Plan Your Braj Yatra
Vrindavan, Mathura, Govardhan, Barsana, Nandgaon — the lila-bhumi of Shri Krishna and Radharani. Complete Braj yatra packages with Janmashtami, Holi, and Kartik options.
Uttar Pradesh · Braj · राधे राधे
The tradition
What is the Braj Yatra?
Braj is the eternal homeland of Shri Krishna and Radharani — the region around Mathura, Vrindavan, Govardhan, Barsana, Nandgaon, and Gokul where the Bhagavata Purana places Krishna's bal-lila and the maha-ras. A Braj yatra visits the principal lila-sthals — the saptadevalaya temples of Vrindavan, the Krishna Janmasthan in Mathura, the parikrama of Govardhan, the birthplaces of Radha (Barsana) and Krishna's upbringing (Nandgaon, Gokul) — and ideally includes some part of the great Braj Chaurasi Kos Parikrama. The yatra is undertaken year-round but the high seasons are Janmashtami, Holi, Radhashtami, Kartik, and Govardhan Puja.
Vrindavan
Maha-ras grove
Mathura
Krishna Janmabhoomi
Govardhan
Giridhari lila
Barsana–Nandgaon
Radha & Krishna's hometowns
Plan your darshan
Braj Darshan — Banke Bihari, Janmabhoomi & Prem Mandir Timings
Darshan at Banke Bihari is unlike any other temple in India — the curtain before Thakurji is drawn and opened every few minutes, so darshan comes in short jhanki bursts rather than one long gaze. Tradition holds that Bihariji's glance is so powerful that no devotee should receive it for too long. Mobile phones and cameras are not permitted inside Banke Bihari or the Krishna Janmabhoomi — cloakrooms are available near the entrances, and a government photo ID is needed at the Janmabhoomi security check.
| Temple | Summer (approx. Mar–Oct) | Winter (approx. Nov–Feb) |
|---|---|---|
| Banke Bihari, Vrindavan | 7:45 AM – 12:00 PM · 5:30 – 9:30 PM | 8:45 AM – 1:00 PM · 4:30 – 8:30 PM |
| Krishna Janmabhoomi, Mathura | 5:00 AM – 12:00 PM · 4:00 – 9:30 PM | 5:30 AM – 12:00 PM · 3:00 – 8:30 PM |
| Prem Mandir, Vrindavan | 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM · 4:30 – 8:30 PM (same year-round) | |
| Prem Mandir musical fountain | 7:30 – 8:00 PM | 7:00 – 7:30 PM |
Prem Mandir after dark is one of Braj's gentlest evenings — the white marble temple of the Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat is lit in slowly changing colours, with carved panels of Krishna-lila around the perimeter and the fountain show in the garden. Entry is free.
Govardhan parikrama is a ~21 km circumambulation of Giriraj-ji, beginning at Mansi Ganga or Dan Ghati — 6 to 8 hours on foot at a steady pace, longer barefoot. Those who cannot walk the full path can do the parikrama by e-rickshaw or car on the parikrama marg. The full Chaurasi Kos parikrama of Braj-mandal — 84 kos, roughly 268 km through Mathura, Vrindavan, Govardhan, Barsana, Nandgaon and Gokul — remains one of the great extended pilgrimages of north India.
Temple timings in Braj shift with the season and the festival calendar — we reconfirm every timing before your visit. It is part of what we promise.
Getting here
How to Reach Mathura–Vrindavan
Braj sits between Delhi and Agra, which makes it one of the easiest yatras in India to begin. Every Satmarg package includes pickup — from Mathura Junction, or door-to-door from Delhi.
| From | By road | By train |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi | 150–160 km via Yamuna Expressway; ~3–4 hrs to Vrindavan (closer to 2.5 hrs before dawn) | Gatimaan Express, Hazrat Nizamuddin to Mathura Jn in ~1 hr 40 min; many day trains ~2 hrs |
| Agra | ~60 km, about 1.5 hrs | Frequent trains, under 1 hr to Mathura Jn |
| Jaipur | ~220 km, about 4 hrs | Direct trains to Mathura Jn, ~3.5–4 hrs |
| Mumbai / Kolkata / South India | — | Mathura Jn is on the Delhi trunk routes — most long-distance trains toward Delhi stop here |
The nearest major airport is Delhi (IGI), about 160 km away — fly into Delhi and drive down the Yamuna Expressway. Agra's airport is closer on the map but has limited flights. Within Braj, Mathura and Vrindavan are only ~15 km apart; the lanes near Banke Bihari close to cars, so our drivers drop you at the nearest permitted point and an e-rickshaw or a short walk takes you to the temple.
Find your yatra
Choose Your Braj Path
Whether you have a weekend or a full Kartik month, Braj can be approached in several ways. Janmashtami and Holi packages need early booking — both are extremely high-demand seasons.
7
Vrindavan thakurs
23 km
Govardhan parikrama
84 kos
Braj-mandal parikrama
Year-round
Yatra season
All options
Braj Yatra Packages
Weekend Braj, full 5-day yatra, Janmashtami specials, and complete Holi packages.
Braj Yatra from Delhi — 1 Day
Braj Yatra from Delhi — Vrindavan and Mathura in 2 Days
Braj Yatra with Govardhan Parikrama from Delhi — 3 Days
Braj Yatra — Chaurasi Kos Parikrama from Delhi (6 Days)
An evening at Banke Bihari
The curtain opens, the curtain falls
The crowd in the courtyard at Banke Bihari is dense — but soft. Pilgrims chant Radhe Radhe as they wait for the next darshan. Inside, the curtain falls one more time before the temple readies itself.
