Must-Attend Aartis in Mathura and Vrindavan: The Timings and Which to See

Of all the joys of Mathura and Vrindavan, the aartis are the most moving, when the lamps are raised, the bells and conches sound, and the whole temple or ghat sings as one. Some are so special they should not be missed: the elephant that performs the aarti at Raman Reti, the great Yamuna aartis at the ghats at dusk, the pre-dawn Mangala aarti at ISKCON, and the beloved aartis of Banke Bihari and the Krishna Janmabhoomi. Here, from one born in Braj, is the guide to the must-attend aartis of Mathura and Vrindavan, with their timings. Plan your visit with our Mathura Vrindavan tour packages.

Key takeaways

• Do not miss the unique elephant aarti at Raman Reti, Gokul, in the evening.

• The evening Yamuna aartis at Kesi Ghat, Vishram Ghat and Brahmand Ghat run from about 6:30 to 7 PM.

• Banke Bihari's aartis differ by season; the Mangala aarti is only on Janmashtami.

• The Krishna Janmabhoomi holds Mangla, Rajbhog, Sandhya and Sayan aartis daily.

• ISKCON's pre-dawn Mangala aarti (4:30 AM) and evening Gaura aarti (7 PM) are famous for kirtan.

• All aarti timings shift with the season, so confirm on the day and arrive early.

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 stood at these aartis all my life. The aarti is the beating heart of Braj devotion, and knowing which to attend, and when, makes all the difference. This guide gives you the must-attend aartis and their timings, temple by temple. Here are the aartis of Mathura and Vrindavan not to miss.

The must-attend aartis at a glance

Here are the aartis to seek out, with their approximate timings. The detailed schedules for the big temples follow below.

The must-attend aartis of Mathura and Vrindavan at a glance. Timings shift seasonally; confirm on the day.

The elephant aarti at Raman Reti, Gokul

The most unusual and delightful aarti in all of Braj is at Raman Reti in Gokul, the soft sands where the infant Krishna played, for here a temple elephant takes part in the evening aarti, lifting the lamp with its trunk and ringing the bell, to the wonder and joy of all who gather. The evening aarti runs from about 6:00 to 7:00 PM. To see a great elephant perform the aarti to Krishna, in the very dham of his infancy, is a sight that stays with you forever, and a special treat for children and pilgrims alike.

The Yamuna aartis at the ghats

Each evening at dusk, the sacred Yamuna is worshipped with a grand aarti at the ghats of Braj, when priests raise great tiered lamps of fire over the river, bells and conches sound, and the gathered devotees sing, while little leaf-boats of flowers and flame are set adrift on the water. The loveliest are at Kesi Ghat in Vrindavan, at Vishram Ghat in Mathura, and at the wonderful Brahmand Ghat near Gokul, each around 6:30 to 7:00 PM. To sit on the old stone steps as the Yamuna aarti rises is one of the most moving experiences in Braj.

Banke Bihari temple aarti timings

The Banke Bihari temple, the most beloved in Vrindavan, keeps its own beautiful rhythm, and its timings change between summer and winter. Note that, uniquely, there is no daily Mangala aarti here; it is held only once a year, on Janmashtami. Here are the seasonal timings.

Banke Bihari temple aarti timings by season. There is no daily Mangala aarti; it is held only on Janmashtami.

Krishna Janmabhoomi aarti timings

The Krishna Janmabhoomi in Mathura, the birthplace of the Lord, keeps a full round of daily aartis and rituals, adjusted a little for the season. Here are the timings.

Krishna Janmabhoomi daily aarti and ritual timings. Confirm seasonal adjustments on the day.

ISKCON Vrindavan aarti timings

The ISKCON Krishna-Balaram temple is famous for its aartis and continuous kirtan, above all the pre-dawn Mangala aarti and the evening Gaura aarti, both alive with singing and dancing. Here is the typical daily schedule.

ISKCON Vrindavan typical daily aarti schedule. Timings shift seasonally; confirm on the day.

Planning your aarti day

A little planning lets you catch the best aartis without rushing. For the early risers, the ISKCON Mangala aarti at 4:30 AM is a powerful start; the mornings suit the temple Shringar and darshan aartis; and the evenings, above all, are for the Yamuna aartis at the ghats and the elephant aarti at Raman Reti, all around 6:30 to 7 PM. Because these evening aartis run at similar times in different places, you must choose one for a given evening, so a local guide helps you plan the perfect aarti circuit. See our best time to visit Mathura Vrindavan guide, and we can arrange your pooja and seva at the temples.

Tips for attending the aartis

• Arrive 20 to 30 minutes early to find a good place, especially at the ghats and Banke Bihari.

• Confirm the day's timings, as they shift between summer and winter and on festivals.

• Choose one evening aarti per evening, as the Yamuna aartis run at similar times.

• For the ISKCON Mangala aarti, come before dawn, about 4:30 AM, for the fullest experience.

• Keep phones and belongings secure in the crowds, and beware the monkeys near the ghats.

• Do not miss the elephant aarti at Raman Reti; it is a joy for all, especially children.

The honest bit

Honest words from one born in Braj. The aartis are the most beautiful part of a Braj visit, but a few honest points. All these timings shift with the season, festivals and the temple's own decisions, so treat them as a firm guide and confirm on the day; the seasonal summer and winter changes are real, especially at Banke Bihari and the Janmabhoomi. The evening aartis are crowded, so arrive early and keep your things safe. Remember that Banke Bihari has no daily Mangala aarti, only on Janmashtami, so do not come at dawn expecting one. And the aartis are worship, not a show, so join with devotion and respect. Planned well, with the timings understood, the aartis of Braj are unforgettable.

Why Experience My India is the right choice

I was born in Gokul in the Mathura district, and I take pilgrims to the finest aartis of Braj every week. Guiding since 2018, more than 50,000 pilgrims, 4.5 stars on Google, WhatsApp first, 8 AM to 9 PM daily. We plan your day around the aarti timings, bring you to each at the right hour, walk you into the temples and ghats through the old lanes, arrange your seva and a boat at the ghats, and tell you the meaning of each aarti, with no touts. One clear fare, and never a charge for free darshan.

Tip from Gurudutt: shape one perfect day around the aartis. Rise before dawn for the ISKCON Mangala aarti and its kirtan, take the morning Shringar darshans, rest through the midday closure, and give the golden evening to a Yamuna aarti at the ghats, or, best of all for a first visit, to the elephant aarti at Raman Reti, where a great elephant lifts the lamp to Krishna in the sands of his infancy. From dawn kirtan to an elephant's evening aarti, that is a day of Braj devotion you will never forget.

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Plan your aarti visit to Braj

Tell me your dates, and I will plan your days around the must-attend artis of Braj, with a car, a guide born on this soil, a boat at the ghats and your seva arranged, for one clear price. Our Mathura Vrindavan tour packages from Delhi and the NCR cover the heart of Braj. 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.