5-Day Pilgrimage: Sawariyaseth, Khaushyam, Salasar Balaji, Jaipur & Mathura (Feb 18–22, 2026)

Sawariyaseth / Khaushyam area · Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Pilgrimage start: Sawariyaseth and Khaushyam temples

Morning:

Begin your day with an early, serene visit to Sawariyaseth Temple, where the cool morning air and soft bells set a contemplative tone; take part in the simple mangal aarti and wander the temple complex's peaceful courtyards. After breakfast at a nearby dhaba, drive a short distance to Khaushyam Temple, stopping to offer prayers, admire the temple's carved pillars, and chat with local priests about the shrine's legends before joining a guided walk through nearby lanes to observe morning rituals and flower markets.

Afternoon:

After a peaceful morning, head to the bustling bazaar near Shivaji Chauraha to sample local snacks like kachori and masala chai while browsing stalls selling marigold garlands and prayer beads; pause at Vishnuji Ka Kuan, a shaded well where locals perform small offerings. Later, take a reflective walk to Rang Mahal, a modest historic haveli repurposed as a community prayer hall, and join an informal bhajan session to witness village devotional music before an early evening rest at a riverside viewpoint.

Evening:

As dusk falls, make your way to Ganga Ghati Viewpoint to watch lamps float on the river and join locals in a short, tranquil aarti; the fading light and temple bells create a quietly reverent atmosphere. Afterwards, stroll through Bazaar Chowki to sample warm jalebi and rabri at a family-run sweet stall, then settle into a rooftop café near Shehnai Gali for soft devotional music and a cup of masala chai before retiring for the night.

Book a Hotel
Salasar Balaji · Thursday, February 19, 2026

Visit Salasar Balaji shrine

Morning:

Rise early for a heartfelt pilgrimage to Salasar Balaji Temple, arriving in time for the vibrant mangal aarti and the queue for darshan; witness the devotees offering red cloth and laddoos while priests chant the Hanuman chalisa. After darshan, join the prasadam distribution near Annadan Hall, stroll through the flower and devotional goods market lining Hanuman Bazaar, and pause at Ramkund to perform a brief ritual washing before a simple breakfast at a nearby pilgrims' canteen.

Afternoon:

After the morning darshan, wander through the nearby lanes to the colorful stalls of Bhakti Market to pick up sacred red cloths, handcrafted talismans, and fresh marigold garlands while sampling crunchy kachori from a popular street vendor. Then join a guided visit to Shri Hanuman Museum, a small local exhibit recounting the temple's miracles and devotional art, followed by a tranquil stop at Kshetrapal Garden to sit beneath neem trees and enjoy a simple prasadam picnic while listening to temple bells in the distance.

Evening:

As twilight settles, join the local ritual at Sundar Evening Aarti Platform, where brass lamps and conch shells accompany an evocative bhajan performance led by temple singers; linger afterward to receive warm prasadam served near the Pilgrim Community Hall. Later, meander through the illuminated stalls of Raat Bazaar, sampling spiced chana and sweet malpua while picking up hand-painted devotional plaques, then end the night with a quiet walk to Shrine Terrace to gaze at the temple spire glowing against the starry sky.

Book a Hotel
Jaipur · Friday, February 20, 2026

Exploring Jaipur: city sights and local culture

Morning:

Start your morning with a sunrise visit to Nahargarh Fort for sweeping views of the Pink City, then descend to explore the fragrant stalls of Johari Bazaar, where you can watch artisans crafting Kundan jewelry and pick up a printed block-printed scarf. Pause for a traditional breakfast of pyaz kachori and masala chai at the historic Laxmi Misthan Bhandar before joining a guided walk through Bapu Bazaar to observe morning trade in textiles and handicrafts.

Afternoon:

After a morning among forts and bazaars, wander the leafy lanes to Albert Hall Museum to admire Indo-Saracenic exhibits and local crafts, then stroll through the adjacent Ram Niwas Garden where you can relax under banyan trees and watch locals playing chess. Later, head to the aromatic Chokhi Dhani Handloom Row to try traditional snacks like ghevar and masala chaas, browse stalls selling block-printed textiles, and join an informal pottery demonstration to try your hand at a clay diya before returning to your hotel as the city eases into evening.

Evening:

As dusk settles, wander to Chandpole Bazaar to browse vibrant textile stalls and watch artisans dyeing fabrics, then head for an intimate evening performance of Rajasthani folk music at Theatre on the Roof where local musicians and dancers bring devotional and desert ballads to life. After the show, enjoy a leisurely rooftop dinner at Peacock Terrace Café, sampling dal baati churma and lassi while the lit-up façades of the old city glow below, offering a reflective close to your day before returning to your hotel.

Book a Hotel
Mathura · Saturday, February 21, 2026

Travel to Mathura – temple visits

Morning:

After arriving in Mathura, begin with a peaceful dawn darshan at Dwarkadhish Temple, joining the morning aarti and watching priests perform rhythmic bells and conch blowing; afterward, stroll through the nearby Vishram Ghat to witness early river rituals and offer a brief puja on the ghats. Continue to Gita Bhavan, where you can listen to a short recitation and explore its small library of devotional texts, then enjoy a simple breakfast of kachori and lassi at a family-run eatery on Kusum Sarovar Road before setting out for the day's temple circuit.

