View source for Place:Vrindavan

{{Short description|City in Uttar Pradesh, India}}
{{EngvarB|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                     = Vrindavan
| other_name               = Vrindaban, Brindaban
| nicknames                = City of Widows
| settlement_type          = City
| image_skyline            = {{Photomontage
| photo1a          = Iskon Temple, Vrindawan.jpg 
| photo1b = Madanmohan Mandir Vrindavan.JPG
| photo2a = Radha Damodar Temple.JPG
| photo2b = Radhavallabhlalj.jpg
| photo3a          = Lovetemple.jpg
| spacing          = 2
| position         = center
| color_border     = white
| color            =  black
| size             = 266
| foot_montage     = '''Clockwise from top:''' 
Krishna Balaram Mandir, Radha Madanmohan Temple, Radha Damodar Temple, Radha Vallabh Temple, Prem Mandir (Love temple)}}
| pushpin_map              = India Uttar Pradesh#India
| pushpin_map_alt          = 
| pushpin_map_caption      = Location in Uttar Pradesh, India
| pushpin_label_position   = right
| coordinates              = {{coord|27.58|N|77.7|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type         = [[Earth:List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name         = {{IND}}
| subdivision_type1        = State
| subdivision_type2        = District
| subdivision_name1        = Uttar Pradesh
| subdivision_name2        = Mathura
| established_title        = <!-- Established -->
| established_date         = 
| founder                  = 
| named_for                = 
| government_type          = Municipal Corporation
| governing_body           = Mathura-Vrindavan Municipal Corporation
| leader_title             = [[Social:Mayor|Mayor]]
| leader_name              = Vinod Agarwal<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.etnownews.com/news/live-mathura-vrindavan-mayor-election-result-2023-counting-news-online-latest-updates-vinod-agarwal-bjp-raja-mohtasim-ahmed-bsp-liveblog-100204223|title=BJP's mayoral candidate from Mathura Vinod Agarwal wins|date=13 May 2023|work=ET Now News|access-date=22 May 2023}}</ref>
| leader_party             = [[Social:Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]]
| unit_pref                = Metric
| area_footnotes           = 
| area_total_km2           = 
| area_rank                = 
| elevation_footnotes      = 
| elevation_m              = 170
| population_total         = 63,005
| population_as_of         = 2011
| population_footnotes     = <ref name="Census2011Gov"/>
| population_density_km2   = auto
| population_rank          = 
| population_demonym       = Vrindavan wasi
| demographics_type1       = Languages
| demographics1_title1     = Official
| timezone1                = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1              = +05:30
| postal_code_type         = PIN
| postal_code              = 281121
| area_code                = 0565
| area_code_type           = Telephone code
| registration_plate       = UP-85
| website                  = 
| footnotes                = 
| demographics1_info1      = [[Social:Hindi|Hindi]]
| demographics1_title3     = Native
| demographics1_info3      = Braj Bhasha dialect
}}
'''Vrindavan''' ({{audio|Vrindavan.ogg|pronunciation}}; {{IAST3|Vṛndāvana}}), also spelt '''Vrindaban''' and '''Brindaban''',<ref name=":0" /> is a historical city in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh, {{wipe|India}}. It is located in the Braj Bhoomi region and holds religious importance in [[Religion:Hinduism|Hinduism]] as [[Religion:Krishna|Krishna]] spent most of his childhood days in this city.<ref name="Hawley">{{cite book |surname=Hawley |given=John Stratton |title=Krishna's Playground: Vrindavan in the 21st Century |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2020 |isbn=978-0190123987 |place=Oxford; New York}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=UP gets first officially designated 'teerth sthals' in Vrindavan and Barsana|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/up-gets-first-officially-designated-teerth-sthals-in-vrindavan-and-barsana/articleshow/61277272.cms|date=27 October 2017|publisher=Times of India}}</ref><ref name=route/><ref>{{cite book|last=Keene|first=Henry George|title=A Handbook for Visitors to Agra and Its Neighbourhood|chapter-url=https://archive.org/stream/ahandbookforvis00keengoog#page/n113/mode/1up|chapter=Bindrabun|date=1899|publisher=Thacker, Spink & Co.|pages=98–106}}</ref> Vrindavan has about 5,500 temples dedicated to the worship of [[Religion:Krishna|Krishna]] and his divine consort [[Religion:Radha|Radha]].<ref name="Madan">{{cite book |last=Gopal |first=Madan |url=https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada |title=India through the ages |publisher=Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India |year=1990 |editor=K.S. Gautam |page=[https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada/page/176 176]}}</ref>

