Lord Krishna Vrindavan Dwarka

Visiting Mathura and Vrindavan: A Krishna Pilgrimage Guide

Getting There:
The nearest airport to Mathura is Agra airport located about 50 km away. For international travelers, the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi is the most convenient major hub, approximately 147 km from Mathura. Mathura is well-connected to Delhi via the Noida–Agra Expressway.

Travel Tip:
It's highly recommended to rent a car with a driver in Delhi to comfortably explore Mathura and Vrindavan at your own pace. Mathura and Vrindavan tend to get A crowd In general, just be vigilant about your belongings, avoid beggars and giving any money (the ones in mathura vrindavan are way more persistent than other places), and wear covered clothing. If you are traveling alone or as a group of 2-4 then best if you hire an English speaking guide locally to make your trip easier. They will watch out for you and your interests. Another option is to keep the mobile number of your hotel with you in each place so that in case you get stuck or need help or a translator, then it is just a phone call away.

Monkeys may steal your glasses off your face, beware.

------------------------------------------------------

The Birth and Early Life of Lord Krishna

Mathura, was ruled by the cruel King Kamsa, who had imprisoned his own sister Devaki and her husband Vasudeva, for it was foretold that their child would bring about his downfall. One by one, Kamsa killed their children, until the eighth child, destined to be Krishna, was born.

Devaki gave birth to a radiant baby boy, the prison doors opened, the guards fell into a deep slumber, Carrying the newborn in a basket, Vasudeva stepped into the river Yamuna, wild with rain, which parted for him. Overhead, the serpent Sheshnag spread his hoods to shield the divine child from the rain.

Vasudeva crossed the Yamuna River and reached the village of Gokul, where he found the house of Nanda and Yashoda, the chieftain and his wife. Yashoda had just given birth to a baby girl. Vasudeva exchanged the infants, leaving Krishna in Yashoda’s care, and returned to the prison with the girl.

When Kamsa came to kill the baby it seemed it was a girl and no threat from the legend about a boy.

Krishna in Gokul

In Gokul, Krishna grew up as the beloved son of Yashoda and Nanda Maharaj. His divine charm and playful nature captivated the hearts of all.

Krishna’s divine leelas (playful miracles) became daily wonders. He showed the entire universe in his open mouth to his astonished mother. He stole butter with his friends and teased the gopis (milkmaids), who nevertheless adored him. His laughter echoed in the lanes of Gokul, and the whole village pulsed with joy and devotion.

But Gokul was no longer safe and strange events unsettled the villagers. The wise elders decided to move the entire community to a more secure location.

The Move to Vrindavan

Thus the people of Gokul migrated with their cattle and carts to the forested village of Vrindavan, nestled near the Yamuna. There, Krishna’s boyhood blossomed fully.

In Vrindavan, he played his flute beneath the kadamba trees, enchanting animals, birds, and human hearts alike. With his brother Balarama, he herded cows and played in the meadows. He subdued the monstrous serpent Kaliya who had poisoned the Yamuna, dancing upon its hoods until it surrendered. He lifted Govardhan Hill on his little finger to protect the villagers from the wrath of Indra, the rain god.

These are tales of Vrindavan—where the divine child had already begun to awaken the world to love, beauty, and spiritual longing

------------------------------------------------

Krishna and Radha in Vrindavan

In Vrindavan, the Krishna grew into a radiant youth. The forests and riverbanks echoed with his flute, a melody so enchanting it stirred the trees, calmed the animals, and captured the hearts of the gopis—the milkmaids of the village. Among them was one whose soul was eternally bound to Krishna—Radha.

Radha was not merely one of the gopis. She was the embodiment of devotion, the eternal consort of Krishna, and the soul of divine love itself. Though she was older in years, their love transcended time and age. When Krishna played his flute in the moonlight, Radha would leave behind all worldly duties and run to meet him in the forests of Vrindavan.

Their love was not of the world. It was pure, spiritual, and timeless—a dance of the soul yearning for union with the divine. In the sacred groves of Vindavana, under kadamba trees and beside the shimmering Yamuna River, Krishna and Radha danced the, the celestial play of love where time stopped and the stars held their breath.

