Mathura Yatra

Highlights & Route

Braj Bhoomi, the land of Krishna’s childhood, is one of the most joyful places a family can travel to together. Mathura, where he was born in a prison cell; Gokul, where he grew up among the cowherds; Govardhan, the hill he lifted on his little finger; and Vrindavan, where he played with the gopis, all lie within an hour of each other on the banks of the Yamuna. This package gives you three nights in Mathura and an easy day in each direction, with time for the evening aartis that make Braj so special.

Vrindavan also holds a Shakti Peeth that most visitors pass by: the Katyayani Peeth near Radha Bagh, where the hair ringlets of Sati are said to have fallen and where the gopis themselves are believed to have prayed to Katyayani for Krishna. We include it alongside the great Vrindavan temples of Banke Bihari, Rangnath, Jugal Kishore, Prem Mandir and the ISKCON Krishna-Balram Mandir, so that the yatra honours both Devi and Shyam.

Pickup and drop are from Delhi, about 160 km down the Yamuna Expressway. You travel in a private air-conditioned vehicle, stay in a comfortable Mathura hotel with vegetarian breakfast and dinner, and have our Dehradun coordinator on call. The itinerary is paced for grandparents and grandchildren alike, with afternoons kept free for rest in the heat of the day.

Route

Delhi → Mathura (Vishram Ghat Yamuna aarti) → Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi → Dwarkadhish → Gokul (Raman Reti, Chinta Haran Ghat) → Govardhan → Vrindavan (Banke Bihari, Rangnath, Katyayani Shakti Peeth, Jugal Kishore, Prem Mandir, ISKCON) → Mathura → Delhi

Good to know before you book

• Mathura is about 160 km from Delhi by the Yamuna Expressway (3 hours) and about 5–6 hours from Dehradun; we can start the yatra from Dehradun or Agra on request.
• Banke Bihari temple has different summer and winter timings and closes for a long afternoon break, so we visit in the morning or evening session; the lanes around it are narrow and crowded, especially on weekends and festivals.
• Phones and bags are restricted at Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi for security; lockers are available outside.
• The Govardhan parikrama is about 21 km; we visit the Daan Ghati and Mukharvind temples by vehicle, and families who wish to walk the full parikrama should add a day.
• Monkeys in Vrindavan snatch spectacles, phones and food; keep them inside bags or pockets.
• October to March is pleasant; Holi (March) and Janmashtami (August–September) are unforgettable but extremely crowded, with hotel rates rising sharply.