Mathura Parikrama: The Route, Sacred Stops, Timings and How to Do It

The Mathura Parikrama is the sacred circumambulation of the holy city of Mathura, the birthplace of Krishna, a walk of about 10 km that circles the old city along the Yamuna, passing its ancient ghats, its guardian Shiva temples, its Devi shrines, and the very birthplace of the Lord. Walking mainly on Ekadashi, it is one of the great acts of devotion in Braj. Here, from one born in the Mathura district, is the complete Mathura Parikrama guide: the full route with all its sacred stops, the major temples and ghats, the best time, and how to do it. Plan your visit with our Mathura Vrindavan tour packages.

Key takeaways

• The Mathura Parikrama is a walk of about 10 km (6.2 miles) around the holy city.

• It takes around 3 hours to complete on foot.

• It is done mainly on Ekadashi, the most meritorious day.

• It traditionally begins and ends at Kansa Fort (Kans Qila).

• It passes the Yamuna ghats, the guardian Shivas, the Devi shrines, Potara Kund and the Krishna Janmabhoomi.

• Entry is free; it is walked barefoot and chanting, ideally before dawn.

I am Gurudutt, born in Gokul in the Mathura district, guiding pilgrims through Braj since 2018, more than 50,000 of them, and I have walked the Mathura Parikrama with pilgrims many times. This guide gives you the complete route in order, the story of the major stops, exactly how to do the parikrama, when to come, and how to prepare. Here is the complete guide to the Mathura Parikrama.

The major sacred stops on the Mathura Parikrama

The parikrama passes many sacred sites; here are the major stops, with their significance and darshan. The full route in order follows below.

The major sacred stops on the Mathura Parikrama. Timings shift by season and festival; confirm on the day.

The full Mathura Parikrama route, in order

Here is the complete route of the Mathura Parikrama, stop by stop, in the clockwise order in which it is traditionally walked, beginning and ending at Kansa Fort.

1. Kansa Fort (Kans Qila), the start

2. Swami Ghat

3. Vishram Ghat

4. Pippaleshwar Mahadev

5. Dauji Ghat

6. Vatuk Bhairav Ji

7. Bengali Ghat

8. Dhruva Ghat

9. Rishi Ghat

10. Rangeshwar Mahadev Temple

11. Old Bus Stand

12. The Government Museum (Archaeology)

13. K.R. Degree College

14. Kankali Devi Temple, on Kankali Mound

15. Jagannath Balabhadra Kund

16. Krishna Balram Temple

17. Bhuteshwar Mahadev Temple

18. Gandeshwar Kund

19. Potara Kund

20. Krishna Janmabhoomi

21. Mahavidya Devi Temple

22. Saraswati Devi Temple and Kund

23. Ramlila Ground

24. Chamunda Devi Temple

25. Gayatri Tapobhoomi

26. Gokarn Mahadev Temple

27. Neelkanth Mahadev Temple

28. Vamandev Ghat

29. Chakratirtha and Chakreshwar Mahadev Temple

30. Ambarish Ghat

31. Krishna Ganga Ghat

32. Radha Madan Gopal Ji Temple

33. Kansa Ghat

34. Chintahar Mahadev Temple

35. Kanseshwar Mahadev Temple

36. Return to Kansa Fort, and conclude the parikrama

How to do the Mathura Parikrama: step by step

The parikrama is simple to do, and its power lies in walking it with devotion. Here is how, step by step.

Step 1: Begin at Kansa Fort. Arrive at Kansa Fort (Kans Qila) on the Yamuna, take a sacred bath or perform achamana (purification), and begin with a prayer to Krishna, stating your sankalp, your intention to complete the parikrama.

Step 2: Walk clockwise. Set out clockwise along the route, following the ghats and lanes of the old city. Walk at a steady, comfortable pace.

Step 3: Chant as you walk. Chant the Hare Krishna mahamantra or 'Radhe Radhe' with each step; the purpose is meditation and devotion, not exercise, so there is no rush.

