Vrindavan

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City in Uttar Pradesh, India

title: "Vrindavan" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["vrindavan", "krishna", "cities-and-towns-in-mathura-district", "widowhood-in-india", "yamuna-river", "krishna-temples", "places-in-hindu-mythology", "hindu-holy-cities", "hindu-pilgrimage-sites-in-india", "ancient-indian-cities"] description: "City in Uttar Pradesh, India" topic_path: "geography" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vrindavan" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary City in Uttar Pradesh, India ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]

FieldValue
nameVrindavan
other_nameVrindaban, Brindaban
nicknamesCity of Widows
settlement_typeCity
image_skyline{{Photomontage
photo1aIskon Temple, Vrindawan.jpg
photo1bMadanmohan Mandir Vrindavan.JPG
photo2aRadha Damodar Temple.JPG
photo2bRadhavallabhlalj.jpg
photo3aPrem Mandir Vrindavan, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India (2014).jpg
spacing2
positioncenter
color_borderwhite
colorblack
size266
foot_montageClockwise from top:
pushpin_mapIndia Uttar Pradesh#India
pushpin_map_captionLocation in Uttar Pradesh, India
pushpin_label_positionright
coordinates
subdivision_typeCountry
subdivision_name
subdivision_type1State
subdivision_type2District
subdivision_name1Uttar Pradesh
subdivision_name2Mathura
established_title
government_typeMunicipal Corporation
governing_bodyMathura-Vrindavan Municipal Corporation
leader_titleMayor
leader_nameVinod Agarwal
leader_partyBJP
unit_prefMetric
elevation_m170
population_total63,005
population_as_of2011
population_footnotes
population_density_km2auto
population_demonymVrindavan wasi
demographics_type1Languages
demographics1_title1Official
timezone1IST
utc_offset1+05:30
postal_code_typePIN
postal_code281121
area_code0565
area_code_typeTelephone code
registration_plateUP-85
demographics1_info1Hindi
demographics1_title3Native
demographics1_info3Braj Bhasha
::

| name = Vrindavan | other_name = Vrindaban, Brindaban | nicknames = City of Widows | settlement_type = City | image_skyline = {{Photomontage | photo1a = Iskon Temple, Vrindawan.jpg | photo1b = Madanmohan Mandir Vrindavan.JPG | photo2a = Radha Damodar Temple.JPG | photo2b = Radhavallabhlalj.jpg | photo3a = Prem Mandir Vrindavan, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India (2014).jpg | spacing = 2 | position = center | color_border = white | color = black | size = 266 | foot_montage = Clockwise from top: ISKCON Temple , Radha Madanmohan Temple, Radha Damodar Temple, Radha Vallabh Temple, Prem Mandir}} | pushpin_map = India Uttar Pradesh#India | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_map_caption = Location in Uttar Pradesh, India | pushpin_label_position = right | coordinates = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = | subdivision_type1 = State | subdivision_type2 = District | subdivision_name1 = Uttar Pradesh | subdivision_name2 = Mathura | established_title = | established_date = | founder = | named_for = | government_type = Municipal Corporation | governing_body = Mathura-Vrindavan Municipal Corporation | leader_title = Mayor | leader_name = Vinod Agarwal | leader_party = BJP | unit_pref = Metric | area_footnotes = | area_total_km2 = | area_rank = | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = 170 | population_total = 63,005 | population_as_of = 2011 | population_footnotes = | population_density_km2 = auto | population_rank = | population_demonym = Vrindavan wasi | demographics_type1 = Languages | demographics1_title1 = Official | timezone1 = IST | utc_offset1 = +05:30 | postal_code_type = PIN | postal_code = 281121 | area_code = 0565 | area_code_type = Telephone code | registration_plate = UP-85 | website = | footnotes = | demographics1_info1 = Hindi | demographics1_title3 = Native | demographics1_info3 = Braj Bhasha Vrindavan (; ), also spelt Vrindaban and Brindaban, is a historical city in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh, India. It is located in the Braj Bhoomi region and holds religious importance for Hindus, who believe that Krishna, one of the main Gods in Hinduism, spent most of his childhood in this city. Vrindavan has about 5,500 temples dedicated to the worship of Krishna and his chief consort, Radha. It is one of the most sacred places for Vaishnava traditions.