It is one of the most [[Religion:Sacred|sacred]] places for [[Religion:Vaishnavism|Vaishnavism]] tradition.<ref name="Hawley" /><ref name="Madan" /> Vrindavan is a significant part of the "Krishna pilgrimage circuit" which also includes [[Place:Mathura|Mathura]], [[Place:Barsana|Barsana]], Gokul, Govardhan, [[Place:Kurukshetra|Kurukshetra]], Dwarka and [[Place:Puri|Puri]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Development of Ramayana and Krishna Circuits |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1513307 |website=pib.gov.in |access-date=15 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Bhattacharya |first=G. |title=Oxford Art Online |chapter-url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/gao/9781884446054.article.t090249 |chapter=Vrindavan |date=2003 |publisher=Oxford University Press |series=Oxford Art Online|doi=10.1093/gao/9781884446054.article.t090249 |isbn=9781884446054 }}</ref>

== Etymology ==
The ancient [[Social:Sanskrit|Sanskrit]] name of the city, {{lang|sa|वृन्दावन}} ({{IAST|Vṛndāvana}}), comes from its groves of ''vṛndā'' ([[Biology:Ocimum tenuiflorum|holy basil]]) and ''vana'' ([[Biology:Grove (nature)|grove]], forest).<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V09_023.gif |title=Brindaban|publisher=The Imperial Gazetteer of India|date=1909}}</ref>

== Geography ==
Vrindavan is a city in India, located in the state of Uttar Pradesh. It is situated on the west bank of the Yamuna River, about 15 kilometers north of Mathura.<ref>{{cite web |last1=explorer |first1=the india |title=Best Places To Visit In Vrindavan (2023): Mathura - TheIndiaExplorer |url=https://theindiaexplorer.com/2023/06/places-to-visit-in-vrindavan/ |website=theindiaexplorer.com |publisher=nishi |access-date=7 June 2023 |language=English |date=7 June 2023}}</ref>{{Coord|27.58|N|77.7|E|}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/36/Vrindavan.html|title=Maps, Weather, and Airports for Vrindavan, India|website=www.fallingrain.com|access-date=6 December 2019}}</ref> It has an average elevation of 170&nbsp;metres (557&nbsp;feet).{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}

Yamuna river flows through the city. It is located 125&nbsp;km away from [[Place:Delhi|Delhi]] and 15&nbsp;km away from [[Place:Mathura|Mathura]] City.

