Banke Bihari Temple, Vrindavan, India
This temple was built in 1862 when an idol of Banke-Bihari i.e. Sri krishna was discovered in NidhiVana of Vrindavan. This Temple is believed to be established by Swami Haridas in Mughal Period. It is believed that this temple has the same posture of Lord Krishna that came in dreams of Swami Haridas.Jhulanotsavais a worth watching festival at this temple.
Madan Mohan Temple, Vrindavan, India
It is one of the oldest temples of Vrindavan. It is situated near Kali Ghat. It is closely associated with great Bhakti Saint ChaitanyaMahaprabhu who was a devotee of Lord Krishna. This Temple was built by KapurRamdas of Multan, now in Pakistan. Today, a replica of the original deity,MadanGopal is worshipped as the original idol of MadanGopal was moved in Rajasthan for safe upkeep during Aurangzeb’s Rule.
Meera Bai Temple, Vrindavan, India
Meera Bai, a bhakti saint of medieval era, is considered to be consort of Lord Krishna. There are several legends weaving around the assimilation of MeeraBai in God. MeeraBai was a Rajput Princess who left her husband and shunned all the traditions and royalty of palace in search of devotion and truth of supreme deity. She dedicated ll her life in worship of Lord Krishna. It is believd that MeeraBai disappeared in 1547 in DwarikaPuri in an idol of Lord Krishna.
Garud Govind Temple, Vrindavan, India
Garuda Govind Temple is located on NH-2, leading to Vrindavan in Chhatikara village.
Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir, Vrindavan, India
Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir is under-construction at Mathura by ISKCON. It is supposed to be tallest temple in world on completion.
Bhajankuti Ashram, Vrindavan, India
Bhajankuti Ashram was established by Golokbasi 1008 BhagawatSharanMaharajJi who was from Nepal. This temple has stood testimony to the bond of Indo-Nepal ties that has been marred by recent violence. Several thousand devotees come from Nepal and enrich heritage of Vrindavan Dham.
Prem Mandir, Vrindavan, India
Prem Mandir was established by famous saint KripalucMaharaj. This temple is a symbol of love. It has idols of Lord Krishna. Temple covers a vast area of 54 acres.
Radha Vallabh Temple, Vrindavan, India
Radha Vallabh Temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and Radha.
Jaipur Temple, Vrindavan, India
Jaipur Temple was built by Sawai Raja Madho Singh II, the Maharaja of Jaipur in 1917. This temple is dedicated to Radha–Madhava. Madhava is another name of Lord Krishna.
Radha Raman Mandir, Vrindavan, India
Radha Raman Temple is temple of god who gives pleasure to Radha i.e. Lord Krishna.Theseva puja of Radharamana was established in 1542, after the Deity self-manifested from a saligram-sila on the full moon day of Vaisakha (April/May).
Shahji Temple, Vrindavan, India
Shahji Temple was designed and built in 1876 by Shah KundanLal and Shah PhundanLal of Oudh. Principal deity is Radha Raman. Temple is noted for its magnificent architecture and beautiful marble sculptures, the temple have twelve spiral columns each 15 feet high and a hall with Belgian glass chandeliers and paintings.
Rangaji Temple, Vrindavan, India
The Rangaji temple, an amalgam of Rajput and South Indian architecture, is the largest temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It was built in 1851 and dedicated to Lord Ranganatha or Rangaji depicted as Lord Vishnu in his Sheshashayipose i.e. resting on the coils of the sacred Shesha Naga. The temple built in the Dravidian style of architecture has a gopuram of six storyand a gold-plated Dhwajastambha, 50 feet high. The 'Brahmotsdav'celebration in March–April is marked by the pulling of the Temple Car by the devotees from the temple to the adjoining gardens.