Step 4: Pause at each sacred site. At each ghat, kund and temple, pause for a moment of darshan and to recall its story. You need not enter every one; a reverent acknowledgment is enough.

Step 5: Complete the circuit. The parikrama is complete when you return to Kansa Fort. Walk the full circle without shortcuts to receive the full benefit; rest if you must, but keep the clockwise direction.

Step 6: Offer completion prayers. Back at Kansa Fort, offer final prayers. If you finish near the evening, the Yamuna aarti at Vishram Ghat is a beautiful way to complete the walk. We can arrange your pooja and seva along the route.

The best time for the Mathura Parikrama

The parikrama can be walked any day, but some times are especially sacred or comfortable. Here is the guide.

The best time for the Mathura Parikrama. Ekadashi and Kartik are the most sacred; October to March the most comfortable.

For the seasons in full, see our best time to visit Mathura Vrindavan guide and the Mathura Vrindavan festivals calendar.

Practical tips for the Mathura Parikrama

• Start before sunrise for the coolest, most powerful walk, especially on Ekadashi.

• Walk barefoot if you can, but comfortable sandals are wise for first-timers, as the old lanes are uneven.

• Carry water, at least a litre, and more in summer, and travel light.

• Chant as you walk, on a mala or silently, to make the parikrama a meditation.

• Confirm the temple timings, which shift by season; some shrines open only at set hours.

• Go with a local guide who knows every ghat, kund and shrine, so you miss none of the story.

For getting to the start and around the city, see our Mathura Vrindavan taxi service, and for a stay near the old city, our Mathura Vrindavan hotels desk can help. Nearby stand the grand Dwarkadhish temple and the marble Gita Mandir, worth adding to your day.

The honest bit

Honest words from one born in the Mathura district. The Mathura Parikrama is a beautiful, deeply sacred walk, but be realistic: it is about 10 km through the old city and along the ghats, roughly three hours on foot, on uneven ground, so it takes reasonable fitness, and in summer only the pre-dawn hours are bearable. Many of the stops are humble ghats, kunds and small shrines, not grand monuments, and some open only at set times, so confirm the hours and do not expect every one to be a great temple. The lanes are narrow and busy. Walk it slowly, barefoot if you can, chanting, as a meditation, and keep to the full clockwise circle. Done this way, before dawn on an Ekadashi, the Mathura Parikrama is one of the most moving devotions in all of Braj.

Why Experience My India is the right choice

I was born in Gokul in the Mathura district, and I have walked the Mathura Parikrama with pilgrims many times. Guiding since 2018, more than 50,000 pilgrims, 4.5 stars on Google, WhatsApp first, 8 AM to 9 PM daily. We meet you at Kansa Fort before dawn, walk the route with you, tell the sacred story at every ghat and shrine, time your temple darshans, arrange your Yamuna bath and any seva, and have a car follow by road so you never carry your things, with no touts. One clear fare, and never a charge for free darshan.

Tip from Gurudutt: walk the Mathura Parikrama before dawn on an Ekadashi, starting at Kansa Fort as the city sleeps. To circle the whole birthplace of Krishna along the Yamuna, past the guardian Shivas who watch over the city and the very spot where the Lord was born, chanting with the pilgrims as the sun rises over the river, and to return at last to the fort of the tyrant Krishna came to slay, is to walk through the entire story of his birth. That dawn circle is the true Mathura Parikrama.

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Plan your Mathura Parikrama

Tell me your dates, and I will arrange your Mathura Parikrama, a guide to walk the route with you, the sacred stories at every stop, the darshan timed well, a car following by road, and any seva, for one clear price. Our Mathura Vrindavan same-day tour by car can include the parikrama and the city's temples. WhatsApp +91 7302265809, any day 8 AM to 9 PM. Packages from ₹1,999 per person, 4.5 stars on Google. Born in Gokul, Mathura.