Jagrati SinghImagine a place so magical that it feels like a home away from home. For me, that place is Vrindavan.
Vrindavan is a small, sacred town in India that feels like it has been pulled straight out of a lost era. Vrindavan is to Hindus what Nazareth is to Christians. It is cherished as the town where Lord Krishna (Hindu deity) spent his childhood playing, performing miracles, sprinkling love wherever he went, and leaving behind tales that became the spiritual heart of devotion for millions of Hindus.
Radha (beloved of Lord Krishna) and Lord Krishna spent their childhood mostly together. They are not just Hindu deities; they are the heart of devotion in Vrindavan. Radha represents pure love and selflessness, while Krishna represents the divine himself. Their bond symbolizes the eternal connection between the soul and God. That’s why millions of Hindus worship them together.
That’s why, Vrindavan is seen as the land of divine love.
I often visit it with my favorite cousins. It’s not just a spiritual spot on a map for me. It has become a tradition that we have kept alive our whole lives. Every trip feels like adding another layer to this shared memory we’ve been creating together. A night out or a club can be crazily fun, sure, but that kind of thrill fades fast. This? It stays with me. Each visit ends the same way, with me wishing I had just a little more time there. That’s what makes it special to me.
A lot of Westerners come here every year just as tourists, but once their hearts and souls connect with the magical aura and energy of this place, many find that they want to give up their material lives and comforts to stay here for good, and many of them do.
Come along; let me take you back to the moment when I traveled to Vrindavan last year.
THE LIVING CANVAS OF VRINDAVAN
If you ask me how I feel while walking on the streets of Vrindavan, I’d say, “It makes me feel like I’ve stepped my foot on the same ground where Lord Krishna once wandered centuries ago”. The buildings have changed, the houses have changed, even the trees look different now, but the spiritual presence of Lord Krishna hasn’t shifted an inch. The air still carries that same quiet, powerful energy. From dusk till dawn, the atmosphere feels alive, charged, almost electric, with devotion.
Vrindavan feels like a living museum of Lord Krishna’s childhood. It’s like an authentic stage where the roles stay the same, but the characters keep changing.
Love is literally carved into the very soul of this place. I’ve seen many trees with names of Shree Radha and Lord Krishna etched into their bark. It shows us that even the trees of Vrindavan carry the old tales of love and devotion that make this place what it is.
The narrow streets of Vrindavan are simple. If you ever get the chance to visit, you won’t come across luxurious malls, tall buildings, or fancy mansions. Those are rare here. What you’ll mostly see are cows wandering freely, mischievous monkeys, countless guesthouses, vibrant local markets, family restaurants, street food vendors, small bakeries, shops overflowing with traditional Indian sweets (desserts), along with a lot of greenery that makes the town feel fresh and timeless. Nothing feels more grounded than walking barefoot on the streets of Vrindavan.
I dream of living such a quiet and slow life away from the city’s rush.
FAMOUS TEMPLES YOU CAN’T MISS
If you really want to dive into some of the rich Indian cultural experiences in Vrindavan, these temples are an absolute must-see.These are must-sees on any travel bucket list, just as they were on mine. Vrindavan is home to over 5,000 plus temples dedicated to Radha and Krishna, attracting millions of Hindus who come here to worship them.
BANKE BIHARI TEMPLE
This temple celebrates the playful, childlike form of Lord Krishna.
Entering Banke Bihari Temple feels like being immersed in a sea of shimmering colors, sacred sounds, the scent of fresh roses, and boundless devotion.
Every inch of the wall is covered with patterns and floral designs. It makes me feel like the colors are vibing with the crowd. This temple uplifts my mood, making me jolly, super excited, happier, and enlightened. After getting a glimpse of Lord Krishna and Shree Radha, I feel like I’ve washed away all my worries at that very moment.
