Editing Vrindavan

{{Short description|City in Uttar Pradesh, India}}
{{about|the city in Uttar Pradesh, India|the spiritual Vrindavan|Goloka|altar for Tulasi plant|Tulasi Vrindavana}}
{{Redirect|Brindavanam|the 2010 film|Brindavanam (2010 film)|the 2017 film|Brindavanam (2017 film)}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2024}} 
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| 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, Vrindavan|ISKCON Temple ]], [[Radha Madan Mohan Temple, Vrindavan|Radha Madanmohan Temple]], [[Radha Damodar Temple, Vrindavan|Radha Damodar Temple]], [[Radha Vallabh Temple, Vrindavan|Radha Vallabh Temple]], [[Prem Mandir Vrindavan|Prem Mandir]]}}
| pushpin_map              = India Uttar Pradesh#India
| pushpin_map_alt          = 
| pushpin_map_caption      = Location in Uttar Pradesh, India
| pushpin_label_position   = right
| coordinates              = {{coord|27.58|N|77.7|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name         = {{IND}}
| subdivision_type1        = [[List of states and union territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_type2        = [[List of districts of Uttar Pradesh|District]]
| subdivision_name1        = [[Uttar Pradesh]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[Mathura district|Mathura]]
| established_title        = <!-- Established -->
| established_date         = 
| founder                  = 
| named_for                = 
| government_type          = [[Municipal Corporation]]
| governing_body           = Mathura-Vrindavan Municipal Corporation
| leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name              = Vinod Agarwal<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.etnownews.com/news/live-mathura-vrindavan-mayor-election-result-2023-counting-news-online-latest-updates-vinod-agarwal-bjp-raja-mohtasim-ahmed-bsp-liveblog-100204223|title=BJP's mayoral candidate from Mathura Vinod Agarwal wins|date=13 May 2023|work=ET Now News|access-date=22 May 2023}}</ref>
| leader_party             = [[Bharatiya Janata 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     = <ref name="Census2011Gov"/>
| population_density_km2   = auto
| population_rank          = 
| population_demonym       = Vrindavan wasi
| demographics_type1       = Languages
| demographics1_title1     = Official
| timezone1                = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1              = +05:30
| postal_code_type         = [[Postal Index Number|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|Braj Bhasha dialect]]
}}
'''Vrindavan''' ({{IPA|hns|ʋɾɪnˈdɑːʋən|pron|Vrindavan.ogg}}; {{IAST3|Vṛndāvana}}), also spelt '''Vrindaban''' and '''Brindaban''',<ref name=":0" /> is a historical city in the [[Mathura district]] of [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[India]]. It is located in the [[Braj|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.<ref name="Hawley">{{cite book |surname=Hawley |given=John Stratton |title=Krishna's Playground: Vrindavan in the 21st Century |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2020 |isbn=978-0-19-012398-7 |place=Oxford; New York}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=UP gets first officially designated 'teerth sthals' in Vrindavan and Barsana|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/up-gets-first-officially-designated-teerth-sthals-in-vrindavan-and-barsana/articleshow/61277272.cms|date=27 October 2017|publisher=[[Times of India]]}}</ref><ref name="route">{{cite web |title=NHAI |url=http://www.nhai.org/NH2_Delhi_Kolkata_main.htm  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161204065036/http://www.nhai.org/NH2_Delhi_Kolkata_main.htm |archive-date=4 December 2016 |access-date=14 February 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Keene|first=Henry George|author-link=Henry George Keene (1826–1915)|title=A Handbook for Visitors to Agra and Its Neighbourhood|chapter-url=https://archive.org/stream/ahandbookforvis00keengoog#page/n113/mode/1up|chapter=Bindrabun|date=1899|publisher=Thacker, Spink & Co.|pages=98–106}}</ref> Vrindavan has about 5,500 temples dedicated to the worship of Krishna and his chief consort, [[Radha]].<ref name="Madan">{{cite book |last=Gopal |first=Madan |url=https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada |title=India through the ages |publisher=Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India |year=1990 |editor=K.S. Gautam |page=[https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada/page/176 176]}}</ref> It is one of the most [[sacred]] places for [[Vaishnavism|Vaishnava]] traditions.<ref name="Hawley" /><ref name="Madan" /> 

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]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Development of Ramayana and Krishna Circuits |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1513307 |website=pib.gov.in |access-date=15 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Bhattacharya |first=G. |title=Oxford Art Online |chapter-url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/gao/9781884446054.article.t090249 |chapter=Vrindavan |date=2003 |publisher=Oxford University Press |doi=10.1093/gao/9781884446054.article.t090249 |isbn=978-1-884446-05-4 }}</ref>