Vrindavan forms a part of the "Krishna pilgrimage circuit" under development by the Indian Ministry of Tourism. The circuit also includes Mathura, Barsana, Gokul, Govardhan, Kurukshetra, Dwarka and Puri.

Etymology

The ancient Sanskrit name of the city, वृन्दावन (), comes from its groves of vṛndā (holy basil) and vana (grove, forest).

History

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/92/Swiatyniamadanmohan.jpg" caption="Shri Radha Madan Mohan Temple]] was built by [[Raja]] Gopal Singhji of [[Karauli]] dynasty"] ::

Vrindavan has an ancient past, associated with Hindu culture and history, and was established in the 16th and 17th centuries as a result of an explicit treaty between Muslims and Hindu Emperors, and is an important Hindu pilgrimage site since long.

In contemporary times, Vallabha Charya (an Indian saint from 15th century), aged eleven visited Vrindavan. Later on, he performed three pilgrimages of India, barefoot giving discourses on Bhagavad Gita at 84 places. These 84 places are known as Pushtimarg Baithak and since then have the places of pilgrimage. Yet, he stayed in Vrindavan for four months each year. Vrindavan thus heavily influenced his formation of Pushtimarg. ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ec/Bankebihari_temple_main_gate_Vrindavan.JPG" caption="Banke Bihari Temple, Vrindavan" alt="Banke Bihari Temple, Vrindavan"] ::

The essence of Vrindavan was lost over time until the 16th century when it was rediscovered by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. In the year 1515, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu visited Vrindavan, with the purpose of locating the lost holy places associated with Krishna's life.

In the last 250 years, the extensive forests of Vrindavan have been subjected to urbanisation, first by local Rajas and in recent decades by apartment developers. The forest cover has been whittled away to only a few remaining spots, and the local wildlife, including peacocks, cows, monkeys and a variety of bird species has been virtually eliminated.

Prem Mahavidyalaya

In 1909, Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh established India’s first polytechnic college, Prem Mahavidyalaya in Vrindavan, with the dual vision of promoting education and nurturing nationalist thought. During the inauguration of Prem Mahavidyalaya, Madan Mohan Malviya was also present. Over time, it evolved into an intellectual centre for revolutionary ideas and a meeting place for freedom fighters and Congress leaders.

Prominent figures such as Subhas Chandra Bose, Rabindranath Tagore, Sarojini Naidu, C.F. Andrews, and Jawaharlal Nehru visited the college, leaving their remarks in its visitor book. Mahatma Gandhi spent a day there on 19 April 1915, recording his admiration for Singh’s dedication to the national cause. In 1914, Mahendra Pratap Singh left Prem Mahavidyalaya to seek international backing for India’s independence.

Geography

Situated on the west bank of the Yamuna River, about 15 kilometres north of Mathura and 125 km from Delhi, Vrindavan has an average elevation of 170 metres (557 feet). The Yamuna river flows through the city.

Climate

The climate is hot semi arid (BSh), bordering a humid subtropical climate (Cwa).

