Braj Yātrā — Mathura, Vrindavan and Govardhan

3–4 days · October–March; Holi and Janmāṣṭamī for festivals · from Delhi or Agra

Braj is the land of Kṛṣṇa's childhood — his birthplace at Mathura, the groves of Vrindavan, the hill he lifted at Govardhan, Rādhā's village of Barsana and Nanda's village of Nandgaon.

Day 1 — Arrive at Mathura (about 180 km from Delhi, 3–3.5 hours by expressway). Śrī Kṛṣṇa Janmabhūmi, the Dvārakādhīśa temple, and evening āratī on the Yamunā at Viśrām Ghāṭ. On the way in or out, Gokul and Mahavan across the Yamunā (about 15 km), where Kṛṣṇa grew up.

Day 2 — Vrindavan (about 12–15 km). Bāṅke Bihārī, Rādhā Ramaṇa, Rādhā Vallabha, Nidhivan, the ISKCON temple and evening at Prem Mandir or Keśī Ghāṭ. Go to Bāṅke Bihārī on a weekday if you can.

Day 3 — Govardhan (about 22–25 km from Mathura). The parikramā of the hill — about 21 km, 5–7 hours on foot, many walking barefoot and starting before dawn — with Rādhā Kuṇḍa and Śyāma Kuṇḍa and Mānasī Gaṅgā. E-rickshaws are available for those who cannot walk it.

Day 4 — Barsana, with the Śrījī (Lāḍlījī) temple on the hill, and Nandgaon nearby. Return to Mathura for onward travel.

The longer traditional form is the Braj 84 Kos parikramā — roughly 250–300 km around the whole land of Braj, walked by groups of pilgrims over about a month or more, visiting forests, kuṇḍas and līlā-sthalas along the way. It is usually done with an organised group and a guide from a Braj ashram.

Mathura and Vrindavan have ashram guest houses, dharmaśālās and hotels; Govardhan and Barsana have simpler stays. Crowds become dangerous at Bāṅke Bihārī on festivals and weekends — keep children close and follow police directions. The Lāṭhmār Holi of Barsana and Nandgaon and Janmāṣṭamī in Mathura draw huge crowds; book well ahead. Monkeys in Vrindavan snatch spectacles and phones. Temple timings change with the season and close in the afternoon, so check before you go.

3–4 days (84 Kos: a month or more) · October–March · From Delhi or Agra · Easy · 21 km parikramā optional

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