== Etymology ==
The ancient [[Sanskrit]] name of the city, {{lang|sa|वृन्दावन}} ({{IAST|Vṛndāvana}}), comes from its groves of ''vṛndā'' ([[Ocimum tenuiflorum|holy basil]]) and ''vana'' ([[Grove (nature)|grove]], forest).<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V09_023.gif |title=Brindaban|publisher=[[The Imperial Gazetteer of India]]|date=1909}}</ref>

== History ==
[[File:Swiatyniamadanmohan.jpg|thumb|The 17th century [[Radha Madan Mohan Temple, Vrindavan|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,<ref>{{cite news |date=25 January 2020 |title=Watch {{!}} John Stratton Hawley on His Latest Book on 'Krishna's Playground' |work=The Wire |url=https://thewire.in/urban/watch-john-stratton-hawley-book |access-date=3 March 2020}}</ref> and is an important Hindu pilgrimage site since long.

In contemporary times, [[Vallabha]] Charya, 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]].
[[File:Bankebihari temple main gate Vrindavan.JPG|alt=Banke Bihari Temple, Vrindavan|thumb|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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Discovery of Vrindavan by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu |url=http://www.mvtindia.com/history/discovery.htm  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110123021950/http://www.mvtindia.com/history/discovery.htm |archive-date=23 January 2011 |access-date=6 December 2019}}</ref>

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 [[peacock]]s, [[cattle|cows]], [[monkey]]s and a variety of bird species has been virtually eliminated.

== Geography ==
Situated on the west bank of the Yamuna River, about 15 kilometres north of  [[Mathura]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/36/Vrindavan.html|title=Maps, Weather, and Airports for Vrindavan, India|website=www.fallingrain.com|access-date=6 December 2019}}</ref> and 125 km from [[Delhi]], Vrindavan has an average elevation of 170&nbsp;metres (557&nbsp;feet).{{citation needed|date=July 2020}} The [[Yamuna]] river flows through the city.

=== Climate ===
{{Weather box
| 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 = 105.0
| Oct rain mm = 18.0
| Nov rain mm = 3.9
| Dec rain mm = 9.0
| year rain mm = 600.1
| 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 [[Indian Standard Time|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]]<ref name=IMDnormals>
{{cite web
| 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}}</ref><ref name=IMDextremes>
{{cite web
| 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}}</ref>
}}

== 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.<ref name="Census2011Gov">{{cite web |title=Census of India: Vrindavan |url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/pca/SearchDetails.aspx?Id=143385 |access-date=9 October 2019 |website=www.censusindia.gov.in}}</ref><ref name="nayaka1974">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kNQLHQAACAAJ |title=A students' history of education in India (1800–1973) |publisher=Macmillan |year=1974 |edition=6 |author=Jayant Pandurang Nayaka |author2=Syed Nurullah }}</ref>

Vrindavan lies in the cultural region of [[Braj]].<ref name="LuciaMichelutti1">{{cite web |author=Lucia Michelutti |date=2002 |title=Sons of Krishna: the politics of Yadav community formation in a North Indian town |url=http://etheses.lse.ac.uk/2106/1/U613338.pdf |access-date=20 May 2015 |work=PhD Thesis Social Anthropology |publisher=London School of Economics and Political Science University of London |page=49}}</ref>