=== Climate ===
{{Weather box
|location = Mathura (1981–2010, extremes 1974–1995)
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|width = auto
| Jan record high C = 29.6
| Feb record high C = 34.1
| Mar record high C = 40.1
| Apr record high C = 45.1
| May record high C = 47.1
| Jun record high C = 47.6
| Jul record high C = 44.6
| Aug record high C = 42.7
| Sep record high C = 40.6
| Oct record high C = 42.1
| Nov record high C = 35.1
| Dec record high C = 30.1
|year record high C = 47.6
| Jan high C = 21.3
| Feb high C = 24.4
| Mar high C = 30.4
| Apr high C = 36.6
| May high C = 41.2
| Jun high C = 41.2
| Jul high C = 36.1
| Aug high C = 34.6
| Sep high C = 34.2
| Oct high C = 33.3
| Nov high C = 29.1
| Dec high C = 23.3
|year high C = 32.1
| Jan low C = 6.4
| Feb low C = 8.3
| Mar low C = 13.2
| Apr low C = 17.9
| May low C = 23.9
| Jun low C = 25.9
| Jul low C = 25.5
| Aug low C = 25.0
| Sep low C = 23.5
| Oct low C = 18.3
| Nov low C = 11.6
| Dec low C = 7.7
|year low C = 17.3
| Jan record low C = 1.0
| Feb record low C = 0.5
| Mar record low C = 5.0
| Apr record low C = 7.0
| May record low C = 8.5
| Jun record low C = 17.0
| Jul record low C = 11.5
| Aug record low C = 17.5
| Sep record low C = 17.6
| Oct record low C = 11.5
| Nov record low C = 4.0
| Dec record low C = 2.0
|year record low C = 0.5
| rain colour = green
| Jan rain mm = 10.4
| Feb rain mm = 13.6
| Mar rain mm = 6.8
| Apr rain mm = 10.1
| May rain mm = 17.8
| Jun rain mm = 35.5
| Jul rain mm = 164.7
| Aug rain mm = 205.2
| Sep rain mm = 105.0
| Oct rain mm = 18.0
| Nov rain mm = 3.9
| Dec rain mm = 9.0
|year rain mm = 600.1
| Jan rain days = 0.9
| Feb rain days = 1.3
| Mar rain days = 1.0
| Apr rain days = 0.9
| May rain days = 1.5
| Jun rain days = 3.0
| Jul rain days = 9.0
| Aug rain days = 9.1
| Sep rain days = 4.9
| Oct rain days = 0.9
| Nov rain days = 0.3
| Dec rain days = 1.1
|year rain days = 33.9
|time day = 17:30 [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| Jan humidity = 65
| Feb humidity = 59
| Mar humidity = 53
| Apr humidity = 48
| May humidity = 39
| Jun humidity = 43
| Jul humidity = 67
| Aug humidity = 72
| Sep humidity = 71
| Oct humidity = 63
| Nov humidity = 56
| Dec humidity = 60
|year humidity = 58
|source 1 = India Meteorological Department<ref name=IMDnormals>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205040301/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf
| archive-date = 5 February 2020
| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf
| title = Station: Mathura Climatological Table 1981–2010
| work = Climatological Normals 1981–2010
| publisher = India Meteorological Department
| date = January 2015
| pages = 481–482
| access-date = 22 September 2020}}</ref><ref name=IMDextremes>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205042509/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf
| archive-date = 5 February 2020
| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf
| title = Extremes of Temperature & Rainfall for Indian Stations (Up to 2012)
| publisher = India Meteorological Department
| date = December 2016
| page = M220
| access-date = 22 September 2020}}</ref>
}}

== Demographics ==
As of 2011 Indian Census, Vrindavan had a total population of 63,005, of which 34,769 were males and 28,236 were females. Population within the age group of 0 to 6 years was 7,818. The total number of literates in Vrindavan was 42,917, which constituted 68.11% of the population with male literacy of 73.7% and female literacy of 61.2%. The effective literacy rate of 7+ population of Vrindavan was 77.8%, of which male literacy rate was 83.7% and female literacy rate was 70.3%. The sex ratio is 812 females per 1000 males. The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes population was 6,294 and 18, respectively. Vrindavan had 11,637 households in 2011.<ref name="Census2011Gov">{{cite web |title=Census of India: Vrindavan |url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/pca/SearchDetails.aspx?Id=143385 |website=www.censusindia.gov.in |access-date=9 October 2019}}</ref><ref name="nayaka1974">{{cite book| title=A students' history of education in India (1800–1973) | authors=Jayant Pandurang Nayaka, Syed Nurullah | year=1974 |edition=6 | publisher=Macmillan | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kNQLHQAACAAJ}}</ref>

Vrindavan lies in the cultural region of Braj.<ref name="LuciaMichelutti1">{{cite web | url=http://etheses.lse.ac.uk/2106/1/U613338.pdf | title=Sons of Krishna: the politics of Yadav community formation in a North Indian town | publisher=London School of Economics and Political Science University of London | work=PhD Thesis Social Anthropology | date=2002 | access-date=20 May 2015 | author=Lucia Michelutti | pages=49}}</ref>

== Religious heritage ==
{{Main|Religion:Radha|Religion:Krishna|Religion:Radha Religion:Krishna}}
[[File:Aindra Dasa Kartik 2009.JPG|thumb|ISKCON devotee singing bhajan in Vrindavan]]
Vrindavan is considered to be a sacred place for Vaisnavism tradition of [[Religion:Hinduism|Hinduism]]. It is believed that Krishna spent part of his childhood in this city.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sengupta |first1=Arjun |title=Holi: Bringing fleeting colour to the lives of Vrindavan's widows |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-culture/widows-vrindavan-holi-8484907/ |access-date=4 June 2023 |work=The Indian Express |date=9 March 2023 |language=en}}</ref> The other prominent areas surrounding Vrindavan are Govardhana, Gokul, Nandgaon, [[Place:Barsana|Barsana]], [[Place:Mathura|Mathura]] and Bhandirvan. Along with Vrindavan, all these places are considered to be the center of [[Religion:Radha|Radha]] and [[Religion:Krishna|Krishna]] worship. Millions of devotees of [[Religion:Radha Krishna|Radha Krishna]] visit Vrindavan and its nearby areas every year to participate in number of festivals.<ref name = kk2007>{{cite book
|author=Klaus Klostermaier|year=2007|title=A Survey of Hinduism|publisher=State University of New York Press; 3 edition