ISKCON TEMPLE
The moment I entered the ISKCON temple, I was welcomed by the soothing sounds of chanting religious prayers, ringing bells, devotional songs and joyful dance. My heart felt safe, and my mind instantly calmed.The atmosphere radiated both peace and energy.
Honestly, it’s one of my favorite spots for taking selfies and aesthetic shots because it gives off old castle vibes. I just couldn’t stop capturing memories.
It’s famous for spreading Lord Krishna’s consciousness and teachings worldwide. You’ll actually find ISKCON temples in major cities all around the world, from New York to London to Sydney. It’s not just about rituals; ISKCON spreads the teachings of Lord Krishna, focusing on peace, devotion, and living a meaningful life.
PREM MANDIR
This temple always makes me feel like I have stepped out of the ordinary world into a different one. It’s naturally white but decorated with colorful lights at night. The paintings on the walls feel like storytelling in motion. Also, it’s famous for its light show, sound show, and fountain show, with Radha Krishna statues amidst the gardens. It brings Krishna and Radha’s stories to life through artistry, lights, and fountains. It’s less about rituals and more about experiencing devotion in the form of beauty.
One of my favorite experiences was joining the devotees during the dance session. I was watching them and then slowly got carried away. I couldn’t help butclap and enjoy the energyalongside them. It made me feel joyful, connected, and completely present in the moment.
And of course, who wouldn’t want toclick selfies and capture aesthetic shots at such a dreamy place that gives off fictional castle vibes?
SHRI RADHA RANI TEMPLE
It was just an hour’s drive from Vrindavan to Barsana, and also the perfect day trip. It’s built on a hilltop that is entirely dedicated to Shree Radha. It’s prominent for Hindus because it’s the town where Shree Radha was born. Millions of Hindus including me,visit this temple to honor her as the symbol of warm presence, unconditional love, and purity. It literally looks like a palace.
Whenever I climb up the stairs and reach the top, I see a panoramic view of the whole Barsana town. When the sun sets and darkness takes over, the town lights feel like stars in the sky.
TIME TO GO SHOPPING!
The little girl inside me goes over the moon every time she sees earrings, necklaces, bracelets, pretty long skirts, cute bags, teddy bears, and more in the local markets of Vrindavan. There’s a whole lot of buzz around those roadside markets for long, flowy skirts and pretty accessories among Western travelers and local tourists, including me. It’s not just shopping for me; it’s like I’m in a fairy tale where everyone around me dresses up like a royal princess . Honestly ! It’s my kind of therapy.
Trust me when I say this, girl! Your wardrobe is incomplete without the long, beautiful, designer skirts of Vrindavan.
RAAS LEELA
Raas Leela is an old traditional dance form. It is one of the most powerful ways to express the depths of your emotions. Radha and Krishna used to express their love for each other through this dance form. These lovebirds were accompanied by several gopis (cowherd maidens). Every gopi was attracted to the handsome and charming personality of Lord Krishna . His beauty is the topmost in the entire universe. The six opulences – Beauty , wealth, detachment, knowledge, wisdom, strength are all part of him.
In the religious greeting “Radha krishna”, Radha is always placed before Krishna. Radha is the spiritual energy and pure form of selflessness. She is the primary means to reach the supreme Lord Krishna.
NIDHIVAN
Radha Krishna used to perform Rasa Leela in this forest.The locals believe that Rasa Leela takes place even today at midnight in the absence of any living beings. Locals say that at night, the trees transform into gopis (cowherd maidens) at night and perform the dance. They also claim that no living being on earth can witness this supreme act with their eyes, and anyone who does may end up losing their sanity, eyesight or life. To this day, it’s still a mystery.
RAMAN RETI
Raman Reti feels like a cozy retreat, miles away from the chaos of everyday life. Imagine a place full of huts, sand, green shade trees, a deer sanctuary, and a beautiful pond. Locals and Westerners come here to sit, meditate, or simply walk barefoot on this cool sand.