==Culture and cityscape==
=== Religious heritage ===
{{Main|Radha|Krishna|Radha Krishna}}
[[File:Aindra Dasa Kartik 2009.JPG|thumb|[[ISKCON]] devotee singing bhajan in Vrindavan]]
Vrindavan is considered to be a sacred place for [[Vaisnavism]] tradition of [[Hinduism]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=vrindavan mahatmya |url=https://www.purebhakti.com/resources/ebooks-magazines/library/bengali-lib/books-2/979-vrndavana-mahatmya |access-date=25 July 2023 |website=purebhakti.com|date=11 February 2021 }}</ref> It is believed that Krishna spent part of his childhood in this city.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sengupta |first1=Arjun |date=9 March 2023 |title=Holi: Bringing fleeting color to the lives of Vrindavan's widows |language=en |work=The Indian Express |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-culture/widows-vrindavan-holi-8484907/ |access-date=4 June 2023}}</ref> The other prominent areas surrounding Vrindavan are [[Govardhan Hill|Govardhana]], [[Gokul]], [[Nandgaon, Uttar Pradesh|Nandgaon]], [[Barsana]], [[Mathura]] and [[Chhari|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.<ref name="kk2007">{{cite book |author=Klaus Klostermaier |title=A Survey of Hinduism |publisher=State University of New York Press; 3 edition |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-7914-7081-7 |page=204 |quote=The center of Krishna-worship has been for a long time Brajbhumi, the district of Mathura that embraces also Vrindavana, Govardhana, and Gokula, associated with Krishna from the time immemorial. Many millions of Krishna ''bhaktas'' visit these places every year and participate in the numerous festivals that re-enact divine scenes from Krishna's life on Earth, of which were spent in those very places |author-link=Klaus Klostermaier}} Vrinda means Tulsi (A sacred species of flora) and van as forest, therefore Vrindavan is a holy forest of Tulsi. Vijaypal Baghel, known as GreenMan is promoting, planting, and farming Tulsi in mass around the Vrindavan.</ref> The common salutation or greetings used in [[Braj|Braj region]] by its residents is ''[[Radhe Radhe]]'' which is associated with the Goddess Radha<ref>{{Cite book |last=Lynch |first=Owen M. |title=Divine Passions |date=31 December 1990 |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=978-0-520-30975-3 |pages=3–34 |language=en |chapter=ONE. The Social Construction of Emotion in India |doi=10.1525/9780520309753-002 |chapter-url=https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1525/9780520309753-002/html}}</ref> or [[Hare Krishna (mantra)|Hare Krishna]] which is associated with Krishna. Devotees of Krishna believe that he visits the town each night to adore Radha.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Srivastava |first1=Priya |date=12 August 2020 |title=Do you know about the 'mysterious' Nidhivan in Vrindavan where Krishna still performs Raasleela? |newspaper=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/destinations/do-you-know-about-the-mysterious-nidhivan-in-vrindavan-where-krishna-still-performs-raasleela/articleshow/65654845.cms |access-date=4 June 2023}}</ref>