| location = Mathura (1981–2010, extremes 1974–1995) | metric first = yes | single line = yes | width = auto | Jan record high C = 29.6 | Feb record high C = 34.1 | Mar record high C = 40.1 | Apr record high C = 45.1 | May record high C = 47.1 | Jun record high C = 47.6 | Jul record high C = 44.6 | Aug record high C = 42.7 | Sep record high C = 40.6 | Oct record high C = 42.1 | Nov record high C = 35.1 | Dec record high C = 30.1 | year record high C = 47.6 | Jan high C = 21.3 | Feb high C = 24.4 | Mar high C = 30.4 | Apr high C = 36.6 | May high C = 41.2 | Jun high C = 41.2 | Jul high C = 36.1 | Aug high C = 34.6 | Sep high C = 34.2 | Oct high C = 33.3 | Nov high C = 29.1 | Dec high C = 23.3 | year high C = 32.1 | Jan low C = 6.4 | Feb low C = 8.3 | Mar low C = 13.2 | Apr low C = 17.9 | May low C = 23.9 | Jun low C = 25.9 | Jul low C = 25.5 | Aug low C = 25.0 | Sep low C = 23.5 | Oct low C = 18.3 | Nov low C = 11.6 | Dec low C = 7.7 | year low C = 17.3 | Jan record low C = 1.0 | Feb record low C = 0.5 | Mar record low C = 5.0 | Apr record low C = 7.0 | May record low C = 8.5 | Jun record low C = 17.0 | Jul record low C = 11.5 | Aug record low C = 17.5 | Sep record low C = 17.6 | Oct record low C = 11.5 | Nov record low C = 4.0 | Dec record low C = 2.0 | year record low C = 0.5 | rain colour = green | Jan rain mm = 10.4 | Feb rain mm = 13.6 | Mar rain mm = 6.8 | Apr rain mm = 10.1 | May rain mm = 17.8 | Jun rain mm = 35.5 | Jul rain mm = 164.7 | Aug rain mm = 205.2 | Sep rain mm = 165.0 | Oct rain mm = 18.0 | Nov rain mm = 3.9 | Dec rain mm = 9.0 | year rain mm = 660.1 | Jan rain days = 0.9 | Feb rain days = 1.3 | Mar rain days = 1.0 | Apr rain days = 0.9 | May rain days = 1.5 | Jun rain days = 3.0 | Jul rain days = 9.0 | Aug rain days = 9.1 | Sep rain days = 4.9 | Oct rain days = 0.9 | Nov rain days = 0.3 | Dec rain days = 1.1 | year rain days = 33.9 | time day = 17:30 IST | Jan humidity = 65 | Feb humidity = 59 | Mar humidity = 53 | Apr humidity = 48 | May humidity = 39 | Jun humidity = 43 | Jul humidity = 67 | Aug humidity = 72 | Sep humidity = 71 | Oct humidity = 63 | Nov humidity = 56 | Dec humidity = 60 | year humidity = 58 | source 1 = India Meteorological Department | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205040301/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf | archive-date = 5 February 2020 | url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf | title = Station: Mathura Climatological Table 1981–2010 | work = Climatological Normals 1981–2010 | publisher = India Meteorological Department | date = January 2015 | pages = 481–482 | access-date = 22 September 2020}} | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205042509/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf | archive-date = 5 February 2020 | url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf | title = Extremes of Temperature & Rainfall for Indian Stations (Up to 2012) | publisher = India Meteorological Department | date = December 2016 | page = M220 | access-date = 22 September 2020}}

Demographics

As of 2011 Indian Census, Vrindavan had a total population of 63,005, of which 34,769 were males and 28,236 were females. The population within the age group of 0 to 6 years was 7,818. The total number of literates in Vrindavan was 42,917, which constituted 68.11% of the population with male literacy of 73.7% and female literacy of 61.2%. The effective literacy rate of the 7+ population of Vrindavan was 77.8%, of which the male literacy rate was 83.7% and the female literacy rate was 70.3%. The sex ratio is 812 females per 1000 males. The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes population was 6,294 and 18, respectively. Vrindavan had 11,637 households in 2011.

Vrindavan lies in the cultural region of Braj.

