Mathura and Vrindavan during Krishna Janmashtami festival

thirdreel

I'd been thinking about stopping at Mathura and Vrindavan as I traveled between Varanasi and Delhi, then discovered that the timing would exactly coincide with the Krishna Janmastami festival. Has anyone here been to this? Will it be extra-challenging to find lodging if I go? Should I try to arrive in advance? Are there any problems for non-Hindus? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

dreamsyndicate

I don't know what it will be during the time you will be there, but anyway,
my 2 cts :

Things can be really 'full' during festival & wedding-season.
During wedding season there wasn't a place to stay, neither in Mathura nor Vrindavan .
(Some hotels/guesthouse (in Vrindavan ) refusing non-hindus, and it were just hotels/guesthouses- no ashrams ).

I eventually found a place at a very friendly family's house rooftop, a blanket to sleep on ,the stars above , which was more than i wished for ).
They offered me food & refused any money for the lodging.

What I'm trying to say is this : it can get full overthere at times !!!
(not the kind like arriving late in pushkar festival-time or heading for Goa 'christmas-time' where money (can) solve some problems, but just full, no beds free ).

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mitchell_k

Could somebody please tell me where is the best place to be during the Janmashthami festival? I am a photographer so by best I mean most colourful, vibrant, exotic, picturesque. I read that in Mathura and Vrindavan the temples are decorated especially for this occasion and the places really come alive. I read that it is also celebrated in Dwarka and all over Maharashtra, but not so clear on how exactly it is celebrated. Also how many days does it go for? I would really appreciate any useful tips and stories in regards to this.

Thanks a lot in advance for any help.

Mitchell

lonelyaztec

Get to the ISKCON temple in your city. The puja's and celebrations are awesome.

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Maheswara_shishya

Never!! We hindoos have open arms to all!!! ((well except people who try to destroy Hinduism OH yeah we also cannot tollerate Christian missionaries who use deceptive tactics and even violence to recruit, througout India as well as all over!)