=== Temples ===
[[File:Rangnathji Temple Vrindavan.jpg|thumb|Rangnathji Temple, Vrindavan]]
Vrindavan, the land of [[Radha Krishna]] has about 5500 temples dedicated to them to showcase their divine pastimes.<ref>{{cite book |author=Rājaśekhara Dāsa |url={{Google books|Q1cvAAAAYAAJ|page=|keywords=|text=|plainurl=yes}} |title=The Color Guide to Vṛndāvana: India's Most Holy City of Over 5,000 Temples |publisher=Vedanta Vision Publication |year=2000}}</ref><ref>[http://news.vrindavantoday.org/2016/06/seven-main-temples-of-vrindavan Seven main temples of Vrindavan], Vrindavantoday.org</ref> Some of the important pilgrimage sites are<ref>{{Cite book |last=Anand |first=D. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EsvSwdUgQYcC&q=radha+purana |title=Krishna: The Living God of Braj |date=1992 |publisher=Abhinav Publications |isbn=978-81-7017-280-2 |pages=42–86 |language=en |chapter=Temples and Places}}</ref> -
*[[Radha Madan Mohan Temple, Vrindavan|Shri Radha Madan Mohan Temple]], located near the Kalidah Ghat was built by Kapur Ram Das of [[Multan]]. One of the oldest temples in Vrindavan, it is closely associated with [[Chaitanya Mahaprabhu]]. The original deity of Madan Gopal was shifted from the shrine to [[Karauli]] in Rajasthan for safekeeping during [[Aurangzeb]]'s rule. Today, a replica of the original (deity) is worshipped at the temple
*[[Radha Raman Temple|Sri Radha Raman Mandir]], constructed at the request of [[Gopala Bhatta Goswami]] and houses a [[saligram]] deity of Krishna as [[Radha Ramana]], alongside [[Radha]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sri Radha Raman in Vrindavan |url=http://www.salagram.net/sstp-RadhaRamanVrindavan.html |access-date=6 December 2019 |website=www.salagram.net}}</ref>
*[[Banke Bihari Temple]], built in 1862<ref>{{Cite web |title=Banke-Bihari Temple website |url=https://www.bihariji.org/may08/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=26  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304032027/https://www.bihariji.org/may08/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=26 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |access-date=6 December 2019}}</ref> after the image of Banke-Bihari was discovered in [[Nidhivan, Vrindavan|Nidhivan]] by [[Swami Haridas]].
*[[Radha Vallabh Temple, Vrindavan|Radha Vallabh Temple]] is one of the ancient temple of Vrindavan. It was constructed in 1585 AD and was the first temple made up of red sandstones.<ref>{{Cite book |title=The Hare Krishnas in India |date=14 July 2014 |publisher=Princeton University Press |isbn=978-1-4008-5989-4 |pages=176–198 |language=en |chapter=Chapter 7. Cross-Cultural Dynamics of Mystical Emotions in Vrindaban |doi=10.1515/9781400859894.176 |chapter-url=https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/9781400859894.176/html}}</ref>
*[[Radha Damodar Temple, Vrindavan|Radha Damodar Temple]] is a [[Gaudiya Vaishnavism]] temple, which is dedicated to Radha Krishna and was constructed in 1542 CE.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 July 2016 |title=Radha Damodar Mandir, Vrindavan - Info, Timings, Photos, History |url=https://www.templepurohit.com/hindu-temple/radha-damodar-mandir-mandir-vrindavan/ |access-date=2 September 2021 |website=TemplePurohit - Your Spiritual Destination {{!}} Bhakti, Shraddha Aur Ashirwad |language=en-US}}</ref>
*[[Krishna Balaram Mandir|Sri Krishna-Balarama Temple]] was built by the [[International Society for Krishna Consciousness]] (ISKCON) in Raman-Reti.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ISKCON Vrindavan - Home |url=http://www.iskconvrindavan.com}}</ref> The principal deities of this temple are Krishna and Balaram, with Radha–[[Krishna|Shyamasundar]] and [[Gauranga|Gaura]]-[[Nityananda|Nitai]] alongside. Adjoining the temple is the samadhi of [[A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada]], the founder of ISKCON, was built in pure white marble.
*[[Prem Mandir Vrindavan|Prem Mandir]] is a spiritual complex situated on a 54-acre site on the outskirts of Vrindavan dedicated to divine love. The temple structure was established by spiritual guru [[Kripalu Maharaj]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 August 2013 |title=Famous Krishna Temples in India |url=https://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/slideshow/famous-krishna-temples-india_297.html |access-date=6 December 2019 |website=Zee News}}</ref> The main structure built in marble and figures of Krishna cover the main temple.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kumar |first=Mayank |date=13 February 2012 |title=Kripaluji Maharaj's Prem Mandir will be inaugurated on 17 February |publisher=Aaj Ki Khabar |url=http://www.aajkikhabar.com/News/Region/Kripaluji-Maharaj-s-Prem-Mandir-will-be-inaugurated-on-17th-February/690284.html  |access-date=29 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330113922/http://www.aajkikhabar.com/News/Region/Kripaluji-Maharaj-s-Prem-Mandir-will-be-inaugurated-on-17th-February/690284.html |archive-date=30 March 2014}}</ref>
*[[Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir]] is housed in a modern geodesic structure with a traditional gopuram based on [[Khajuraho]] style of architecture. It is being built by one of the [[ISKCON]] factions based in [[Bangalore]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=News18.com: CNN-News18 Breaking News India, Latest News Headlines, Live News Updates |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/iskcon-to-build-worlds-tallest-temple-at-mathura-from-today/458198-3-242.html  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140316105823/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/iskcon-to-build-worlds-tallest-temple-at-mathura-from-today/458198-3-242.html |archive-date=16 March 2014 |access-date=6 December 2019 |website=News18}}</ref> At cost of {{INRConvert|300|c}} it will be the tallest temple in world on completion.
*Shri Rambag Mandir, Vrindavan Shri Rambag Mandir is a Ramanandi Sampradaya temple, which is the first and oldest Shri Ram Mandir. Made up of white sandstones and dedicated to Shri Ram Darbara, the temple was constructed in 1930.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}

