Places in Vrindavan.

ISKCON Temple

ISKCON or International Society for Krishna Consciousness was established by Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in 1966.
The greater aim of the society is definitely the general well being of man kind. However its immediate aim is to
popularize the teachings of the Bhagwad Gita and the Vedic scriptures and thereby create a clear perception in the
minds of individuals. This is to help them to lead a simple yet pure and ethereal life. They are credited with the
construction of as many as 6000 temples and the first of these is the ISKCON Temple at Brindavan.
History of the ISKCON Temple Vrindavan : The ISKCON Temple at Vrindavan was built in the year 1975 and inaugurated
on the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami. The foundation of the temple was laid by Swami Prabhupada, better known
by the name of Srila Prabhupada. He personally supervised over the construction of the temple. After his sad demise,
his body too was laid to rest in front of the temple and this place is now referred to as the Samadhi Mandir.
Description of the ISKCON Temple Vrindavan : It is a beautiful edifice in white. Made of marble and further decorated
with pieces of stone, it is a structure everyone is sure to look at with admiring eyes. Blessed with three altars, it boasts
of a marvelous design. This is one of those Holy Places in Vrindavan that enjoys the reputation of being one of the
foremost Tourist Attractions in Vrindavan. Other than devotees, it is frequented by lovers of architecture.
The central altar is devoted to the brothers Krishna and Balaram, in fact this temple is also popularly known as Sri
Krishna Balaram Mandir. The other two altars are dedicated to Sri Gaur Nitai and Sri Radha Shyamasundara. The central
altar has been expanding ever since 1975 in keeping with Srila Prabhupada's desire of making it an international center
for spiritualism. Over the years it has emerged as one of the most inspiring spiritual centers in the world.
The ambience of the temple is no doubt spiritual and also so very spirited. People from distinctly different
backgrounds, from diverse nationalities are seen congregating at the ISKCON Temple to pray to Krishna, sing songs in
his praise and seek his diving blessings.
It is a delight to see the various Aratis like the Samadhi Arati, the Mangala Arati, the Tulasi Arati, the Dhoop Arati, the
Raj Bhoga Arati, the Pushpa Arati, the Sandhya Arati, the Shayana Arati and others at different times of the day. Within
the temple premises Bhagvad Gita classes are also held in the mornings as well as in the evenings. Make sure to keep a
whole day reserved for the ISKCON Temple in Uttar Pradesh, India. Open till 8.15 in the winters and 8.45 in the
summers, this temple has a stress free ambience where one would like to spend quality time.

Jaipur Temple
The Jaipur Temple, Vrindavan is one of the many primary attractions in Vrindavan. It is one of the most popular
temples in Vrindavan. Of the various Holy Places in Vrindavan it is one which is frequented by a large number of
devotees. But the name Jaipur Temple in Vrindavan is quite illusive; this is because of the fact that, it is not located in
the city of Jaipur but is located in Vrindavan.
History of the Jaipur Temple, Vrindavan :
The Jaipur Temple, Vrindavan, is one of the most opulent temples located in the heart of the city. It was erected by
the Maharaja of Jaipur called Sawai Madhav, in the year 1917. 30 years were required to construct the temple.
Description of the Jaipur Temple, Vrindavan:
With unsurpassed craftsmanship intricate sandstone has been carved. From a singular rock structure, the entire temple
has been constructed. There are huge pillars with marble finishing. The intricate work, rich architectural skill and the
overall elegance of the place is indefinable. There is a huge altar in this temple. Often it is stated that the Maharaja
paid for the Rail Lines that connects Vrindavan and Mathura. The deities worshipped here are Sri Radha-Madhava,
Ananda-bihari and Hansa-gopala.

Jugal Kisore Temple

Steeped in the childhood memories of Lord Krishna stands Vrindavan, one of the most important pilgrim centers for the
Vaishnavite Hindus in India. Flanked by the Yamuna River, this small hamlets' claim to fame is in fact its intimate
association with Lord Krishna and its numerous temples which number more than four thousand. On your Tours to
Vrindavan it is surely not possible to cover all the Holy Places in Vrindavan but of those that feature on your list the
Jugal Kisore Temple should definitely be one.
History of the Jugal Kisore Temple, Vrindavan : Emperor Akbar visited Vrindavan in the year 1570. On his visit he gave
the Gaudiya Vaishnavas permission to build four temples. Of these the Jugal Kisore Temple was one. The other three
were the Madan Mohan Temple, the Govindaji Temple and the Gopinatha Temple. Construction started soon after and
the temple was finally complete in the year 1627.
Description of the Jugal Kisore Temple, Vrindavan : The Jugal Kisore Temple is not just one of the oldest temples in
Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh; it is also one of the most beautiful temples in Vrindavan. Built of red sandstone, it is sure to
impress any onlooker. Visited by a large number of devotees to this day, its over all ambience is very effervescent. The
ghat beside which this temple is located is one of the most famous bathing places in Vrindavan. A large number of
people throng this ghat to take a sacred dip in the river.

