Vrindavan, the holy land of Lord Krishna holds great spiritual significance for all devout followers. The childhood of Lord Krishna was spent at Vrindavan. If you are a devout follower of Krishna you would perhaps be able to spot him almost everywhere in Vrindavan even today. Your faith and love for the lord makes it all. When we recall the various incidents from Krishna’s childhood, the various Ghats of Vrindavan naturally come into picture.
These Ghats of Vrindavan were the places where Lord Krishna, as a child, had performed several antics and had played several pranks. The Ghats are all situated along River Yamuna which flows meanderingly across the city. Each Ghat of Vrindavan has an interesting mythical tale associated with it. Read on to learn about the various important Ghats of Vrindavan-
Keshi Ghat
Keshi Ghat got its name from the mythical tale that tells that at this Ghat lord Krishna had killed a dangerous demon Keshi sent by Kansa, Krishna’s maternal uncle to destroy Krishna. After killing the malicious Keshi, the lord had bathed in the River Yamuna and since then the same kind of practice remains among the devotees to take a holy dip in the river. Towards the evening ritualistic Aarti is done in honour of Mother Yamuna.
- Timings: 6:00 am – 8:00 pm
- Aarti timings: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
- Entry fee: No entry fee, Boat ride- Rs.100-150
- Best time to visit: October to March
- How to reach: 75 km from Agra, 150 km from Delhi, nearest airport- Agra, nearest railway station- Mathura (13 km).
Sri Radha Bagh Ghat
This Ghat lies in vicinity to Radha Bagh. One can find many peacocks as well as other birds flocking at the place and engaging in melodious strains perhaps in praise of the divine couple- Radha-Krishna.
- Location: Near Radha Bagh, Vrindavan
- Timings: 6:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Entry fee: No entry fee
- Best time to visit: Jan to May, Sept to Dec
Sri Andhra Chat Ghat
According to common mythical tales, this Ghat served as the locale for the game of hide and seek played between Lord Krishna and the Gopis of Vrindavan.
- Timings: Morning to Evening
- Entry fee: No entry fee
- Best time to visit: Jan to May, Sept to Dec
Kaliya Daman Ghat
At this Ghat Lord Krishna subdued the envious Kaliya, a thousand hooded snake who came to stay in the bed of River Yamuna. The snake spitted poison into the waters of Yamuna, terrorized all the people of Vrindavan and posed a threat to everyone’s life. Krishna thought to punish Kaliya and thus undertook the Kaliya Daman Leela at this spot. After a fierce fight with Kaliya the lord won over the serpent and was seen dancing a dance of victory on its hoods.
- Location: Near Madanmohan Temple
- Timings: Morning to Evening
- Entry fee: Free
Shringar Vat Ghat
Shringar vat Ghat is the place where Lord Krishna had done Shringar or makeup just like his beloved, Radha Ji.
- Location: Near Imlitala, bank of sacred Yamuna river Ji
- Timings: 6:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Entry fee: Free
Sri Varaha Ghat
The Varaha Ghat is situated on Yamuna River’s South Western side. The Ghat has a temple dedicated to Lord Varaha. According to common myths, paying Darshan at the Varaha temple, could allow one to absolve all sins and attain the grace and blessings of the lord.
- Location: Near south west side of Yamuna River
- Timings: 6:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Entry fee: Free
Chir Ghat
At Chir Ghat Lord Krishna is said to have stolen the garbs of the young Gopis and hidden those atop a Kadamba tree. The Gopis used to bathe in the river Yamuna after undressing themselves and leaving their clothes on the River bank. They were all engaged in performing the Katyayani Vrata to get blessed with the love of lord Krishna. To tease them and to teach them a lesson, Lord Krishna stole their garments at the Chir Ghat.
- Location: Bhanumati Rd, Gotam Nagar, Vrindavan
- Timings: 24 hours
- Entry fee: free
Bihar Ghat
This Ghat gets its name from a temple situated on the Ghat; the temple of the much revered Yugal Bihari Ji.
- Location: North of Yugal Ghat
- Timings: 24 hours
- Entry fee: free
Surya Ghat
The Surya Ghat lies close to the Madan Mohan temple. As per myths on this Ghat Lord Surya offered his heat to Lord Krishna who was feeling too very cold after staying under waters for hours during the Kaliya Daman incident. Surya dev was pleased with Krishna’s bravado and tried to warm him up. Sweat trickled down from Krishna’s body into the Yamuna River and purified the river by removing Kaliya’s poison from it. Thus, the Ghat came to be known as Surya Ghat.
- Location: Near Madan Mohan temple
- Timings: 6:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Entry fee: free
Gopal Ghat
At Gopal Ghat the overjoyed Nand Baba offered cows to the Brahmans upon seeing his son lord Krishna alive even after a long-spanned fierce underwater fight with the malicious serpent Kaliya who had spitted venom into the waters of Yamuna and poisoned it.
- Location: 13 km from Mathura railway station
- Timings: 6:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Entry fee: free
Govind Ghat
At Govind Ghat lord Krishna came to reunite with his beloved Radha Ji who had left him in the midst of a Raas, thereby making him totally desperate and sad.
- Location: Near Kashi and Cheer Ghat
- Timings: 24 hours
- Entry fee: free
Bhramar Ghat
Bhramar Ghat is an idyllic place surrounded by several floral trees and plants. The sweet fragrances of flowers attract a lot of bumble bees to the place which is why the Ghat is referred to as the Bhramar Ghat.
- Location: North of Chir Ghat
- Timings: 24 hours
- Entry fee: free
Imli Tala Ghat
The Imli Tala Ghat is the place where lord Krishna pined in absence of Radharani as she left him in the midst of the Raas Leela of Sharad Purnima. He was struck by intense anguish on being separated from Radhe and all that had occurred at the Imli Tala Ghat as per myths.
- Location: Parikrama Marg, Gotam Nagar, Vrindavan
- Timings: 6:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Entry fee: free
Yugal Ghat
As per myths, the divine couple-Radha and Krishna used to bathe together at the Yugal Ghat and till today anyone who bathes here is said to catch a glimpse of the divine couple.
- Location: North of Surya Ghat
- Timings: 6:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Entry fee: free
Sri Raj Ghat
At this Ghat Lord Krishna assumed the shape of Sri Ram ji and gave Darshan to the famous saint and poet Tulsi Das ji.
- Location: North of Adi Badri Ghat
- Timings: 24 hours
- Entry fee: free
Adi Badri Ghat
This Ghat lies towards Vrindavan’s south and is the place where lord Krishna had appeared as Badrinarayan to fulfill the wishes of the Gopis who wanted to see him in this form.
- Location: South of Panighat
- Timings: 24 hours
- Entry fee: free
Sri Jagannath Ghat
The story behind this Ghat is interesting one. The story goes that lord Jagannath once appeared in the dreams of a hermit informing him that he desperately wishes to go to Vrindavan. The hermit then spoke to the priest of Orissa’s Jagannath temple who told him to speak to the king. The king told in response that he would agree to send Jagannath Ji to Vrindavan only if he too was instructed by the lord in his dreams. The same happened and a beautiful temple was built for lord Jagannath at the Sri Jagannath Ghat of Vrindavan.
- Location: Parikrama Marg, Goda Vihar, Vrindavan
- Timings: 24 hours
- Entry fee: free
