Vrindavan and Golden Temple 6-Day Itinerary for Shoestring Budget Travellers

1. Day 1: Banke Bihari Temple
   10 minutes (1.2 km) from Vrindavan Bus Stand

   Visit the Banke Bihari Temple in the morning, one of the most popular temples in Vrindavan. Enjoy lunch at the nearby Govinda's restaurant, which serves delicious vegetarian food. In the evening, visit the Prem Mandir, a beautiful temple complex that offers a sound and light show after sunset.

2. Day 2: ISKCON Temple
   15 minutes (2.3 km) from Banke Bihari Temple

   Visit the ISKCON temple in the morning and attend the aarti ceremony. Enjoy lunch at the Govinda's restaurant at the temple complex. In the afternoon, visit the Radha Raman temple, which is known for its intricate architecture. End the day with a visit to the Seva Kunj, a serene garden dedicated to Lord Krishna and Radha.

3. Day 3: Prem Mandir
   10 minutes (1.2 km) from ISKCON Temple

   Start the day with a visit to the beautiful Prem Mandir and watch the musical fountain show. Enjoy lunch at a local eatery and then head to the Kusum Sarovar, a peaceful lake surrounded by gardens. In the evening, visit the Yamuna River Ghats and take a boat ride to witness the aarti ceremony.

4. Day 4: Golden Temple
   10 hours (650 km) from Vrindavan

   Take an early morning train to Amritsar to visit the Golden Temple, the holiest shrine of the Sikh religion. Spend the day exploring the temple complex, including the historic Jallianwala Bagh. Enjoy the delicious langar (community meal) at the temple complex. In the evening, watch the Wagah border ceremony.

5. Day 5: Wagah Border Ceremony
   32 minutes (29 km) from Amritsar

   In the morning, visit the Gobindgarh Fort in Amritsar. After lunch, start the journey back to Vrindavan. In the evening, attend the aarti ceremony at the Banke Bihari Temple.

6. Day 6: Parikrama
   10 minutes (1.2 km) from Banke Bihari Temple

   Start the day with the Parikrama, a circumambulation of the entire town of Vrindavan. Visit the Nidhivan temple, which is known for its mysterious legends. Enjoy lunch at a local eatery and then head to the Radha Damodar temple. End the day with a visit to the iconic Madan Mohan temple.

Recommendations

If you have an extra day, visit the nearby town of Mathura, which is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna. You can also take a day trip to Agra to see the Taj Mahal. To maximize your fun, try some of the local street food and shop at the local bazaars. Don't forget to bargain!

Time and Costs Estimates

• Banke Bihari Temple (2 hours, free)
• Govinda's Restaurant (1 hour, INR 400 for two)
• Prem Mandir (2 hours, INR 50)
• ISKCON Temple (2 hours, free)
• Radha Raman Temple (1 hour, free)
• Seva Kunj (1 hour, free)
• Kusum Sarovar (2 hours, INR 20)
• Golden Temple (6 hours, free)
• Jallianwala Bagh (1 hour, free)
• Wagah Border Ceremony (2 hours, free)
• Gobindgarh Fort (2 hours, INR 350)
• Nidhivan Temple (1 hour, free)
• Radha Damodar Temple (1 hour, free)
• Madan Mohan Temple (1 hour, free)
• Total Estimated Costs: INR 8200 for two people

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