Govind Dev Temple , Vrindavan, India
Govind Dev Temple is built by Raja Man Singh in the year 1590. It is a specimen of Medieval Architecture. It has 7 Story. Temple looks like a European Cathedral and is made of red Sandstone. Temple needs urgent restorations as it is in stage of decay.
Sri Krishna-Balarama Temple, Vrindavan, India
Krishna Balarama temple was built in 1975 by ISKCON. It is one of the most beautiful temples of Vrindavan. Temple remise has 3 temples i.e. Krishna Temple, Balarama Temple and Radha Temple.Balarama was the brother of Lord Krishna.Temple closes between 12PM to 4 PM.
Radha Damodar Mandir, Vrindavan, India
Radha Damodar Mandir is located at Seva Kunj was established in 1542 by Six Gosvamis of Vrindavan. The main deities are Radha–Damodar.
Maa Katyayani Mandir, Vrindavan, India
Maa Katyayani Mandir is situated in Radha Bagh, near Rangnath mandir. This is one of suddh Shakti Peetha of Shakti.
Bhuteshwar Mahadev Temple, Vrindavan, India
Bhuteshwar Mahadev Temple a shrine believed to be a Shakti Peetha where ringlet of hair of Sati Devi is believed to have fallen.
Radha Ras Bihari Ashta Sakhi Temple, Vrindavan, India
Radha Ras Bihari Ashta Sakhi Temple is dedicated to the divine couple Radha-Krishna and their Ashta Sakhis (eight companions).
Radha Govinda Temple, Vrindavan, India
Radha Govinda Temple was built by Sri Krishna Balaram Swamiji and was completed in 2004 is based on a historic temple built about 500 years ago by Srila Rupa Goswami, a direct Sanyasi disciple of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
Vrindavan-Chandra Mandir, Vrindavan, India
Vrindavan-Chandra Mandir is housed in a modern geodesic structure with a traditional gopuram based on khajuraho style of architecture.
Other Sacred sites of Vrindavan, India
Nidhivan or Madhuban, Vrindavan, India
Nidhivan also known as Madhuban is considered to be the place where Lord Krishna participated in Raasleela with Radha and Gopikas of Mathura and Vrindavan.
Mystery of Nidhivan is that no one dares to enter the place as Lord Krishna still appears there at night and perform the same Raasleela that has been performed in Dwapar Age according to Hinduism. It is believed that those who dare to enter the Madhuban are found dead or become mad. There are no CCTV cameras as government does not dare to interfere with religious beliefs of Hindus.
Seva Kunj, Vrindavan, India
Seva Kunj, also known as Nikunj Van (forest), is located in Vrindavan. The place is known as SevaKunj as Lord Krishna has done service to Radha to get ready for Raslila. This place is known as Seva Kunj because of Selfless Service that Lord Krishna did for Radha.
Kesi Ghat, Vrindavan, India
Keshi Ghat is the prime bathing place in the town of Vrindavan. It is little east of Chir-ghat on the banks of the River Yamuna. KeshiGhat is one of the most beautiful ghats of Yamuna with stone inlaid strongholds on the banks and massive Madan Mohan temple visible in the background. Here the sacred river Yamuna flows very graciously and extends herself to everyone without discrimination.
Anyone who touches, drinks, sees, smells and bathes in her waters become infinitely purified. This Ghat is named Keshi as Lord Krishna killed the demon Keshi at This place.
Fairs and Festivals of Vrindavan
Amidst the mesmerizing temples, music, art and dances the legend of Lord Krishna comes alive – every day. Vrindavan has rich cultural heritage of fairs, festivals and other cultural traditions rare to be found in other parts of India. Some prominent ones are as following:
One of the most enthusiastically welcomed festivals is Holi. Holi is most vibrant festival of India. But it becomes special when it comes to celebration of Holi in Mathura Vrindavan. This is the place where Lord Krishna celebrated Holi with Brajwasis and Gopikas of Braj and Mathura.
Some other dances, drama and festivals famous in Braj Bhumi are as following: