Major city · India
Govardhanगोवर्धन
A half-day stop from Vrindavan or Mathura: walk the 21 km (13 mi) parikrama of Govardhan Hill, see Kusum Sarovar, then move on. One night only if you want the dawn walk.A half-day stop from Vrindavan or Mathura: walk the 13 mi (21 km) parikrama of Govardhan Hill, see Kusum Sarovar, then move on. One night only if you want the dawn walk.
Govardhan is a pilgrimage town in the Braj region of Uttar Pradesh, 26 km west of Mathura. Its main draw is the 21 km circumambulation of Govardhan Hill, which Hindus believe Krishna lifted to shelter the villagers. Most visitors come from Vrindavan or Mathura for a morning or afternoon, do the parikrama and return. The town has basic accommodation and a handful of temples, but no major sights beyond the hill and the reservoir of Kusum Sarovar.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- avoid Apr–Jun (extreme heat), Jul–Sep (monsoon, slippery paths)
- Airports
- AGR · DEL
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Govardhan112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Govardhan, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.India-wide
- SIM or eSIMJio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.India-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.India-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.India-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/D/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.India-wide
- SafetySafe for pilgrims and tourists during daylight.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages.India-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police · 112 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysThe Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays; many museums close on Mondays; banks close on the second and fourth Saturdays…India-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportAGR Agra Airport (About 90 km (56 mi); taxi or bus to Mathura, then local bus or auto to Govardhan).AGR Agra Airport (About 56 mi (90 km); taxi or bus to Mathura, then local bus or auto to Govardhan).
- Getting aroundWalking for the parikrama (21 km (13 mi), 4–6 hours).Walking for the parikrama (13 mi (21 km), 4–6 hours).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealChai at a stall₹10–20 (≈ under US$1)
- Budget bedDharamshala or pilgrim lodge bed, a night, per person₹300 (≈ US$4)
- Mid-range bedBasic double room, a night, per room₹1,500 (≈ US$18)
- High-end bedBasic double room, a night, per room₹3,000 (≈ US$35)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹800 (≈ US$10) · Mid ₹2,000 (≈ US$25) · High ₹4,000 (≈ US$50)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- AGR Agra Airport (About 90 km (56 mi); taxi or bus to Mathura, then local bus or auto to Govardhan) · DEL Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi (About 170 km (106 mi); train from Delhi to Mathura Junction, then bus or auto)AGR Agra Airport (About 56 mi (90 km); taxi or bus to Mathura, then local bus or auto to Govardhan) · DEL Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi (About 106 mi (170 km); train from Delhi to Mathura Junction, then bus or auto)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Feb
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Mar
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
May
Avoid
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
Jun
Avoid
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
Jul
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Oct
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Nov
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Dec
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Best: Oct–Mar. Avoid: Apr–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest May (42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)), coolest Jan (7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C) low), wettest Aug (11 rain days), driest Nov (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Govardhan: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
1 rd
Feb
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
1 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
1 rd
Apr
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
1 rd
May
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
2 rd
Jun
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
5 rd
Jul
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
10 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11 rd
Sep
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
6 rd
Oct
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
1 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
0 rd
Dec
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
1 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walking for the parikrama (21 km, 4–6 hours). Auto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws for short hops within the town. Buses and shared tempos connect Govardhan to Mathura and Vrindavan.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h
Bus or shared tempo, about 45 min
Krishna Janmabhoomi temple and the ghats on the Yamuna.
Door to door: About 1.5 h
Bus or shared tempo via Mathura, about 1 h
Banke Bihari Temple, ISKCON temple and the ashrams.
Door to door: About 1.5 h
Bus or taxi, about 1 h
Radha Rani Temple in Barsana; combine both in a half-day.
Door to door: About 2–3 h
Train from Mathura Junction (about 1 h) or taxi (about 2 h)
Taj Mahal and Agra Fort; best as a day trip from Mathura.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Near the bus stand
Basic guesthouses and dharamshalas; walking distance to the parikrama start point.
Along the parikrama route
A few pilgrim lodges; quieter but limited eating options.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₹800–1,500 (≈ US$10–18) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₹1,500–3,000 (≈ US$18–35) excl. bed
- High
- ₹3,000 (≈ US$35)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Basic double room1 × 1 night × ₹800 | ₹800 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ₹800 | ₹1,600 |
| Shared tempo Mathura–Govardhan, one way2 × ₹50 · check | ₹100 |
| Auto-rickshaw from bus stand to parikrama start1 × ₹100 | ₹100 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₹260 |
| Trip total≈ ₹1,430 per person per day, bed included | ₹2,860≈ US$35 |
2026 estimate in rupees; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Chai at a stall | ₹10–20 (≈ under US$1) |
| Simple thali meal | ₹100–200 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Bottle of water (1 L) | ₹20 (≈ under US$1) |
| Shared tempo Mathura–Govardhan | ₹50 (≈ under US$1) (check) |
| Auto-rickshaw within town | ₹50–100 (≈ US$1–2) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The parikrama is on a road shared with vehicles; start early (before 7:00) to avoid heat and traffic.The parikrama is on a road shared with vehicles; start early (before 7:00 AM) to avoid heat and traffic.
- Monkeys can be aggressive near temples and food stalls; keep bags closed.
- Shoes are not allowed on the parikrama path in some sections; check locally.
- Carry water and snacks; shops are sparse along parts of the route.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Fire and ambulance
- 112
Pocket card
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Govardhanगोवर्धन
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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गोवर्धन बस स्टैंड, कृपयाTo Govardhan bus stand, please
Emergency
- Police / Ambulance / Fire112
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Shared tempo Mathura → Govardhan: about ₹50 (≈ under US$1), about 45 min (check)
- Auto-rickshaw bus stand → parikrama start: ₹50–100 (≈ US$1–2)
Say or show
- नमस्ते — Hello / Namaste (namaste)
- धन्यवाद — Thank you (dhanyavād)
- कितना? — How much? (kitnā?)
- परिक्रमा मार्ग कहाँ है? — Where is the parikrama path? (parikramā mārg kahān hai?)
- पानी — Water (pānī)
Hindi is widely understood; English less so outside temples and lodges.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Govardhan. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Mar · avoid Apr–Jun (extreme heat), Jul–Sep (monsoon, slippery paths) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Parikrama route with water refill points and toilet locations.
- Verified opening hours for Kusum Sarovar and the main temples.
- Eat pages with last-order times for the few sit-down restaurants.
Sources
Ask about Govardhan
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