Diwali in Mathura and Vrindavan is celebrated with diyas along the Yamuna ghats and decorated temples and the devotional atmosphere in the Braj region. Unlike the firework of the Diwali celebration in many Indian cities, the celebration here is known for the combination of both Lakshmi Puja and some other local festivities related to Krishna. The celebrations do not end with Diwali Night, as there is still Govardhan Puja and Annakut to come, so it is a great time to visit Braj Bhoomi. This guide covers the 2026 dates, temples and ghats, and travel tips for visiting Mathura and Vrindavan during Diwali, whether you are planning independently or with a Mathura-Vrindavan tour package.
Diwali Date and Time 2026
Diwali in Mathura and Vrindavan falls on Sunday, November 8, 2026. Lakshmi Puja for Diwali 2026 is 5:54 PM to 7:50 PM (auspicious window around) 6:29 PM to 8:29 PM
| Occasion | Date (2026) |
| Dhanteras | Friday, November 6 |
| Choti Diwali | Saturday, November 7 |
| Diwali / Lakshmi Puja | Sunday, November 8 |
| Govardhan Puja | Monday, November 9 |
| Bhai Dooj | Tuesday, November 10 |
NOTE: Please confirm the timings of the puja, as it is calculated on the basis of panchang, so timings may slightly differ from what is mentioned.
Why is Diwali in Mathura and Vrindavan special?
The reason why Diwali is different in Mathura-Vrindavan is because of the fact that Braj Bhoomi is the birthplace of Krishna. The focus here is on temples, Yamuna ghats and Lord Krishna, and not on fireworks or bazaars. Worship of Goddess Lakshmi takes place during Diwali in houses; however, in Mathura-Vrindavan, there is worship of Lord Krishna as well on the day of Diwali. It takes place by decorating the idols of Lord Krishna, lighting candles to rivers, and aarti. The latter part of the celebration is known as Govardhan Puja.
How is Diwali Celebrated in Mathura and Vrindavan?
Diyas and Home Decoration: Hindus decorate their home and temple with flowers, lights, candles and diyas. Not just homes but shops, temples and even offices decorated during Diwali.
Temple Celebration: Many temples in Mathura and Vrindavan are decorated with earthen lamps, flowers and lights. Temples hold special celebrations on the occasion of Diwali. We will discuss mentioning temples where you can visit on Diwali. Make sure to attend special Aarti in the temples.
Yamuna Aarti and Deepdaan: Although Aarti on Vihsram Ghat and Keshi Ghat has a special itself, on Diwali, you can also do Deepdaan, in which you can light an earthen lamp and offer it to the Yamuna River and pray.
Annakut or Govardhan Puja: The next day after Diwali, temples prepare Annakut Puja, which is a large buffet of food offerings representing a Krishna lifting Govardhan Hill, tying the festival to the region’s local legends.
Temple to Visit in Mathura and Vrindavan During Diwali
There are many temples and places to visit in Mathura and Vrindavan that celebrated Diwali with great spirit. Here is the list of temples and ghats where you can visit during Diwali to enrich your experience. Exploring the temples during Diwali in Mathura and Vrindavan is the best way to feel the true spirit of Braj Bhoomi.
Krishna Janmabhoomi
The birthplace of Lord Krishna. It is one of the most visited temples in Mathura. During the festival of Diwali, the complex is beautifully decorated, and a large number of devotees visit on the special occasion.
Dwarkadhish Temple
This 19th-century temple to Lord Krishna is located in the old part of Mathura city. This temple is well known for its decoration. During the Diwali festival, there is a special aarti organized in this temple.
Banke Bihari Temple
One of the most popular temples in Vrindavan is the Banke Bihari Temple. It is where Lord Krishna is worshipped. During Diwali Festival and the next-day celebration of Annakut, the temple is decorated with lights and gets one of the largest crowds of Vrindavan.
Vishram Ghat
It is one of the famous ghats in Mathura on the bank of the Yamuna. This is the ghat where Krishna rested after killing his demon uncle Kamsa, also known as Kansa. Devotees pray and light a diya on the ghat.
Keshi Ghat
Keshi Ghat is located in Vrindavan on the bank of the Yamuna. This ghat got its name from the demon horse Keshi, who was sent by Kansa to kill Lord Krishna, but later Lord Krishna defeated and killed Keshi at this ghat.
Prem Mandir
The temple’s regular light show is complemented by festive decorations, making it a popular evening visit during Diwali. The temple looks very beautiful in the evening as the lighting highlights the white marble used in the construction and the pillars, which show events in the life of Radha and Krishna.
ISKCON Vrindavan
This temple is known as Sri Krishna Balaram Mandir. This ISKCON temple is popular among people of different nationalities. It is famous for its Diwali and Annakut festivals celebrated there. The deities in the temple are always well-decorated.