Culture and cityscape

Religious heritage

Main article: Radha, Krishna, Radha Krishna

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e0/Aindra_Dasa_Kartik_2009.JPG" caption="[[ISKCON]] devotee singing bhajan in Vrindavan"] ::

Vrindavan is considered to be a sacred place for Vaisnavism tradition of Hinduism. It is believed that Krishna spent part of his childhood in this city. The other prominent areas surrounding Vrindavan are Govardhana, Gokul, Nandgaon, Barsana, Mathura and Bhandirvan. Along with Vrindavan, all these places are considered to be the center of Radha and Krishna worship. Millions of devotees of Radha Krishna visit Vrindavan and its nearby areas every year to participate in a number of festivals. The common salutation or greetings used in Braj region by its residents is Radhe Radhe which is associated with the Goddess Radha or Hare Krishna which is associated with Krishna. Devotees of Krishna believe that he visits the town each night to adore Radha.

Temples

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/61/Temple_GovindaDev.JPG" caption="Govind Dev Temple, Vrindavan"] ::

Vrindavan, the land of Radha Krishna has about 5500 temples dedicated to them to showcase their divine pastimes. Some of the important pilgrimage sites are -

City of Widows

Vrindavan is also known as the "city of widows" due to the large number of widows who move into the town and surrounding area after losing their husbands. There are an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 widows. Many live in extreme poverty and spend time singing bhajan hymns at bhajanashrams, as documented in historian William Dalrymple's The Age of Kali (1998). An organisation called Guild of Service was formed to assist these deprived women and children. According to a survey report prepared by the government, several homes run by the government and different NGOs for widows.

Culinary tradition

Vrindavan and Mathura, the twin cities which are associated with Krishna are main centers of Braj Cuisine. Vrindavan Peda, Vrindavan Dahi Arbi jhor, Vrindavan khichdi, Bedmi puri, Dubki Aloo jhor, Moong Dal cheela, Heeng Kachori are some of the famous cuisines popular in this religious city. ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f0/Vrindavan_wali_arbi_with_parata_(_vrindavan_colocasia_with_wheat_flat_bread).jpg" caption="Vrindavan Dahi Arbi with paratha"] ::

Transportation

Road

Vrindavan is well connected by roads and is connected to Delhi by National Highway (NH) 44 of the Golden Quadrilateral network. Earlier it was NH 2.

129 km from New Delhi

117 km from Gurgaon

54 km from Agra

9 km from Mathura

While in Vrindavan, battery-powered e-rickshaw are available for commuting within city limits.

Rail

Flight

The nearest Airports are Agra Airport which is 71.3 km away and New Delhi International Airport is 150 km away.

Noida International Airport in Jewar is expected to open in May 2025.

Gallery

KesiGhat River.JPG|Keshi Ghat on banks of the Yamuna river Vrindavan, India (20566547434).jpg|Rangaji Temple of Vrindavan PremMandirSideViewFromCanteen.jpg|Prem Mandir, Vrindavan ISKON TEMPLE 1.jpg|Krishna Balaram Mandir Madanmohan Mandir Vrindavan.JPG|Radha Madan Mohan Temple, Vrindavan Radharani 5.jpg|Wall art of the name Radha Pagal Baba Mandir.jpg|Pagal Baba Temple