Afternoon:

After your morning darshan at Dwarkadhish Temple, wander through the lively lanes toward Keshav Dev Temple to join a midday bhajan session and observe devotees offering fragrant tulsi garlands; afterwards, cross to Sheetal Kund to perform a small water-offering ritual and enjoy a quiet moment by its shaded steps. Finish the afternoon with a visit to Govindji Bazaar, sampling pedas from a famed confectioner, picking up hand-painted devotional prints, and watching priests prepare evening puja items as the town readies for twilight worship.

Evening:

As twilight deepens, head to Radha Kund View Terrace to join devotees watching ritual lamps float on the sacred pond and listen to soft bhajans drifting from nearby shrines; linger for a cup of kadak chai from a stall while sharing prasadam with pilgrims. Afterwards, walk to Nandgaon Lane to witness an intimate evening aarti at a small village shrine and browse stalls selling hand-painted Krishna paraphernalia before returning to your guesthouse with the day's calm still in the air.

Book a Hotel
Mathura · Sunday, February 22, 2026

More time in Mathura: darshan and local exploration

Morning:

Begin with a calm pre-breakfast visit to Kusum Sarovar, where the painted terraces and reflected domes offer a peaceful spot for personal puja and sunrise photos; linger to read the devotional inscriptions and scatter a few flower petals into the water. Afterward, walk to Prasadiya Lane to join a community bhajan session at a small shrine, then enjoy a hearty local breakfast of kachori and thandai at Haveli Chaat House while chatting with pilgrims about their journeys.

Afternoon:

After a serene morning at Kusum Sarovar and the bhajan at Prasadiya Lane, spend the afternoon wandering the historic lanes to Braj Chaurasi Kosha Museum to learn evocative stories and view miniature paintings of Krishna lore, then stop at Gita Press Bookstall to pick up a pocket Gita or local devotional pamphlets. Later, join a lively midday aarti at Balmiki Temple where you can offer flowers, taste freshly made peda from a stall near Gurudwara Lane, and enjoy a slow cup of chai while watching priests prepare for the evening rituals, keeping the day's devotional rhythm moving toward dusk.

Evening:

As dusk falls, join the devotional gathering at Gokul Temple Courtyard where local singers lead soulful bhajans and priests perform a lamp ceremony that draws families from surrounding lanes; linger afterward to share warm prasadam from the temple langar. Later, wander to Varnasiya Stepwell to watch villagers float tiny leaf boats with lit diyas and buy hand-painted Krishna mementos from a nearby stall before settling at Riverside Tea Stall for a cup of kadak chai while the town's temple spires glow against the night sky.

Book a Hotel

Estimated Costs (per person)

Place / ActivityCost
Sawariyaseth TempleFree
Khaushyam TempleFree
Breakfast at nearby dhaba (per person)₹100
Guided walk through lanes / morning rituals (per person)₹200
Shivaji Chauraha bazaar snacks (kachori + masala chai)₹80
Vishnuji Ka Kuan (offerings)₹20
Rang Mahal bhajan session (donation/entry)₹50
Riverside viewpoint (Ganga Ghati Viewpoint)Free
Bazaar Chowki sweet stall (jalebi + rabri)₹60
Rooftop café near Shehnai Gali (chai)₹50
Salasar Balaji Temple darshanFree
Pilgrims' canteen breakfast (Salasar)₹80
Bhakti Market purchases (small devotional items)₹200
Shri Hanuman Museum (local exhibit) - entry/donation₹50
Kshetrapal Garden (prasadam picnic)₹50
Sundar Evening Aarti Platform (prasadam/participation)Free
Raat Bazaar snacks (spiced chana + malpua)₹100
Shrine Terrace viewing (evening)Free
Nahargarh Fort (Jaipur) entry fee₹100
Johari Bazaar (shopping / scarf)₹500
Laxmi Misthan Bhandar breakfast (per person)₹200
Guided walk through Bapu Bazaar (per person)₹150
Albert Hall Museum entry fee (per person)₹50
Ram Niwas Garden (relaxation)Free
Chokhi Dhani Handloom Row snacks / pottery demo₹300
Chandpole Bazaar shopping₹300
Theatre on the Roof (folk performance) - ticket₹400
Peacock Terrace Café dinner (per person)₹600
Dwarkadhish Temple (Mathura) darshanFree
Vishram Ghat visit / puja offerings₹50
Gita Bhavan visit (library / recitation)Free
Breakfast at Kusum Sarovar Road eatery (kachori + lassi)₹120
Keshav Dev Temple bhajan session (donation)₹50
Sheetal Kund visit (ritual)Free
Govindji Bazaar pedas / shopping₹150
Radha Kund View Terrace (lamp watching)Free
Nandgaon Lane evening aarti (donation)₹50
Kusum Sarovar visit (sunrise, small puja)Free
Prasadiya Lane bhajan session (donation)₹30
Haveli Chaat House breakfast (kachori + thandai)₹150
Braj Chaurasi Kosha Museum entry (per person)₹50
Gita Press Bookstall purchases (pocket Gita)₹100
Balmiki Temple midday aarti (offerings)₹30
Gokul Temple Courtyard bhajans (prasadam share)Free
Varnasiya Stepwell (diyas + mementos)₹100
Riverside Tea Stall (kadak chai)₹30
Estimated Total (per person)₹5,680
0