Radha Raman Temple
The oldest temples in Vrindavan are famous for their special deity, which is said to be a manifestation of the appearance of God and not any kind of carving. This unique temple celebrates the festival of Diwali with its old traditions and arti rituals.
Suggested Read: Vrindavan Temple List with Timings
What happens on Govardhan Puja after Diwali?
Govardhan Puja falls on Monday, November 9, 2026, the day after Diwali. If you have a question about why Govardhan Puja occurs, we all know how Krishna lifted Govardhan Hill on his finger to shelter the villagers of Braj from torrential rain sent by Indra, the deity of rain and thunder. Even today, devotees celebrate that day by worshipping Scared Gvardhan Hill and offering prasad to the Lord Krishna. Temples prepare Annakut, which means a feast to celebrate the special day. No visit to Diwali in Mathura and Vrindavan is complete without witnessing the Annakut celebrations that follow the next day.
Many devotees visit Govardhan town, which is located about an hour from Vrindavan, to take part in these ceremonies and also to perform the Govardhan Parikrama, which is a 21 km walk around the hill. You can also book a 2-day Special Govardhan Puja Package to visit the important temples and take part in the festive celebrations without having to plan everything yourself.
5-Day Diwali Itinerary for Mathura and Vrindavan
Here is the complete 5-day itinearary to celebrate this Diwali in Mathura and Vrindavan with your family.
Day 1 (November 6 – Dhanteras)
Arrive at Mathura, complete your check-in process, and after that, go to Krishna Janmabhoomi and Dwarkadhish Temple in the evening. Take a walk down Vishram Ghat to experience the evening aarti.
Day 2 (November 7 – Choti Diwali)
Go to Vrindavan, which is 15 km away from Mathura. During the day you can visit Banke Bihari Temple, Radha Raman Temple and Govind Dev Ji Temple. Evening visit to Keshi Ghat.
Day 3 (November 8 – Diwali)
Visit Prem Mandir and ISKCON Vrindavan during the day. In the evening, you may participate in the Lakshmi Puja at your hotel or any temple near you and later visit the ghats to watch the lighting of diyas.
Day 4 (November 9 – Govardhan Puja)
Arrive early at Govardhan town, which is one hour away from Vrindavan, to celebrate Annakut. If you have time and energy, then participate in the Govardhan Parikrama.
Day 5 (November 10 – Bhai Dooj)
It is suggested that you choose the morning to complete your visit to the temples or shopping at Mathura.
Tip: You can adjust this itinerary as per the number of days you have; if you have less time, you can skip govardhan puja and manage temple visits in fewer days.
Things to do during Diwali in Mathura and Vrindavan?
Visit famous temples such as Banke Bihari and Iskcon Temple.
Offer your prayer and lamps at Yamuna Ghat and at Keshi Ghat.
Attend the Yamuna aarti performed in the evening at the Ghat.
Visit the Prem Mandir in the evening to see the lightshow.
Do a parikrama of Govardhan Hill the next day of Diwali.
Visit temples in Vrindavan having celebrations of Annakut to make your Diwali in Mathura and Vrindavan memorable.
Tips to Visit Mathura and Vrindavan During Diwali
During the time Diwali in Mathura and Vrindavan, you will find a heavier crowd than on normal days, so be prepared for it.
Make sure to wear modest clothes to avoid any hassle in the temples
Do not carry a lot of cash; keep your belongings safe in the crowd.
If you are doing the Parikrama to Govardhan, start early in the morning to avoid the heat and the big crowds at midday.
You must spare some extra time if you get stuck in crowds in the temples.
Keeping hydrated and carrying around a few basic essentials such as food and medicine.
What to Book in Advance for Diwali in Mathura and Vrindavan?
Hotel: Book a hotel room during Diwali in Mathura and Vrindavan in advance, as rooms close to major temples get booked in quick time.
Train tickets: Mathura Junction is well connected with Delhi and other towns so it is suggested to book in advance because of high demand during festivals.
Cabs: If coming from Delhi to Mathura (3-4 hour journey), then it is better to book cabs in advance, or else the prices may increase.
Transport within the city: Auto-rickshaws and electric rickshaws can be availed for reaching out to temples and ghats in Mathura and Vrindavan.
Booking of family hotels: Family members and groups should prefer hotels that have multiple beds or connecting rooms, as the rush is very heavy during festivals.
VIP booking at temples: Booking in advance is not required except for special Diwali/Annakut passes offered by temples.
CONCLUSION
Diwali in Mathura and Vrindavan brings together Lakshmi Puja and Krishna’s own traditions, from the oil lamps lit along the ghats to the grand Annakut Festival during Govardhan Puja. Since rooms get booked quickly, it is wise to plan your stay well ahead of time. Many travellers choose a Dharamshala in Mathura since it tends to be both affordable and close to the major temples. Ultimately, Diwali in Mathura and Vrindavan offers a spiritual experience unlike any other festive destination in India.
