Radha Bihari Misthan Bhandar (Banke Bihari temple market)
Mathura peda and khoya sweets. The shop's own claim is a sweet shop here since 1965
अक्रूर घाट
Akrur Ghat
The ghat where Akrura saw Vishnu rising from the Yamuna and understood who Krishna truly was.
GhatVrindavanKrishna and Akrura
The story: Akrura sees the Lord in the water
Kansa sent his minister Akrura, secretly a devotee, to bring Krishna and Balarama to Mathura for the wrestling festival. Akrura rode toward Vrindavan thinking of nothing but the Lord's feet, and when he met the boys he fell at their feet in love (Srimad Bhagavatam 10.38).
On the return, Akrura stopped at the Yamuna to bathe. He saw Krishna and Balarama sitting in the chariot above, and below the water the same two, now as Vishnu on the serpent Shesha, worshipped by sages (Srimad Bhagavatam 10.39). He understood, folded his hands and sang a long prayer (10.40). Tradition places this vision at the ghat that bears his name, on the Yamuna between Vrindavan and Mathura.
Akrura's story is about the pilgrim's moment of recognition. You may arrive with an ordinary plan, and Braj shows you the larger truth. Take a quiet minute here.
Where this is told
- Srimad Bhagavatam 10.38 to 10.40: Akrura's journey, vision and prayers
- The identification of the ghat is local tradition
History
- A bathing ghat with small temples on the Yamuna bank. Present structures are recent; no builder is documented in the sources found. Check locally.
What to see
- The riverbank and the small Akrur shrine
- Evening river light
Key festivals
- Oct to Nov: Kartik bathing and Dev Deepawali lamps
Timings and rules
| Summer darshan | Daylight hours. Check locally |
|---|---|
| Winter darshan | Daylight hours. Check locally |
| Closed | Check locally |
| Dress code | Modest clothing; shoulders and knees covered. |
| Photos and phones | Not inside any sanctum. Check locally for the rest. |
No reliable published timings were found. Check locally.
Parking and getting there
Parking
Roadside near the ghat on the Mathura-Vrindavan stretch.
Charge: Small. Check locally.
Restrictions
- No special rule found. Festival days bring diversions. Check locally
Cab drop and walk
Drop: Drop at the ghat road end.
Walk: A few minutes.
Town-wide parking and transport rules: Vrindavan guide.
Distances and nearby places
| From Mathura Junction | About 8 km |
|---|---|
| From Banke Bihari, Vrindavan | About 6 km |
| From Delhi Airport (IGI) | About 170 km |
Distances and drive times are approximate and vary with traffic and diversions.
Practical tips
Timing and crowds
Best time: Morning or dusk.
Crowds: Usually light. Heavier on festival days.
Monkeys: Possible. Keep spectacles, phones and food out of sight.
Comfort
Footwear: Leave shoes at the gate or with your driver.
Toilets: Limited. Use facilities before you arrive.
Accessibility: Uneven ground and steps are likely. Check locally.
Scams to avoid
- Touts who offer a 'special' puja or darshan for a fee
Where to eat nearby
Lakshman Prasad Kachori Wale (Banke Bihari area)
Khasta bedai and kachori with aloo sabzi, from a generations-old stall
Agarwal Mithai Wale (near the police chowki at Banke Bihari)
Urad-dal kachori in desi ghee, potato-pumpkin sabzi, fresh curd
Purohit Ji's kachori (Banke Bihari gali)
Kachori; one source gives Rs 25 each, which may be stale
Stalls on the lanes to Banke Bihari (Loi Bazaar)
Hot jalebi, peda, chaat, rabri, kulfi. Liveliest in winter evenings
This list comes from desk research in published guides and listings. We have not visited these places for this guide. Walk and drive times are rough, and opening hours, prices and onion/garlic policy can change, so check locally before you go.
Common questions
Where is Akrur Ghat?
On the Yamuna between Mathura and Vrindavan. Your driver can stop here on the way.
Check locally
- Exact location and access
- Distances
Last checked: 2026-10-23. Sources for timings, parking and rules:
Radhe Radhe. Walk with love, we will take care of the road.
Book a cab for Akrur Ghat