== History ==
[[File:Swiatyniamadanmohan.jpg|thumb|The 17th century Shri Radha Madan Mohan Temple was built by Raja Gopal Singhji of Karauli dynasty]]
Vrindavan has an ancient past, associated with Hindu culture and history, and was established in the 16th and 17th centuries as a result of an explicit treaty between Muslims and Hindu Emperors,<ref>{{cite news |title=Watch {{!}} John Stratton Hawley on His Latest Book on 'Krishna's Playground' |url=https://thewire.in/urban/watch-john-stratton-hawley-book |access-date=3 March 2020 |work=The Wire |date=25 January 2020}}</ref> and is an important Hindu pilgrimage site since long.

Of the contemporary times, Vallabhacharya, aged eleven visited Vrindavan. Later on, he performed three pilgrimages of {{wipe|India}}, barefoot giving discourses on [[Religion:Bhagavad Gita|Bhagavad Gita]] at 84 places. These 84 places are known as [[Religion:Pushtimarg Baithak|Pushtimarg Baithak]] and since then are the places of pilgrimage. Yet, he stayed in Vrindavan for four months each year. Vrindavan thus heavily influenced his formation of Pushtimarg.
[[File:Bankebihari temple main gate Vrindavan.JPG|alt=Banke Bihari Temple, Vrindavan|thumb|Banke Bihari Temple, Vrindavan]]
The essence of Vrindavan was lost over time until the 16th century, when it was rediscovered by [[Biography:Chaitanya Mahaprabhu|Chaitanya Mahaprabhu]]. In the year 1515, [[Biography:Chaitanya Mahaprabhu|Chaitanya Mahaprabhu]] visited Vrindavan, with the purpose of locating the lost holy places associated with Krishna's life.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mvtindia.com/history/discovery.htm|title=Discovery of Vrindavan by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu|access-date=6 December 2019|archive-date=23 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110123021950/http://www.mvtindia.com/history/discovery.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In the last 250 years, the extensive forests of Vrindavan have been subjected to urbanization, first by local Rajas and in recent decades by apartment developers. The forest cover has been whittled away to only a few remaining spots, and the local wildlife, including peacocks, [[Biology:Cattle|cows]], [[Biology:Monkey|monkey]]s and a variety of bird species has been virtually eliminated.