Kesi Ghat
According to popular legend, Kesi demon was killed by Lord Krishna over here. The demon had appeared in the form of
a gigantic horse, in fact it is after this demon that the ghat is also named. The story goes that after killing him, Lord
Krishna took a bath in this ghat. Therefore the temple is also sometimes referred to as the Kesi Ghata Temple. It is
definitely well worth a visit when in Vrindavan. Admire the architectural skills manifested in the temple building which
has survived the test of time, pay homage to the idol, offer your prayers and seek his blessings - you are sure to enjoy
the visit. Another added attraction for the visitors is the arati to the Yamuna River in the evenings. It is a visual delight
to see the brightly lit lamps in the dark
Kesi Ghat, Vrindavan is located on the banks of the river Yamuna. Visited by many tourists from far and wide, Vrindavan
Kesi Ghat is amongst one of the foremost Monuments in Vrindavan.
History of Kesi Ghat, Vrindavan : Kesi Ghat, Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh, India has a legend associated with it. It is
believed that Lord Krishna slayed the Kesi demon at this place.
Description of Kesi Ghat, Vrindavan : Vrindavan Kesi Ghat is considered a pious place. People believe that after slaying
the horse incarnation of demon Kesi, Lord Krishna took a bath at this Ghat. As a result, people come here in huge
numbers to take a holy dip. Bathing at Vrindavan Kesi Ghat offers one the benediction of taking a bath at all the holy
places. So, it is quite natural that this place remains abuzz with devotees throughout the year who seek divine
blessings by bathing here. At this Ghat, daily aarti of Yamuna Devi is held in the evening. This aarti is a ritual worth a
watch.

Madan Mohan Temple

Of all the Holy Places in Vrindavan, the Madan Mohan Temple is one of those most revered because it has the
distinction of being the oldest temple in Vrindavan. On Tours to Vrindavan, one cannot possible let go the chance of
visiting it. It is not just simply a place of worship; it is an old structure that has stood the test of times.
History of the Madan Mohan Temple Vrindavan:
There is a very long and interesting story associated with the Madan Mohan Temple. There was a merchant by the name
of Ram Das Kapoor. It so happened that a ship he owned went aground. This was as it is very unfortunate and on top of
that the ship happened to be loaded with a whole lot of goods. He would have to face severe financial losses because
of this. After receiving Sanatana Goswami's advice, he prayed to Madan Mohan for help. The Lord answered his sincere
prayers and his ship was rescued. He reaped a huge profit from the deal and decided to contribute the money to build
a temple in honor of Madan Mohan.
As for Sanatana Goswami, he was the person who had been entrusted with the responsibility of worshipping the deity
of Madan Mohan by Purusottama Chaube even before he had advised Ram Das Kapoor to build a temple. Actually the
original deity of Madan Mohan was founded by Advaita Acharya at the base of an old vat tree when he was on a tour to
Vrindavan. He had given it to his disciple Purusottama Chaube who in turn had handed it over to Sanatana Goswami.
After the temple was set up by Ram Das Kapur at the behest of Sanatana Goswami, the idol of Madana Mohana came to
be worshipped there.
The Madan Mohan Temple was positioned on top of a 50 feet hill known as Aditya Tila. It opened its doors for the
devotees' way back in 1580. Till today it is visited by a large number of devotees even though unfortunately the deity
that is now worshipped here is not the original one. It is just a replica of the original which was transferred from
Vrindavan to a place called Karoli located to the south east of Jaipur in Rajasthan. This was done in the year 1670 to
protect it from the invasions of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.
At the foothills, there is yet another Madan Mohan Temple that is far newer and is believed to have been built by Sri
Nand Kumar Bose of Bengal. Here too Madan Mohan deities are worshipped.
Description of the Madan Mohan Temple Vrindavan : The Madan Mohan Temple is a fine old temple in Uttar Pradesh,
India. It is old but nonetheless very impressive. It stands at a height of 60 foot. On one side of the temple is the Bhajan
Kuthir of Sanatana Goswami and his Samadhi is at the back of the temple. The Grantha Samagra containing some
original manuscripts of the Goswamis is also in the vicinity of the temple. One's mind is sure to be filled with a certain
serene calm after visiting the temple and offering prayers.