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
केशी घाट
Kesi Ghat
The principal bathing ghat of Vrindavan, where Krishna killed the horse-demon Kesi and the Yamuna aarti glows at dusk.
GhatVrindavanKrishna, Yamuna Maharani
The story: Kesi, the horse that came to devour Vrindavan
Kansa sent the demon Kesi to Vrindavan in the form of a huge horse, neighing so loudly that the clouds scattered. Krishna waited for him with open arms. When the horse leapt to bite, Krishna pushed his arm down the beast's throat. The arm swelled until the demon burst and died.
The Bhagavatam tells it in Srimad Bhagavatam 10.37. After the killing Krishna bathed here, at the ghat that has been Kesi Ghat since. He was called Keshava, 'the slayer of Kesi', and the name carries deep meaning for every devotee.
Today's ghat is a place to sit, watch the river, take a boat if the water level is good, and see the Yamuna aarti at dusk.
Where this is told
- Srimad Bhagavatam 10.37: Kesi's death
- Vishnu Purana 5.16: the same story
History
- The red sandstone ghat in its present form was built in the 18th and 19th centuries by royal patrons. Specific names: check locally.
- Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is said to have bathed here in 1515.
- The Yamuna now flows lower and further from the steps than in old photographs; the water level varies by season.
What to see
- Yamuna aarti at dusk
- The old stepped ghat and its pavilions
- Boat rides (when water is good)
Key festivals
- Oct to Nov: Kartik dip and Dev Deepawali lamps
- Aug to Sep: Janmashtami
Timings and rules
| Summer darshan | Open all day. Aarti at dusk, about 7:00 pm |
|---|---|
| Winter darshan | Open all day. Aarti at dusk, about 6:00 pm |
| Closed | None |
| Dress code | Modest. If you step into the water, be careful with currents. |
| Photos and phones | Allowed at the ghat. |
Aarti times vary with sunset. Check locally.
Parking and getting there
Parking
Lots near the Kesi Ghat approach and on the river road.
Charge: About Rs 30 to 50. Check locally.
Restrictions
- Narrow approach; large vehicles stop at the main road
Cab drop and walk
Drop: Drop at the head of the ghat road.
Walk: 3 to 5 minutes.
Town-wide parking and transport rules: Vrindavan guide.
Distances and nearby places
| From Mathura Junction | About 14 km |
|---|---|
| From Banke Bihari, Vrindavan | About 1.5 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: Dusk, for the aarti.
Crowds: Moderate; busy on weekends.
Monkeys: Yes, on the ghat.
Comfort
Footwear: Remove on the steps near the water.
Toilets: Limited.
Accessibility: Steps; not step-free.
Scams to avoid
- Boat-ride touts who charge by the person; fix the full price first
- Pandas who ask for ritual fees
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 Keshava?
A name of Krishna meaning the slayer of Kesi, from this lila.
Check locally
- Aarti time
- Boat rides and rates
- 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 Kesi Ghat