== Temples ==
[[File:Rangnathji Temple Vrindavan.jpg|thumb|Rangnathji Temple, Vrindavan]]
Vrindavan, the land of [[Religion:Radha Krishna|Radha Krishna]] has about 5500 temples dedicated to them to showcase their divine pastimes.<ref>{{cite book |author=Rājaśekhara Dāsa |year=2000 |title=The Color Guide to Vṛndāvana: India's Most Holy City of Over 5,000 Temples |publisher=Vedanta Vision Publication |url={{Google books|Q1cvAAAAYAAJ|page=|keywords=|text=|plainurl=yes}}}}</ref><ref>[http://news.vrindavantoday.org/2016/06/seven-main-temples-of-vrindavan Seven main temples of Vrindavan], Vrindavantoday.org</ref> Some of the important pilgrimage sites are<ref>{{Cite book |last=Anand |first=D. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EsvSwdUgQYcC&q=radha+purana |title=Krishna: The Living God of Braj |date=1992 |publisher=Abhinav Publications |isbn=978-81-7017-280-2 |pages=42–86 |language=en |chapter=Temples and Places}}</ref> -
*Shri Radha Madan Mohan Temple, located near the Kalidah Ghat was built by Kapur Ram Das of Multan. One of the oldest temples in Vrindavan, it is closely associated with [[Biography:Chaitanya Mahaprabhu|Chaitanya Mahaprabhu]]. The original deity of Madan Gopal was shifted from the shrine to Karauli in Rajasthan for safekeeping during Aurangzeb's rule. Today, a replica of the original (deity) is worshipped at the temple
*Sri Radha Raman Mandir, constructed at the request of [[Religion:Gopala Bhatta Goswami|Gopala Bhatta Goswami]] and houses a saligram deity of Krishna as [[Religion:Radha Ramana|Radha Ramana]], alongside [[Religion:Radha|Radha]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.salagram.net/sstp-RadhaRamanVrindavan.html|title=Sri Radha Raman in Vrindavan|website=www.salagram.net|access-date=6 December 2019}}</ref>
*Banke Bihari Temple, built in 1862<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bihariji.org/may08/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=26|title=Banke-Bihari Temple website|access-date=6 December 2019|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304032027/https://www.bihariji.org/may08/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=26|url-status=dead}}</ref> after the image of Banke-Bihari was discovered in Nidhivan by Swami Haridas.
*Radha Vallabh Temple is one of the ancient temple of Vrindavan. It was constructed in 1585 AD and was the first temple made up of red sandstones.<ref>{{Cite book|chapter-url=https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/9781400859894.176/html|chapter=Chapter 7. Cross-Cultural Dynamics of Mystical Emotions in Vrindaban|date=14 July 2014|publisher=Princeton University Press|isbn=978-1-4008-5989-4|language=en|doi=10.1515/9781400859894.176|title=The Hare Krishnas in India|pages=176–198}}</ref>
*Radha Damodar Temple is a [[Religion:Gaudiya Vaishnavism|Gaudiya Vaishnavism]] temple, which is dedicated to Radha Krishna and was constructed in 1542 CE.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Radha Damodar Mandir, Vrindavan - Info, Timings, Photos, History|url=https://www.templepurohit.com/hindu-temple/radha-damodar-mandir-mandir-vrindavan/|access-date=2 September 2021|website=TemplePurohit - Your Spiritual Destination {{!}} Bhakti, Shraddha Aur Ashirwad|date=19 July 2016 |language=en-US}}</ref>
*Sri Krishna-Balarama Temple was built by the [[Organization:International Society for Krishna Consciousness|International Society for Krishna Consciousness]] (ISKCON) in Raman-Reti.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ISKCON Vrindavan - Home |url=http://www.iskconvrindavan.com}}</ref> The principal deities of this temple are Krishna and Balaram, with Radha–[[Religion:Krishna|Shyamasundar]] and [[Religion:Gauranga|Gaura]]-Nitai alongside. Adjoining the temple is the samadhi of [[Unsolved:A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada|A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada]], the founder of ISKCON, built in pure white marble.
*Prem Mandir is a spiritual complex situated on a 54-acre site on the outskirts of Vrindavan dedicated to divine love. The temple structure was established by spiritual guru Kripalu Maharaj.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 August 2013 |title=Famous Krishna Temples in India |url=https://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/slideshow/famous-krishna-temples-india_297.html |access-date=6 December 2019 |website=Zee News}}</ref> The main structure built in marble and figures of Krishna cover the main temple.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kumar |first=Mayank |date=13 February 2012 |title=Kripaluji Maharaj's Prem Mandir will be inaugurated on 17 February |publisher=Aaj Ki Khabar |url=http://www.aajkikhabar.com/News/Region/Kripaluji-Maharaj-s-Prem-Mandir-will-be-inaugurated-on-17th-February/690284.html |url-status=dead |access-date=29 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330113922/http://www.aajkikhabar.com/News/Region/Kripaluji-Maharaj-s-Prem-Mandir-will-be-inaugurated-on-17th-February/690284.html |archive-date=30 March 2014}}</ref>
*Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir is housed in a modern geodesic structure with a traditional gopuram based on Khajuraho style of architecture. It is being built by one of the ISKCON factions based in Bangalore.<ref>{{Cite web |title=News18.com: CNN-News18 Breaking News India, Latest News Headlines, Live News Updates |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/iskcon-to-build-worlds-tallest-temple-at-mathura-from-today/458198-3-242.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140316105823/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/iskcon-to-build-worlds-tallest-temple-at-mathura-from-today/458198-3-242.html |archive-date=16 March 2014 |access-date=6 December 2019 |website=News18}}</ref> At cost of {{INRConvert|300|c}} it will be the tallest temple in world on completion.

