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
चीर घाट
Chir Ghat
Where Krishna took the gopis' clothes and sat in the kadamba tree: a lesson in surrender.
GhatVrindavanKrishna and the gopis
The story: The clothes in the kadamba tree
In the cold month of Hemanta, the young gopis performed a vow to the goddess Katyayani. Each morning they left their clothes on the bank and bathed in the Yamuna. One day Krishna gathered the clothes, climbed a kadamba tree and told them to come out of the water with folded hands and take them back (Srimad Bhagavatam 10.22).
He taught that one cannot approach God with hidden pride. The gopis obeyed, and he promised that their desire would be fulfilled in the autumn nights. The scene is not a worldly joke. It is the story of a soul laying down everything it protects. The ghat of this lila is called Chir Ghat (chir = cloth), and an old kadamba tree is shown.
Where this is told
- Srimad Bhagavatam 10.22: Vastra-harana lila
- Katyayani vrata: 10.22.1 to 10.22.4
History
- A ghat on the Yamuna with a kadamba tree and a small temple. The tree and structures are recent; the sources found give no dates. Check locally.
What to see
- The ghat and the kadamba tree
- Small Krishna shrine
- The Yamuna at evening
Key festivals
- Nov to Dec: Hemanta month vows and Kartik 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 in Vrindavan's ghat area.
Charge: Small. Check locally.
Restrictions
- No special rule found. Festival days bring diversions. Check locally
Cab drop and walk
Drop: At the ghat road.
Walk: 5 minutes.
Town-wide parking and transport rules: Vrindavan guide.
Distances and nearby places
| From Mathura Junction | About 13 km |
|---|---|
| From Banke Bihari, Vrindavan | About 2 km |
| From Delhi Airport (IGI) | About 175 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
What is Chir Ghat?
The ghat of the Vastra-harana lila, where Krishna took the gopis' clothes.
Check locally
- Exact location
- Timings
- Parking
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 Chir Ghat