Popular Temple
Nidhivan (Rang Mahal)
Vrindavan, Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh
A sacred grove believed by tradition to be the nightly site of Radha-Krishna's raas leela
At a glance
- Location
- Vrindavan, Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh
- Presiding deity
- Radha-Krishna (associated with the Nikunja Leela)
- Temple type
- Popular Temple
- Tradition
- Vaishnava
- Nearest railway station
- Mathura Junction (~13 km)
- Nearest airport
- Agra Airport (~74 km); Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi (~160 km)
- Best time to visit
- Morning or before afternoon — since entry is not allowed after the evening aarti.
History
Nidhivan is a small but deeply revered grove near the Banke Bihari temple, associated with the devotional practice of Swami Haridas. Within the grove stands a small pavilion called "Rang Mahal," where bedding, water, and betel leaves are ceremonially arranged each evening after aarti. Local tradition firmly holds that Radha-Krishna and the gopis perform the raas leela here at night, and as a result, no one — human or animal — is believed to remain in the grove after the evening aarti.
Spiritual significance
This is a traditional/local belief, not a scientifically verified claim — yet it remains a deeply revered and important part of Vrindavan's devotional culture.
Plan your visit
Darshan timings
Open from around 5:00 AM until the evening aarti; entry to the grove is prohibited after aarti.
Timings change on festivals and special occasions. Confirm with the temple's official source before you travel.
Nidhivan is just a few minutes' walk from the Banke Bihari temple.
Continue your Krishna bhakti
Devotional texts for this deity, already on the site.