Vrindavan, some 15 km from Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, is one of the holiest Hindu pilgrim centres linked with the childhood of Lord Krishna.
It has a rich concentration of temples—Banke Bihari, ISKCON Krishna-Balaram, Radha Raman and Prem Mandir among them—and is part of the larger Braj circuit being promoted by the Government of India and state tourism department.
Formal tourism material emphasises Vrindavan's religious heritage, temple design, and yearly religious calendars attracting lakhs of pilgrims, especially during Janmashtami and Holi. Crowd control has been the emphasis of governance in recent times, along with urban facilities and heritage-friendly re-development.
After a 2022 Janmashtami stampede at Banke Bihari, courts demanded infrastructure improvements.
In 2025, the Supreme Court allowed the Uttar Pradesh government to utilise Banke Bihari Trust funds (with precautions) for acquiring land to construct a Mathura-Vrindavan corridor to reduce congestion; the project involves enhanced access with keeping land in the deity's name.
In addition, the state is rehabilitating the affected families and shop owners with compensation and resettlement plans being coordinated by the Mathura-Vrindavan Development Authority. Environmental protection in and around Vrindavan has also ramped up.
The pollution of the Yamuna—previously complained about by the NGT and the courts—has driven action against offenders and wider orders to Delhi, Haryana and UP.
Simultaneously, a large-scale eco-renewal project in the Sunrakh reserve forest (within the Taj Trapezium Zone) is being undertaken to eradicate the invasive Prosopis juliflora and plant native species such as Krishna Kadamb, linking ecological objectives with cultural memory of Braj's sacred groves.
On Shri Krishna Janmashtami, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced his government's resolve to develop a grand temple complex in Mathura and Vrindavan on the lines of Ayodhya's Ram Temple and Varanasi's Kashi Vishwanath Dham.
On Shri Krishna Janmashtami, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced his government's resolve to develop a grand temple complex in Mathura and Vrindavan on the lines of Ayodhya's Ram Temple and Varanasi's Kashi Vishwanath Dham. Speaking during celebrations at the birthplace of Lord Krishna, the Chief Minister stated that efforts are underway to create grandiose premises to ensure devotees face no hurdles. The announcement sparked discussions around the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections and the long-standing Krishna Janmabhoomi dispute involving 13.37 acres of land. In a debate on India First, petitioner's counsel Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain detailed the legal maintainability and historical documentary evidence regarding the temple's demolition in 1670. Representatives from the Bharatiya Janata Party, Samajwadi Party, and the All India Imam Association presented contrasting viewpoints on the legal proceedings, civilisational faith, historical records, and the broader political narrative surrounding Mathura.
A development plan has been outlined to build grand temple complexes in Mathura and Vrindavan on the lines of Ayodhya and Varanasi. The initiative aims to ensure devotees face no difficulties while boosting spiritual tourism across Uttar Pradesh. The announcement comes amid the ongoing legal dispute over the Krishna Janmabhoomi land in the sacred city, ahead of the 2027 state assembly elections.
During Janmashtami celebrations, plans were highlighted regarding the development of grand temple complexes in Mathura and Vrindavan, on the lines of the developments in Ayodhya and Kashi. The objective is to ensure that devotees face no difficulties and their religious faith encounters no hurdles. The administration emphasised the responsibility of the government to protect, support, and encourage public celebrations conducted within the framework of law, including events held across police stations and correctional facilities. It was stated that previous regimes failed to respect the sentiments of the public and insulted the cultural heritage of Ayodhya, Kashi, and the Braj region. Furthermore, it was noted that the state has transformed into a curfew-free and riot-free environment, where citizens are experiencing peace and stability under the current governance.
Speaking at the Panchayat Aaj Tak conclave in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath highlighted the structural transformation of the state across law and order, tourism, agriculture, enterprise, and primary education. In 2025, over 156 crore tourists visited the state, the CM said.
Aarti Khetarpal, a Vrindavan-based artist featured in the 2026 Grammy-nominated album Sounds Of Kumbha, proudly represented her faith on the red carpet.