Though Radha and Krishna were never married in the earthly sense, their bond was deeper than any ritual. It symbolized the perfect union between the seeker and the Divine, between bhakti (devotion) and God.

Krishna’s playful acts—stealing butter, teasing the gopis, playing with his brother Balarama, and performing miracles—continued to draw joy and awe across Vrindavan.

---

Departure from Vrindavan

As Krishna approached the age of 18, news came from Mathura: the tyrant Kamsa had invited Krishna and Balarama to attend a grand festival and participate in a wrestling match. But it was a trap—Kamsa hoped to kill them. He parted from Radha, their last meeting suffused with unspoken grief and eternal love. in Radha’s heart, he remained forever. For their love was not bound to geography or time—it was the eternal longing of the soul for the Divine Beloved.

KRISHNA AND BROTHER BALARAMA LEAVE RADHA AND VRINDAVAN

---

Krishna in Mathura and the Death of Kamsa

Upon reaching Mathura, Krishna and Balarama walked the city streets, meeting humble citizens who whispered of Kamsa’s cruelty. At the festival arena, they faced and defeated Kamsa’s fearsome wrestlers. Then, Krishna leapt to the royal platform, seized the tyrant, and slew him—fulfilling the prophecy and freeing Mathura from terror.

He then released his parents Devaki and Vasudeva from prison and restored the rightful king, his grandfather Ugrasena, to the throne.Thus ended Krishna’s childhood and youth, marked by divine love, miracles, and play—and began his life as a statesman, guide, and protector of dharma.

'The Ghats of Mathura' Edwin Lord Weeks, artist, painter and explorer, 1849 – 1903. Born in Boston. He made many voyages to the East, and was distinguished as a painter of oriental scenes.

Why Krishna Left Mathura and Journeyed to Dwarka

After Krishna slew Kamsa and freed Mathura, he restored peace and placed his grandfather Ugrasena on the throne. The people rejoiced, and Krishna, along with his brother Balarama, lived in Mathura as heroes.

But peace did not last long.

Kamsa’s father-in-law, Jarasandha, the mighty king of Magadha, was furious. His daughters—Kamsa’s wives—were now widows, and he blamed Krishna. A great warrior and powerful ruler, Jarasandha attacked Mathura, not once, but seventeen times with massive armies. Krishna, who always acted to protect dharma and preserve life, made a wise and compassionate decision.

---

The Founding of Dwarka

Krishna decided to relocate the Yadava clan—his people—from the vulnerable city of Mathura to a distant, secure location. He chose a remote island off the western coast of India, near the sea in present-day Gujarat. With divine help from Vishwakarma, the celestial architect, Krishna built a magnificent fortified city there—Dwarka, meaning "gateway to the divine."

Dwarka was a marvel: golden palaces, broad avenues, beautiful gardens, temples, and sea walls that protected it from every side. It became a flourishing seaport and spiritual center, a haven where the Yadavas could thrive in peace and prosperity.

Krishna moved his entire community there, away from the constant battles of the north, and settled as a prince, guide, and statesman. Though he had left Vrindavan and Mathura behind, his purpose now shifted toward guiding kings, advising dharmic rulers, and preparing the world for the coming epic events of the Mahabharata.

Krishna’s Marriages and Family Life

Krishna fulfilled his earthly duties as a householder in Dwarka. He married Rukmini, the princess of Vidarbha, who deeply loved Krishna and fled her forced marriage with his help. Rukmini became Krishna’s principal queen. She is considered the earthly incarnation of Lakshmi, the goddess of fortune.

Krishna saved Rukmini The Princess Rukmini from an evil king. Rukmini sent a secret message to Krishna, asking for his protection. He took her on his chariot, and they escaped to Dwarka. Krishna married Rukmini, making her his queen. Their story represents the triumph of true love, righteousness, and good over evil. Rukmini was the principal wife of Lord Krishna. Krishna had many sons, the most notable being Pradyumna, born of Rukmini, and considered a partial incarnation of Kama, the god of love.

