Welcome to Braj, the heartland of Krishna lore, where Vrindavan and Mathura hum with centuries of devotional music, temple bells, and aromatic street snacks. This 7-day itinerary blends sacred sites like Banke Bihari Temple and Prem Mandir with slow, meaningful moments—sunrise on the Yamuna, a quiet hour in Nidhivan, and a sunset boat gliding past Keshi Ghat.

Vrindavan’s lanes preserve stories sung in bhajans, while Mathura’s ghats and museums root those legends in history. You’ll wander temple courtyards, taste legendary pedas and kachoris, take day trips to Govardhan, Barsana, and Gokul, and—if you wish—add a dazzling Agra tour for the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort.

Practical notes: Dress modestly for temples; leather items may be restricted in a few shrines and photography can be limited inside. Getting here is easy via Delhi: trains to Mathura Junction are frequent, and e-rickshaws or taxis connect to Vrindavan. Expect vegetarian, sattvik cuisine—flavorful, seasonal, and surprisingly varied.

Vrindavan

Vrindavan is a living tapestry of temples—from the exuberant Banke Bihari Temple to the serene ISKCON Krishna Balaram Mandir and the crystalline Prem Mandir, which glows at night with a musical fountain show. Sunrise and sunset at Keshi Ghat are atmospheric, with soft light on carved havelis and the Yamuna reflecting saffron-clad pilgrims.

• Top sights: Banke Bihari Temple, ISKCON Krishna Balaram Mandir, Prem Mandir, Radha Raman Temple, Radha Damodar Temple, Nidhivan and Seva Kunj, Keshi Ghat.
• Local flavor: Lassi, pedas, hot kachori with aloo sabzi, seasonal malaiyo (winter), and thalis with sattvik flair.
• Where to eat: Govinda’s Restaurant (ISKCON; sattvik buffet and thalis), MVT Restaurant & Bakery (pizzas, pastas, strong coffee and cinnamon rolls), Ammaji’s Restaurant (North Indian plates; clean, home-style taste). For sweets, Brijwasi outlets are reliable for Mathura pedas and milk-based mithai.
• Stays (search and compare): VRBO Vrindavan | Hotels.com Vrindavan (look for properties near ISKCON or Chhatikara Road for easy access).

Mathura

Mathura, Krishna’s birthplace, pairs spiritual gravity with small-town bustle. The Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple complex is a powerful stop, while Dwarkadhish Temple dazzles with its painted pillars and daily arti. Evenings on Vishram Ghat are a photographer’s dream.

• Top sights: Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple, Dwarkadhish Temple, Vishram Ghat (evening aarti), Government Museum, Gita Mandir.
• Where to eat: Brijwasi Mithai Wala (iconic pedas, lassi, kachori), local chaat at Holi Gate, and simple vegetarian thalis at family-run bhojanalayas around Chowk Bazaar.
• Stays (search and compare): VRBO Mathura | Hotels.com Mathura (central stays near Holi Gate or Dampier Nagar are convenient for ghats and markets).

Getting in and around: Fly into Delhi, then continue by train or car to Mathura/Vrindavan. Compare flights on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. For trains in India (Delhi → Mathura Junction ~1.5–2 hours, from ~$3–$8 USD depending on class), search Trip.com Trains. From Mathura to Vrindavan is ~12 km; taxis (₹400–700), auto-rickshaws (₹200–400), and e-rickshaws inside Vrindavan (₹60–150) are easy.

Day 1: Arrival in Vrindavan, First Darshans and a Gentle Evening

Afternoon: Arrive via Delhi and transfer to Vrindavan (3–4 hours by car; or train to Mathura, then 30 minutes by taxi). Check in near ISKCON or Chhatikara Road for walkable access. Shake off travel with a fresh lassi and sweet peda at a Brijwasi outlet.

Evening: Head to ISKCON Krishna Balaram Mandir for the evening kirtan and sandhya aarti—soulful singing that sets the tone for the week. Dine at Govinda’s Restaurant next door (rotating sattvik buffet; try the paneer preparations and semolina halwa), or the MVT Restaurant & Bakery for wood-fired pizza and salads.

Day 2: Old Vrindavan Temples, Keshi Ghat Boat Ride, and Prem Mandir Lights

Morning: Start early at Banke Bihari Temple (arrive at opening to avoid crowds; check seasonal timings). Walk to Radha Raman—a historic temple famed for its living saligram deity—and continue to Radha Damodar, where the courtyard and samadhis invite quiet reflection. Breakfast at MVT Bakery (strong cappuccino, cinnamon rolls) or hot kachori-sabzi from a trusted mithai shop.

Afternoon: Explore Nidhivan and Seva Kunj, sacred groves tied to Krishna-Radha legends. Keep voices low and respect local customs; guides nearby share legends in engaging snippets. Lunch at Ammaji’s Restaurant—opt for the North Indian thali or their sattvik dal with jeera rice.

Evening: Drift on a sunset boat ride at Keshi Ghat (30–45 minutes; ₹200–500 per person) as the ghats turn golden. After, walk or e-rickshaw to Prem Mandir for the light and musical fountain show (check onsite for seasonal timings, typically post-sunset). Simple dinner near the temple area; fresh fruit chaat and warm milk with saffron end the night well.

