Vrindavan

Vrindavan and Mathura are the most important places of pilgrimage for devotees of Krishna. Krishna was born in Mathura and spent His childhood in Vrindavan. There are over 5000 temples in Vrindavan, and it is not possible to visit all of them, but there are seven major temples that Gaudiya Vaishnavas visit when they come to Vrindavan.

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With a pure heart let me worship Vrajabhumi, which is the form of sweetness of meditation on Sri Krishna, which is eternal, transcendental, blissfull, and peerless, and which, although it cannot be understood by ordinary people, is easily understood by its residents. (Vraja-rita-cintamani)

Vrindavan is iluminated by numberless moons of spiritual bliss. It is cooled by the sweet nectar of spiritual love, and it is filled with desire trees and many hosts of madly cooing birds. Whoose heart will not run to Sri Sri Radha and Krishna, who enjoy eternal transcendental pastimes in that Vrindavan? (Sri Vrindavan Mahimamrita)

The Seven Major Gaudiya Vaishnava Temples

Radha Madana Mohan Sanatana Goswami discovered the Deity of Madan. Mohan. Ram das Kapoor, a merchant who became his disciple, donated the funds for this mandir in 1580. When the Muslims attacked in 1670, the original Deities were moved to Jaipur. and later to Karoli.
Radha Damodara This temple includes the Deities of Radha Damodara, worshipped by Srila Jiva Goswami, the Deities of Radha Vrindavan Chandra of Krishna Dasa Kavirja Goswami, Radha Madhava of Jayadeva Goswami and Radha Chalcikana of Bhugarbha Goswami.
Radha Syamasundara This temple was established by Syamananda Pandita. The original Deity given to Syamananda by Srimati Radharani can be seen to the right of the altar. The large Deity on the central altar was worshipped by Baladvea Vidyabhusana while he was in Vrindavan.
Radha Ramana The Deity of Radha Raman (one of the few original Deities still left in Vrindavan) was worshipped by Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami. The Deity self-manifested from one of the Goswami's saligram silas in 1542.
Radha Gokulananda Here are the Radha Vinod Deiteis of Lokanatha Goswami, the Gokulananda Deity of Vishvanatha Chakravati, the Caitanya Mahaprabhu Deity of Narottama Dasa Thakur, the Radha Vijaya Govinda Deities of Baladeva Vidyabhusana and the Govardhan sila given to Raghnatha Dasa Goswami by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
Radha Gopinatha This Deity was worshipped by Madhu Pandita, one of the close associates of Lord Caitanya. The Gopinatha Deity was originally installed by Vajranaba, Lord Krishna's grandson, 5,000 years ago. The Deity was rediscovered at Vamsi-vata by Paramananda Goswami, and worshipped there by Paramananda Bhattacarya, who gave the Deity to Madhu Pandita.
Radha Govinda This temple was built in1590 by Maharaja Man Singh for the original Govinda Deity discovered by Srila Rupa Goswami. Govindaji was removed from this temple and reinstalled in Jaipur when the Muslim Emperor Aurangzeb destryoed part of the temple in 1670.
Other Places of Interest in Vrindavan
Yamuna River and Kesi Ghata The Yamuna river flows through Vrindavan and Mathura. It is the most sacred river in India as it is so intimately connected with Krishna's pastimes. Situated on the bank of the Yamuna is Kesi Ghata, where Krishna killed the Kesi demon.
Seva Kunja This is the sacred place of the Rasa dance and also where Lord Krishna would offer service to Radharani by decorating Her hair with flowers, and by massaging and painting Her lotus feet.
Nidhuvana Here Krishna would decorate Radharani with different kinds of cosmetics before performing the Rasa dance. Sometimes Radha and Krishna would come here to rest after the Rasa dance, at the far end of the garden is a small temple call Rang Mahal, where a bed is still kept for the divine couple to rest.
Imli Tala The sacred Imli Tala tree where Srila Sanatana Goswami established the worship of Sri Sri Gaura Nitai. Caitanya Mahaprabhu used to sit regularly under the Imli Tala. A Deity of Caitanya Mahaprabhu is installed under that tree.
Gopisvara Mahadeva This is the oldest temple in Vrindavan. Gopisvara Mahadeva is Lord Siva who came to Vrindavan to become a gopi of Krishna. Vrinda Devi blessed Lord Siva and allowed him to enter the Rasa dance of Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna then offered Lord Siva the guardianship of the Rasa Lila, and placed him at the entrance of the Mandir.
Banke Bihari Mandir Established in 1864 by Swami Haridas, this temple is one of the most popular temples in Vrindavan, especially during Jhulan Yatra, the swing festival in the month of Shravan (July/August).