Krishna Janmasthan Sewa Sansthan Bhojnalaya (Katra Keshav Dev)
Unlimited sattvic thali: aloo-mangodi, lauki, dal, roti, rice, kheer. The Rs 100 price in the source is old
श्री कृष्ण जन्मभूमि
Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi (Keshav Dev)
The prison cell where, at midnight, Krishna was born. The heart of Mathura and the first stop of any Braj yatra.
TempleMathuraKeshav Dev (Krishna), with the Garbha Griha prison cell shrine
The story: The midnight in Kansa's prison
Kansa, king of Mathura, locked up his sister Devaki and her husband Vasudeva after a voice from the sky said that the eighth child of Devaki would kill him. He killed six of their children. The seventh, Balarama, was moved by Yogamaya into the womb of Rohini. On the eighth night, in the dark half of Bhadrapada, in a rainstorm, Krishna was born: four-armed, shining, in the cell.
The chains fell open. The guards slept. Vasudeva took the baby in a basket, crossed the flooded Yamuna with the river parting for him, and exchanged him with Yashoda's newborn girl in Gokul. The Bhagavatam tells this in Srimad Bhagavatam 10.3. The moment of birth is celebrated on Janmashtami at midnight, with this very cell as the centre.
The Garbha Griha, a small shrine in the lower level, is believed to stand where the cell stood. You walk down, feel the stone and the quiet, and many are in tears. Do not rush. When you stand here, you take your part in a story that has not stopped for five thousand years.
Where this is told
- Srimad Bhagavatam 10.1 to 10.3: Devaki's marriage, Kansa's fear and Krishna's birth
- Vishnu Purana 5.1 to 5.3 and Harivamsa, Vishnu Parva 4 to 5
- Varaha Purana (Mathura Mahatmya) names the Janma-sthana as a tirtha
History
- Archaeology suggests worship at the site from at least the early centuries CE. A Gupta-era temple is described by Chinese pilgrims.
- Mahmud of Ghazni attacked Mathura in 1017 CE. Temples here were rebuilt and destroyed several times.
- Raja Vir Singh Deo Bundela of Orchha built a great Keshav Dev temple in the early 17th century (about 1618). It was destroyed under Aurangzeb in 1670 and the Shahi Idgah was built next to the site.
- In 1951 the Shri Krishna Janmasthan Seva Sangh was founded. The present Keshav Dev temple and the large Bhagavata Bhavan were built in the 1950s and 1970s to 1980s with Birla family support. The site is subject to ongoing court cases, and the security is strong. Check locally for the current order.
What to see
- The Garbha Griha (birth cell) shrine, underground
- The Keshav Dev temple with Radha Krishna
- Bhagavata Bhavan with the Krishna Leela panels
- The Janmashtami midnight celebrations (if you are here that day)
Key festivals
- Aug to Sep: Janmashtami: the biggest day of the year, with midnight abhishek
- Sep: Radhashtami
- Feb to Mar: Holi
- Oct to Nov: Diwali and Govardhan Puja decorations
Timings and rules
| Summer darshan | Roughly 5:00 am to 12:00 pm, and 3:00 pm to 9:30 pm (some listings say 6:30 am to 9:00 pm) |
|---|---|
| Winter darshan | Roughly 5:30 am to 12:00 pm, and 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm (some listings say 6:30 am to 8:00 pm) |
| Aarti | Mangala aarti about 5:30 am; Sandhya aarti about dusk; Shayan aarti at night |
| Closed | Short afternoon break |
| Dress code | Modest. Shoes off at the gate stands. |
| Photos and phones | Mobile phones, cameras, electronic gadgets, remote car keys and earphones are not allowed inside. There is a paid cloakroom (locker) just outside the first metal detector. Photography inside is strictly prohibited. |
| Also | Security is very strict: metal detectors, bag checks and frisking |
| Also | Do not carry bags, belts, wallets with metal parts, pens or paper. Bring only ID and a small amount of cash |
| Also | On Janmashtami the entry may be only from the north gate and exit from the main gate |
| Also | Mathura has an ongoing Idgah dispute: do not photograph security forces or enter into arguments |
Third-party sources disagree. Confirm at the gate.
Parking and getting there
Parking
Official parking near the Krishna Janmabhoomi complex on the Janmasthan Marg, and public lots in the Bhuteshwar and Katra area.
Charge: About Rs 50 to 100 for a car. Check locally.
Restrictions
- On Janmashtami and Holi, private vehicles, e-rickshaws and heavy vehicles are barred from the roads leading to the temple (the 2026 plan covered 3 to 5 September)
- Check-posts and barricades on the Mathura-Vrindavan road, with parking at designated lots outside the city
- E-rickshaw only inside the Katra and old city lanes
Cab drop and walk
Drop: The cab can drop you near the Janmasthan gate on ordinary days. On festival days, plan to park outside and walk or take an e-rickshaw.
Walk: 5 to 10 minutes from the nearest parking.
Town-wide parking and transport rules: Mathura guide.
Distances and nearby places
| From Mathura Junction | About 3.5 km, 15 to 25 minutes |
|---|---|
| From Banke Bihari, Vrindavan | About 13 km, 30 to 45 minutes |
| From Delhi Airport (IGI) | About 165 km, 3 hours |
Distances and drive times are approximate and vary with traffic and diversions.
Practical tips
Timing and crowds
Best time: Weekday mornings. Avoid Janmashtami week if you want a calm visit.
Crowds: Ordinary weekday wait is about 20 minutes. During festivals it can be more than an hour.
Comfort
Footwear: Free or small-fee stands outside the metal detector.
Toilets: Yes at the entrance, near the cloakroom.
Accessibility: A ramp and a lift are available in parts of the complex. The Garbha Griha has stairs. Check locally.
Scams to avoid
- Pandas and tour guides outside who say you must pay them for darshan. Entry is free
- Locker touts with unmarked lockers. Use the official cloakroom counter
- Photographers who offer 'inside' photos. There are none allowed
- Leave your phone with your driver or hotel if you prefer not to pay for the cloakroom
Where to eat nearby
Oma Pehalwan Kachori Wala (Goverdhan Road, Krishna Nagar, near Potra Kund)
Heeng dal kachori, bedhai with thin 'dubki' aloo, jalebi fried in ghee
Main Brijwasi Pede Wale (walking distance of Krishna Janmasthan)
Poori-sabzi, bedhai, kachori and peda in the morning. Sells out early. Not the same shop as Brijwasi at Holi Gate
Girraj Ji Chat Bhandar (opposite the Janmabhoomi)
Aloo tikki, pani puri, dahi bhalla, papdi
Gosai Pede Wale (near Prayag Ghat, Shubham Road, close to the Janmabhoomi)
Peda in several styles (pakka, lal, naram). The founding date of 1832 is the shop's own claim
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
Can I take my mobile phone into Krishna Janmabhoomi?
No. Phones, cameras and electronics must be left outside. A paid cloakroom is available at the entrance.
Is the entry free?
Yes. Darshan is free. Only the cloakroom and shoe stands charge small fees.
Is Janmashtami a good time to visit?
It is the biggest day of the year, but the crowds are huge and vehicle restrictions apply from early morning on the day before. Plan to stay in Mathura the night before.
Check locally
- Exact timings
- Cloakroom rates
- Current gate and security rules
- Parking charge
Last checked: 2026-10-23. Sources for timings, parking and rules:
Radhe Radhe. Walk with love, we will take care of the road.
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