=== City of Widows ===
Vrindavan is also known as the "city of widows"<ref name="cnn">{{cite news |title=India's widows live out sentence of shame, poverty |url=http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9711/16/india.women/  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061129032657/http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9711/16/india.women/ |archive-date=29 November 2006 |work=CNN |date=16 November 1997 |access-date=25 March 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=2 May 2013 |title=The Indian town with 6,000 widows |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-21859622 |access-date=12 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=8 March 2019 |title=The widows of Vrindavan |work=cnbctv18.com |url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/photos/buzz/the-widows-of-vrindavan-2537551-12.htm |access-date=12 January 2021}}</ref> due to the large number of [[widow]]s who move into the town and surrounding area after losing their husbands. There are an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 widows.<ref name="catalyst">{{cite magazine |last=Sheik |first=Fazal |date=6 July 2006 |title=Catalyst Magazine: ''Moksha: the widows of Vrindavan'' |url=http://www.catalystmagazine.org/Default.aspx.LocID-0hgnew0ha.RefLocID-0hg01b001006009.Lang-EN.htm  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070403073306/http://www.catalystmagazine.org/Default.aspx.LocID-0hgnew0ha.RefLocID-0hg01b001006009.Lang-EN.htm |archive-date=3 April 2007 |magazine=Catalyst |access-date=25 March 2007}}</ref><ref name="cnn2">{{cite news |date=5 July 2007 |title=''Shunned from society, widows flock to city to die'' |work=CNN |url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/07/05/damon.india.widows/index.html |access-date=5 July 2007}}</ref> Many live in extreme poverty and spend time singing [[bhajan]] hymns at [[ashram|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.<ref name="cnn" /><ref name="cnn2" /> According to a survey report prepared by the government, several homes run by the government and different NGOs for widows.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sulabh dons mantle |url=http://www.sulabhinternational.org/content/sulabh-dons-mantle-good-samaritan-save-vrindavan-widows |access-date=6 December 2019}}</ref>

===Culinary tradition===
Vrindavan and [[Mathura]], the twin cities which are associated with Krishna are main centers of [[Braj Cuisine]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Braj Cuisine Echoes The Legends Of Lord Krishna, Radha And Holi |url=https://www.slurrp.com/article/holi-2023-braj-cuisine-echoes-the-legends-of-lord-krishna-radha-and-holi-1677850126840 |access-date=17 August 2024 |website=Slurrp |language=en |quote=Even now, Krishna is an integrated part of the Braj community and diet, influencing the culture in indelible ways. The essential elements of Braj cuisine are based on a few beliefs and traditions}}</ref> Vrindavan [[Peda]], Vrindavan Dahi Arbi jhor, Vrindavan khichdi,<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 July 2010 |title=Budget bites |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/budget-bites/articleshow/5517195.cms |access-date=23 August 2024 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257 |quote=There's even a dry fruit khichdi, which we didn't have the stomach to try and a Vrindavan khichdi, which comes with a side of Gatte ka saag and papad}}</ref> Bedmi [[Puri (food)|puri]], Dubki Aloo jhor, Moong Dal cheela, Heeng [[Kachori]] are some of the famous cuisines popular in this religious city.
[[File:Vrindavan wali arbi with parata ( vrindavan colocasia with wheat flat bread).jpg|thumb|left|300px|Vrindavan Dahi Arbi with paratha]]

==Transportation==
===Road===
Vrindavan is well connected by roads and is connected to [[Delhi]] by [[National Highway 44 (India)|National Highway (NH) 44]] of the [[Golden Quadrilateral]] network. Earlier it was NH 2.<ref name="route" />

129&nbsp;km from [[New Delhi]]

117&nbsp;km from [[Gurgaon]]

54&nbsp;km from [[Agra]]

9&nbsp;km from [[Mathura]]

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

===Rail===
*[[Vrindavan railway station|BDB/Vrindavan]] is on the Mathura-Vrindavan MG link.
*[[Vrindaban Road railway station|VRBD/Vrindavan Road]] is on the Agra-Delhi chord.

=== Flight ===
The nearest Airports are [[Agra Airport]] which is 71.3 km away and [[Indira Gandhi International Airport|New Delhi International Airport]] is 150 km away.

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

== Gallery ==
<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
</gallery>

== See also ==
{{Portal|India|Hinduism
}} 
* [[Barsana]]
* [[Bhandirvan, Vrindavan|Bhandirvan]]
* [[Gokul]]
* [[Goverdhan]]
* [[Mathura]]
* [[Nandgaon, Uttar Pradesh|Nandgaon]]
* [[Radha Kund]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|40em}}

== External links ==
{{Wikiquote}}
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikivoyage inline}}

{{Hindu holy cities}}
{{Krishna}}
{{Mathura district}}
{{Uttar Pradesh}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Vrindavan| ]]
[[Category:Krishna]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Mathura district]]
[[Category:Widowhood in India]]
[[Category:Yamuna River]]
[[Category:Krishna temples]]
[[Category:Locations in Hindu mythology]]
[[Category:Hindu holy cities]]
[[Category:Hindu pilgrimage sites in India]]
[[Category:Ancient Indian cities]]