In Dwarka, Krishna became the pillar of dharma in the world, supporting the Pandavas, resolving conflicts among kings, and preparing for the great battle of Kurukshetra. He took no weapon in the war, but became Arjuna’s charioteer and divine teacher, delivering the timeless wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita.

Dwarka thrived under his guidance—a kingdom of peace, devotion, and righteousness. Yet even here, destiny moved silently toward the end of an age, as foretold in the scriptures.

Krishna in the Mahabharata War

As the great war of Kurukshetra approached, both the Pandavas and Kauravas sought Krishna’s support.

On the battlefield, when Arjuna hesitated to fight, Krishna revealed his divine form and spoke the Bhagavad Gita, a spiritual teaching on duty, selflessness, and the eternal soul.

Krishna did not fight, but his presence shaped the course of the war. With his guidance, the Pandavas were victorious. Yet the war left deep sorrow—millions perished, and even the victors bore heavy losses.

The Final Days of Krishna and Dwarka

The Mahabharata war is a complex tale intertwining morality, duty, and the harsh realities of life and death, leaving a lasting legacy on Indian culture and spirituality. A titanic clash between two groups of cousins, the Pandavas and the Kauravas. Krishna, though related to both sides, chose to side with the Pandavas. He offered himself as a non-combatant advisor and charioteer to Arjuna, one of the Pandava brothers. The war lasted for eighteen days on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Krishna imparted the spiritual wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita, teaching Arjuna about duty (dharma) and righteousness. End of an Era: The war marked the end of the Dvapara Yuga and the beginning of the current Kali Yuga, a darker age of strife and moral decline. The Pandavas then renounced their kingdom and embarked on a great journey towards the Himalayas.

Lord Krishna shows Arjuna his cosmic form

When negotiations between Pandavas and Kauravas break down Krishna declares that he is more than human and displays his cosmic form to Arjuna. On the battlefield of Kurukshetra in the war between the Pandavas and Kauravas. Vishvarupa is considered the supreme form of Vishnu, where the whole universe is described as contained within him

Vishvarupa has innumerable forms, eyes, faces, mouths and arms. All creatures of the universe are part of him. He is the infinite universe, without a beginning or an end. He contains peaceful as well as wrathful forms. Unable to bear the scale of the sight and gripped with fear, Arjuna requests Krishna to return to his human form, Fully encouraged by the teachings and darshan of Krishna in his full form, Arjuna continues the Mahabharata War

After the war, Krishna returned to Dwarka. Time passed, and as the age of Dwapara Yuga neared its end, the Yadavas, once noble, grew proud and unruly.

Imaginary image of Lord Krishna, resting under a tree, when he was mistaken for a deer by a hunter and shot with an arrow. Lord Krishna died and his death marked the beggining of of Kali Yuga.

-----------------------------------------

A curse from sages foretold their destruction.

One day, a drunken quarrel among the Yadavas turned violent. In a tragic civil war, they killed one another. Balarama, Krishna’s brother, quietly left his body in meditation.

Then, alone in the forest, Krishna sat under a tree. A hunter named Jara, mistaking Krishna’s foot for a deer, shot an arrow. As foretold, Krishna accepted this as the destined moment of his departure.

With serene grace, Krishna left his earthly body and returned to his eternal, formless existence. Soon after, Dwarka was swallowed by the sea, disappearing into legend.

------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------

Dwarka is now an important Hindu pilgrimage destination. This journey is from Jamnagar to Bet Dwarka. With a possible side trip to the Gir Lion Forest. "Every Avatar born in India has at least once visited Gir during his lifetime.". The ancient hills of Girnar contain some of India's oldest caves, dating back to the time of King Ashok..

Meher Baba. There Baba sat for two hours in seclusion in a cave named after King Bharthari in 1948 — a saintly king of olden times.

Krishnas Dwarka Palace Now

It wasn't until the late 20th century that underwater archaeologists stumbled upon remnants and ruins off the coast of present-day Dwarka. Excavations have revealed structures and artifacts resembling the descriptions of ancient Dwarka from ancient texts and scriptures. This discovery brought the lost city of Lord Krishna into the realm of historical fact rather than myth." Once known as Dwarawati, Dwaraka is one of the seven most ancient cities.