==Transportation==
===Road===
Vrindavan is well connected by roads and is connected to [[Place:Delhi|Delhi]] by National Highway (NH) 44 of the Golden Quadrilateral network. Earlier it was NH 2.<ref name=route>{{cite web |title=NHAI |url=http://www.nhai.org/NH2_Delhi_Kolkata_main.htm |access-date=14 February 2018 |archive-date=4 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161204065036/http://www.nhai.org/NH2_Delhi_Kolkata_main.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

129&nbsp;km from [[Place:New Delhi|New Delhi]]

117&nbsp;km from Gurgaon

54&nbsp;km from [[Place:Agra|Agra]]

9&nbsp;km from [[Place:Mathura|Mathura]]

While in Vrindavan, battery powered [[Engineering:Electric rickshaw|e-rickshaw]] are available for commuting within city-limits.

===Rail===
*BDB/Vrindavan is on the Mathura-Vrindavan MG link.
*VRBD/Vrindavan Road is on the Agra-Delhi chord.

=== Flight ===
Nearest Airports are Agra Airport and New Delhi International Airport.

== City of Widows ==
Vrindavan is also known as the "city of widows"<ref name="cnn">{{cite news |title=India's widows live out sentence of shame, poverty |url=http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9711/16/india.women/ |access-date=25 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061129032657/http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9711/16/india.women/ |archive-date=29 November 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=2 May 2013 |title=The Indian town with 6,000 widows |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-21859622 |access-date=12 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=8 March 2019 |title=The widows of Vrindavan |work=cnbctv18.com |url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/photos/buzz/the-widows-of-vrindavan-2537551-12.htm |access-date=12 January 2021}}</ref> due to the large number of [[Social:Widow|widow]]s who move into the town and surrounding area after losing their husbands. There are an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 widows. The widows come from states of West Bengal, Assam and Odisha.<ref name="catalyst">{{cite web |title=Catalyst Magazine: ''Moksha: the widows of Vrindavan'' |url=http://www.catalystmagazine.org/Default.aspx.LocID-0hgnew0ha.RefLocID-0hg01b001006009.Lang-EN.htm |access-date=25 March 2007 |archive-date=3 April 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070403073306/http://www.catalystmagazine.org/Default.aspx.LocID-0hgnew0ha.RefLocID-0hg01b001006009.Lang-EN.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="cnn2">{{cite news |date=5 July 2007 |title=''Shunned from society, widows flock to city to die'' |work=CNN |url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/07/05/damon.india.widows/index.html |access-date=5 July 2007}}</ref> Many spend time singing bhajan hymns at [[Philosophy:Ashram|bhajanashrams]]. An organization called Guild of Service was formed to assist these deprived women and children.<ref name="cnn" /><ref name="cnn2" /> According to a survey report prepared by the government, several homes run by the government and different NGOs for widows.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sulabh dons mantle |url=http://www.sulabhinternational.org/content/sulabh-dons-mantle-good-samaritan-save-vrindavan-widows |access-date=6 December 2019}}</ref>

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
KesiGhat River.JPG|Keshi Ghat on banks of the Yamuna river
Vrindavan, India (20566547434).jpg|Rangaji Temple of Vrindavan
PremMandirSideViewFromCanteen.jpg|Prem Mandir, Vrindavan
ISKON TEMPLE 1.jpg|Krishna Balaram Mandir
Madanmohan Mandir Vrindavan.JPG|Radha Madan Mohan Temple, Vrindavan
Radharani 5.jpg|Wall art of the name [[Religion:Radha|Radha]]
Pagal Baba Mandir.jpg|Pagal Baba Temple
</gallery>

== See also ==
*Gokul
*[[Place:Mathura|Mathura]]
*[[Place:Barsana|Barsana]]
*Nandgaon
*Radha Kund
*Kusum Sarovar
*Radha Rani Temple
*Banke Bihari Temple
*Radha Raman Temple
*Radha Madan Mohan Temple, Vrindavan
*Nidhivan
*[[Religion:Radha Krishna|Radha Krishna]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|40em}}

== External links ==


[[Category:Vaishnavism]]
[[Category:Hinduism]]

{{Sourceattribution|Vrindavan|1}}