When I was a kid, I used to run and play on the sand until I dropped. Then I would lie down on my back, and let the earth give me a gentle hug.
For me, it’s one of those places where you can breathe deeply, relax, and feel connected to something greater than yourself.
VANSHI VAT
This is the tree under which Lord Krishna used to play his melodious flute. After hearing the sweet sound of the flute, Radha and gopis (cowherd maidens), peacocks and other people couldn’t resist and would come running.
The best part about being connected to Indian roots is being able to enjoy raw tales of such places.
I’M HUNGRY! LET’S EAT SOMETHING
The most delicious and tempting snacks I always try to feel refreshing and charged during my trips are:
Peda – it’s a rich Indian dessert usually used as an offering in the temples of Vrindavan. It instantly melts in the mouth and gives off milky, sugary, and nutty flavors.
Golgappa – it’s a popular Indian street snack that’s basically a crunchy, hollow ball that you fill with a mix of spicy mashed potatoes, chickpeas and tangy tamarind water. The fun part? You pop the whole thing in your mouth in one bite, and it bursts with a crazy explosion of flavors like spicy, tangy, sweet, and savory all at once. For someone like me who prefers spicy over sweet, it’s my go-to snack.
Lassi – It’s a refreshing Indian drink made of yogurt, water, spices, and fruits. Last year, when I traveled during summer, this drink acted as a chilling reset button for me in the scorching heat of the sun.
My favorite memory is ending the day with my favorite chocolate ice cream and golgappas after spending the whole day roaming around temples, restaurants, and markets. Sounds like a happy ending!
Isn’t it?
I WANT TO GO BACK!
The atmosphere inside the temples and pilgrimage sites is like a catalyst. Once you enter, you’ll instantly receive a lot of healthy dopamine. The devotees sit together on the cold floors and sing bhajans and kirtans. They loudly chant “Hare Krishna , Hare Rama”, “Radhey Radhey Govinda, Govinda Radhe”, “Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna , Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare”etc. Everyone is so lost in the Prem ras of bhakti (devotion). The rhythmic beats of mridangam, kartal, harmoniums, etc.,naturally push you to join them. This soft energy allows strangers to forget all their worries and dance together as if there’s no tomorrow.
RADHEY! RADHEY!: THE SONG OF THE DEVOTEES
“Radhey! Radhey!” is a common way of greeting there among locals and tourists. It is mostly used by locals ranging from shopkeepers to devotees. This phrase flows like a river on the streets. It’s a reminder that the cloud of love for Shree Radha Krishna resides in every soul.
MONKEYS
The mischievous monkeys of Vrindavan are the real kings. These monkeys have eagle-like eyes. They don’t ask for things; they take them and elope. Bought some Frooti? Congratulations! You just bought their favorite drink.
One night, I was walking back from Prem Mandir to my guest house. Suddenly, a monkey appeared out of nowhere, grabbed my phone, and ran off into an abandoned palace. I froze for a second, totally freaked out!. Luckily, my cousin chased after it. We were panicking, and there they were, just sitting like bosses, plotting their next move. They were waiting for us to “buy” my phone back with a treat. Well, the deal finally closed with a chocolate biscuit. The monkey threw the phone, and I caught it!
That’s the day I learned it looks all cute and funny until it happens to you.
WHAT IT MEANS TO ME
It is the spiritual path that helps me to strengthen my relationship with Lord Krishna. Anyone weary of false relationships should surrender to the Almighty, who can never harm a true heart. Once the heart is devoted to Shree Radha Krishna , it no longer feels the need to flow anywhere else. It helps me to find my true purpose in life apart from worldly affairs.The vibes in the air hold the power to erase my anxiety and replace it with mental peace and happiness.
If you’re a first time traveler, here’s one thing you need to keep in mind. It’s not just a place to visit. You can’t fully satisfy your hunger for this spiritual adventure without feeling every moment of this journey.
Trevor Carlson
Kayla Cosmos
Cait Charles