Day 3: Mathura Day—Janmabhoomi, Dwarkadhish, and the Yamuna Aarti

Morning: Depart for Mathura (30 minutes). Visit the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple Complex; security is tight—leave electronics if requested. Continue to the Government Museum to see standout Kushan and Mathura-school sculptures, anchoring myth to history.

Afternoon: Lunch around Holi Gate—try Brijwasi Mithai Wala for a plate of kachori-aloo, jalebi, and the city’s famed pedas. Walk the bazaars for brass diyas, tulsi malas, and fragrant incense.

Evening: Attend the Vishram Ghat aarti; arrive 30 minutes early to sit near the steps and watch lamps float on the Yamuna. Return to Vrindavan for dinner—Govinda’s for a calm buffet or a light khichdi at a local bhojanalaya if you prefer something soothing.

Day 4: Govardhan Parikrama and Barsana’s Radha Rani Temple

Morning: Leave early for Govardhan (45–60 minutes). Do a short segment of the parikrama (3–6 km) starting near Manasi Ganga—comfortable shoes, hat, and water are essential. Snack on seasonal fruit, mathri, and chai from clean vendors.

Afternoon: Continue to Barsana (40 minutes). Climb to Radha Rani Temple atop Brahmagiri Hill; the view of mustard fields and temple spires makes the steps worthwhile. Simple lunch at a local vegetarian dhaba—ask for fresh rotis, seasonal sabzi, and raita.

Evening: Optional stop at Nandgaon (Nand Bhawan) on your return. Back in Vrindavan, unwind with a calm stroll near ISKCON and a light dinner at Ammaji’s or a sattvik thali from a neighborhood kitchen.

Day 5: Gokul and Mahavan Legends, Plus Sweets and Shopping

Morning: Drive to Gokul (30–40 minutes). Visit Raman Reti and the serene ashram grounds where families come for quiet prayer and children play in the soft sands. Continue to Gokul’s Chaurasi Khamba—an atmospheric courtyard woven with lore.

Afternoon: Return via Mahavan and stop for a rustic lunch at a roadside vegetarian dhaba—fresh tawa rotis, dal fry, jeera aloo. Back in Vrindavan, shop Loi Bazaar for incense blends, brass puja items, and cotton kurtas; negotiate politely.

Evening: Sunset at Keshi Ghat if you’d like a second golden-hour session. Dinner at MVT Restaurant (try their tomato basil soup and thin-crust pizza) or a simple curd rice and sabzi combo for a light end to the day.

Day 6: Agra Day Trip—Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and Mehtab Bagh

Morning: Leave Vrindavan around 5:00–5:30 a.m. by private car (1.5–2 hours; ₹2,500–3,500 round-trip) or take an early train from Mathura to Agra Cantt (35–45 minutes; ₹60–300). Join this Agra private city tour that covers the essentials in one day: Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Baby Taj & Mehtab Bagh Private City Tour.

Afternoon: Savor Mughal history at Agra Fort and the delicate inlay at Baby Taj (Itimad-ud-Daulah). Wrap with Mehtab Bagh views back across the Yamuna for classic Taj photos in soft light. For an alternative sunrise-focused option, consider: Skip-the-Line Guided Taj Mahal & Agra Fort Tour with Add-ons.

Evening: Return to Vrindavan for a relaxed dinner—khichdi, dal, and sabzi are comforting after a big day. If you still have energy, stroll to Prem Mandir to catch the lights once more.

Day 7: Slow Morning, Final Darshan, and Departure

Morning: Enjoy a final darshan at ISKCON or a quiet sit in Nidhivan. Coffee and a light breakfast at MVT Bakery or hot poha from a local stall.

Afternoon: Last-minute shopping at Loi Bazaar. Depart for Delhi (plan 3–4 hours by car) to catch your flight—compare options on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. If taking the train from Mathura, check schedules on Trip.com Trains.

Evening: Travel day—carry a packed snack (fruit, nuts, mathri) and water. If you overnight in Delhi due to flight timing, consider an evening temple visit the next day.

Insider Tips:

• Temple etiquette: Dress modestly; remove shoes; carry small notes for offerings. Some temples limit phones or photography—follow posted signs.
• Best times: Oct–Mar is pleasant. Holi (dates vary by lunar calendar) is exhilarating but crowded—book early.
• Local transport: E-rickshaws are ideal within Vrindavan’s old lanes; keep cash and small change.
• Health: Choose busy, clean stalls for street eats; bottled water only.

Where to book your stay: For wide choices and competitive rates, start with VRBO Vrindavan and Hotels.com Vrindavan (repeat the search for Mathura on VRBO and Mathura on Hotels.com if you want a night or two by the ghats).

This 7-day Braj itinerary balances iconic Vrindavan and Mathura temples with peaceful hours by the Yamuna and flavorful vegetarian fare. Whether you add the Taj Mahal or linger for extra aartis, you’ll leave with stories, scents, and songs that stay with you.