References

References

  1. (13 May 2023). "BJP's mayoral candidate from Mathura Vinod Agarwal wins". ET Now News.
  2. (2020). "Krishna's Playground: Vrindavan in the 21st Century". Oxford University Press.
  3. (27 October 2017). "UP gets first officially designated 'teerth sthals' in Vrindavan and Barsana". [[Times of India]].
  4. "NHAI".
  5. Keene, Henry George. (1899). "A Handbook for Visitors to Agra and Its Neighbourhood". Thacker, Spink & Co..
  6. Gopal, Madan. (1990). "India through the ages". Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India.
  7. "Development of Ramayana and Krishna Circuits".
  8. Bhattacharya, G.. (2003). "Oxford Art Online". Oxford University Press.
  9. (1909). "Brindaban". [[The Imperial Gazetteer of India]].
  10. (25 January 2020). "Watch {{!}} John Stratton Hawley on His Latest Book on 'Krishna's Playground'". The Wire.
  11. "Discovery of Vrindavan by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu".
  12. (10 September 2021). "जहां राजा महेंद्र का बचपन बीता वहां से ग्राउंड रिपोर्ट: वृंदावन में बनाया था एशिया का पहला पॉलिटेक्निक कॉलेज, यमुना किनारे बनी है राजा की समाधि; लेकिन अब खंडहर हो गया निवास स्थान".
  13. "Mathura: स्वतंत्रता आंदोलन का केंद्र बिंदु रहा प्रेम महाविद्यालय, अब बनेगा स्मारक".
  14. Today, Vrindavan. (15 August 2021). "Independence-Day Special: The story of Vrindavan's Prem Mahavidyalaya, Raja Mahendra Pratap and India's freedom struggle".
  15. "Maps, Weather, and Airports for Vrindavan, India".
  16. "Census of India: Vrindavan".
  17. Jayant Pandurang Nayaka. (1974). "A students' history of education in India (1800–1973)". Macmillan.
  18. Lucia Michelutti. (2002). "Sons of Krishna: the politics of Yadav community formation in a North Indian town". London School of Economics and Political Science University of London.
  19. (11 February 2021). "vrindavan mahatmya".
  20. (9 March 2023). "Holi: Bringing fleeting color to the lives of Vrindavan's widows". The Indian Express.
  21. Klaus Klostermaier. (2007). "A Survey of Hinduism". State University of New York Press; 3 edition.
  22. Lynch, Owen M.. (31 December 1990). "Divine Passions". University of California Press.
  23. (12 August 2020). "Do you know about the 'mysterious' Nidhivan in Vrindavan where Krishna still performs Raasleela?". The Times of India.
  24. Rājaśekhara Dāsa. (2000). ["The Color Guide to Vṛndāvana: India's Most Holy City of Over 5,000 Temples"]({{Google books). Vedanta Vision Publication.
  25. [http://news.vrindavantoday.org/2016/06/seven-main-temples-of-vrindavan Seven main temples of Vrindavan] {{Webarchive. link. (13 August 2017 , Vrindavantoday.org)
  26. Anand, D.. (1992). "Krishna: The Living God of Braj". Abhinav Publications.
  27. "Sri Radha Raman in Vrindavan".
  28. "Banke-Bihari Temple website".
  29. (14 July 2014). "The Hare Krishnas in India". Princeton University Press.
  30. (19 July 2016). "Radha Damodar Mandir, Vrindavan - Info, Timings, Photos, History".
  31. "ISKCON Vrindavan - Home".
  32. "Top 10 Largest Hindu Temples Worldwide".
  33. (20 August 2013). "Famous Krishna Temples in India".
  34. Kumar, Mayank. (13 February 2012). "Kripaluji Maharaj's Prem Mandir will be inaugurated on 17 February". Aaj Ki Khabar.
  35. "News18.com: CNN-News18 Breaking News India, Latest News Headlines, Live News Updates".
  36. (16 November 1997). "India's widows live out sentence of shame, poverty". CNN.
  37. (2 May 2013). "The Indian town with 6,000 widows". BBC News.
  38. (8 March 2019). "The widows of Vrindavan". cnbctv18.com.
  39. Sheik, Fazal. (6 July 2006). "Catalyst Magazine: ''Moksha: the widows of Vrindavan''".
  40. (5 July 2007). "''Shunned from society, widows flock to city to die''". CNN.
  41. "Sulabh dons mantle".
  42. "Braj Cuisine Echoes The Legends Of Lord Krishna, Radha And Holi".
  43. (1 July 2010). "Budget bites". The Times of India.

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vrindavankrishnacities-and-towns-in-mathura-districtwidowhood-in-indiayamuna-riverkrishna-templesplaces-in-hindu-mythologyhindu-holy-citieshindu-pilgrimage-sites-in-indiaancient-indian-cities