Beyt Dwarka Island, also known as Bet Dwarka or Beyt Shankhodhara, is historically and religiously significant as the ancient port city of Krishnas' Dwarka. Beyt Dwarka now is one of the few remaining parts that remain above the sea level. The Beyt Dwarkadhish Temple, located on the island, is one of the main pilgrimage sites, attracting thousands of devotees annually. One must get to the island by ferry from Okha.

The time from when lord Krishna died is considered to be the beginning of Kaliyuga.

--------------------------------------

Fly to Ramnagar

Dwarka City Now

The present city of Dwarka stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Lord Krishna. The city remains a sacred site, attracting pilgrims, who come to experience the divine aura and immerse themselves in the rich cultural heritage that echoes the time of the great Lord Krishna. Easy to enjoy 4-5 days in Dwarka, by the sea.

Shivrajpur Beach.

Beyt Dwarka from Okha

Once you are staying in the city of Dwarka, Take an overnight trip to Okha which is a 45 minute drive further North from Dwarka. There are a few hotels in Okha. The Mariners Inn is a good choice and can help arrange ferry tickets for you to visit the island of Beyt Dwarka. Photography is strictly prohibited in the temples, no electronic devices including mobiles are allowed. You will have to deposit them into the lockers at the entrance. The journey from Dwarka to Okha by bus is 2 hours. Ferries to Bet Dwarka from Okha are literaly packed full. Ferry ride is 15 minutes. You can hire a private boat.

Once on the island there are tuk tuks available. Several Important Hindu temples are on the island, Dwarkadhish Temple (Jagat Mandir) is one of the four Pavitra Dham of India. Hindus from all over India come here to worship Lord Krishna, where Krishna ruled as a king. Shri Keshavraiji Temple is also an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Krishna.. The Gold Temple is well built and consists of Krishna’s tales from birth to Dwarka. An important shrine in the Krishna temple of Bet Dwarka is the one dedicated to his birth mother. It is right opposite to the main Krishna temple as it is believed Lord Krishna liked to open his eyes and see his mother in the morning.

Close to the temple is a lovely beach called the Hanuman Dandi beach, you can visit when you head to the temple.

You must return to Okha for the night then back to Dwarka

------------------------------------

Leaving Dwarka drive south 4 hrs. to Somnath to visit the temple known as the Bhalka Tirth Temple.

With Lord Krishna's departure, Hidden in the depths of time, a cataclysmic event loomed over the city. Dwarka was consumed by the waves of the Arabian Sea. The once glorious city, its splendid palaces, bustling markets, and grand temples were swallowed by the vast ocean waters.

Somnath

In Somnath here is a temple known as the Bhalka Tirth Temple, which marks the place where Krishna is said to have been mistakenly shot by a hunter. Inside the temple, there is a statue of Krishna reclining under a tree, depicting the moment just before his departure.

Devotees visit this temple to pay their respects and to remember the life and teachings of Krishna. The site is not only a place of mourning for Krishna's physical departure but also a place of celebration of his life and spiritual legacy.

After Dwarka you could visit Veraval and the nearby Gir Lion Forest.

Veraval and Gir Forest

DRIVE FROM Dwarka to Veraval 3.5 hours. Veraval and the nearby Gir Lion Forest. Many hotels in Veraval. The are very many hotels and resort hotels surrounding Sassan Gir as well.

The drive from Veraval to the entry gate of the Gir Forest is 25 miles or about 50 minutes. You will need a prior reservation to enter the gate. It is said that Rama, Krishna and Buddha all visited and spent time in the Gir Forest. The last of the Asiatic Lions are protected there. Unlike the other big cats, lions here are tolerant of the presence of humans and even live near the human settlements.There are many wild peacocks throughout the forest, you will see them as you race around in an open jeep with your guide searching to spot a lion! .. along with leopards and antelopes.

The Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as Sasan Gir is the only place where Asiatic Lions can still be found. They are the last of the Asiatic Lions. The park is made up of hilly terrain with arid scrubland. A dry deciduous forest with teak trees is present throughout the park. Gir best time to visit is between December and March.

INDIA PILGRIMAGE

----------------------------------