On this special broadcast, the focus is on the vibrant New Year celebrations across India, specifically in Mathura. A reporter on the ground describes the electric atmosphere at the Banke Bihari temple, where thousands of devotees have gathered. The update highlights how people are eager to begin the year with a glimpse of the deity and prayers. Despite the jam-packed crowds, the correspondent notes the smiles and devotion on the faces of those waiting for darshan. The report also mentions simultaneous coverage from Manali, Srinagar, Hyderabad, and Ayodhya.
As India prepares to step into 2026, a massive surge of devotees has overwhelmed major religious destinations. This special report by India Today highlights the unprecedented rush at pilgrimage sites including Ayodhya, Puri, and Somnath. In Vrindavan, the Banke Bihari Temple administration has urged devotees to postpone visits due to choking traffic and packed streets. Similarly, authorities at Ujjain’s Mahakaleshwar and Varanasi’s Kashi Vishwanath Temple have suspended VIP and protocol darshan to manage the lakhs of devotees arriving daily. The Somnath Trust reports footfall crossing several lakhs, with numbers expected to rise further.
On this special report, the focus is on the massive devotee surge at India's religious destinations ahead of New Year 2026. From the Jagannath Temple in Puri to the Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan, lakhs of devotees are queuing up for 'darshan'. The programme highlights how administrations in Ujjain and Varanasi have suspended VIP protocols to manage the overflowing crowds. It also features visuals of the intense rush at Somnath and the Ganga Ghats as millions choose to start the year with prayers.
As the countdown to New Year 2026 begins, massive crowds have choked major pilgrimage sites across India. In a special report, India Today highlights the situation in Puri, Vrindavan, Ujjain, Somnath, and Varanasi. The rush is so intense that the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Ujjain's Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga have suspended VIP and protocol darshan to manage the surge. In Vrindavan, the Banke Bihari temple administration has urged devotees to 'postpone visits unless absolutely necessary' due to packed streets and traffic jams. Drone visuals from Varanasi capture thousands moving towards the Ganga Ghats. A devotee at one of the temples remarked, 'The temple has become very beautiful and beautiful.' Authorities are working round the clock as footfall crosses lakhs.
A masked Palaash Muchhal, mehendi still on his hands, was spotted praying at Premanand Maharaj’s ashram in Vrindavan.
In this Special Report, India Today’s Suesha Sawant speaks to newlyweds Ashlesha Sawant and Sandeep Baswana. The couple, who met on the sets of 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi', tied the knot in Vrindavan after a 22-year relationship. Sandeep Baswana shares, '22 years actually is not a very long time if you have been in love.' The actors discuss their organic decision to marry, the intimate ceremony with family, and their unconventional journey. They emphasize that their bond remains unchanged, with the wedding serving as a celebration for their parents and a legal formality.
A Vrindavan‑themed haldi turned into a visual spectacle—with a Yamuna‑inspired boat entry and an enchanting underwater fantasy setup.
Cricketer Virat Kohli and wife, actor Anushka Sharma are back in Mumbai after visiting Premanand Maharaj in Vrindavan today. The couple were clicked at the Mumbai airport.
The vibrant tradition of Lathmar Holi began in Nandagaon, marking the start of week-long Holi celebrations in the Braj
Holi, the festival of colours, was celebrated on Monday with full gusto across the country by people from all walks of life.
Here are the top developments. As many as 271 Rohingyas resorted to hurling stones at police personnel. They were seeking release from a centre in Kathua's Hiranagar area. Meanwhile, the overflowing Yamuna River has wreaked havoc in Uttar Pradesh's Mathura and Vrindavan.
The residents and priests in Vrindavan have written 108 letters written in blood. Here's why...
A student beat up his maths teacher in the classroom after being allegedly scolded for not bringing books to school in Mathura’s Vrindavan. In a video that has gone viral, the class 10 student can be seen being scolded by his teacher for allegedly not bringing a book into the classroom. The next moment, the boy was walked outside the classroom, after which he pushed his teacher, grabbed his collar and pinned him to the bench.