And then, as it has been for nearly two centuries, the curtain rises. Krishna in his tribhanga pose stands before his devotees in the form Swami Haridas first saw him at Nidhivan. The bhajan of Sri Krishna Govinda Hare Murare swells from the back of the courtyard. A minute passes. The curtain falls again.
This is Vrindavan — a city where Krishna and his devotees cannot bear too long an exchange of gaze, and where every glimpse is enough to hold the whole heart.
Why Satmarg
How Satmarg supports your Braj yatra
Saptadevalaya sequence
Carefully selected stays
AC vehicles, Braj drivers
Through-yatra support
From enquiry to yatra
From enquiry to yatra
- 1
1. Tell us your dates
Travel month, group size, days, festival preferences (Janmashtami, Holi, Kartik). WhatsApp, phone, or the enquiry form.
- 2
2. Itinerary and quote
Day-by-day plan, hotels, vehicle, guide, festival darshan strategy. Fixed quote, no surprises.
- 3
3. Booking
We lock the hotels and vehicle, file ISKCON / Janmasthan bookings where applicable, and confirm everything.
- 4
4. Travel with support
Confirmation pack and on-call support through the yatra.
Questions asked often
Braj Yatra — Frequently Asked
When is the best time for a Braj yatra?
October to March for pleasant weather; Janmashtami (August/September) for the most spiritually charged single night; Holi (March) for the most beloved week-long festival across Braj; and the full month of Kartik (October-November) for the most devotionally rich extended stay. Avoid May-June (very hot) if mobility is a concern.
How many days do I need for Braj?
A weekend covers Vrindavan and Mathura at a comfortable pace. Four to five days lets you add Govardhan parikrama, Barsana, and Nandgaon. For Holi or Janmashtami specials, plan three days at minimum. The full Braj Chaurasi Kos Parikrama takes 21 to 40 days depending on the group.
Are phones allowed at Banke Bihari and the Krishna Janmasthan?
No. Mobile phones, cameras, leather wallets, and large bags are not permitted inside Banke Bihari, Radha Raman, and the Krishna Janmasthan. Cloakrooms are available at the entrance. Plan to carry only your ID and minimum essentials.
How crowded is Banke Bihari during darshan?
Very. Banke Bihari draws large crowds even on regular days; on Janmashtami, Holi, and Radhashtami the temple can be intensely packed. Our guides know the timing windows and the best entry points; we plan your darshan to maximise time inside and minimise queue duration.
Can I do the Govardhan parikrama?
Yes — the 23-km Govardhan parikrama can be walked in 6 to 8 hours starting from Mansi Ganga. Many pilgrims do part of it by car-parikrama (a shorter circular drive). The walking parikrama on Govardhan Puja day after Diwali is extremely crowded and is best done in groups.
Where do I stay in Braj?
Vrindavan offers the most options — ISKCON Guest House, MVDA Hotels, and many private guest houses. Mathura has hotels near the Junction and near the Janmasthan. For Janmashtami and Holi book accommodations months in advance. We arrange suitable stays based on your preferences for proximity, quietness, and budget.
Is Braj suitable for senior pilgrims?
Yes — Braj is one of the gentler tirthas in terms of physical demands. The temples are at ground level (no major treks except Govardhan parikrama if chosen). E-rickshaws and car transfers are easily available. Let us know of any mobility needs at the time of enquiry so we can plan accordingly.
What is vegetarian food like in Braj?
Braj is fully vegetarian by tradition, and the food is excellent — pure sattvic cooking in the Vaishnava style. Highlights include kachori-aloo, pedha (especially Mathura's famous pedhas), rabri, malpua, and the prasad bhog from the temples. Avoid non-vegetarian food anywhere near the temple precincts.
What are the Banke Bihari temple timings?
The temple keeps seasonal hours: roughly 7:45 AM–12:00 PM and 5:30–9:30 PM in summer, and 8:45 AM–1:00 PM and 4:30–8:30 PM in winter. There is no all-day darshan — plan around the morning and evening windows. Timings shift with the festival calendar — we reconfirm before your visit.
Which days are best for Banke Bihari darshan?
Weekday mornings, soon after the temple opens, are the calmest. Weekends, Ekadashi, and festival days — above all Janmashtami and the Holi week — draw intense crowds. If you are coming for the festival experience, we plan entry timing and exits carefully; if you want unhurried darshan, we route you on weekdays.
How do I reach Vrindavan from Delhi?
By road it is 150–160 km via the Yamuna Expressway — about 3–4 hours. By rail, the Gatimaan Express reaches Mathura Junction from Hazrat Nizamuddin in about 1 hour 40 minutes, and Vrindavan is a 15 km drive from there. The nearest major airport is Delhi (IGI). Every package includes pickup.
Begin your Braj Yatra
Tell us your travel dates and we will send a clear itinerary, quote, and Braj plan within hours.
Keep travelling
More yatras
Booking & payment
How it works
No surprises. Here is exactly what happens from your first message to the day you walk the yatra.
- 1
Tell us your dates
Share dates, group size, and preferences via WhatsApp, phone, or the enquiry form. No commitment yet.
- 2
Receive itinerary & quote
We send a written itinerary, inclusions, and a fixed quote. You can revise or decline at no cost.
- 3
Pay via online invoice
Payments are processed through standard invoicing and digital payment methods (UPI, cards, net-banking).
- 4
Confirmation & support
A confirmation email lists your bookings, contacts, and pickup times. Refunds, if applicable, follow our published policy.