By the Vrajraj team, Govardhan · Last verified
Braj is the spiritual retreat closest to Delhi: about 150 km, or 3.5–4.5 hours by road, to the land where Krishna grew up. Vrajraj Farms & Retreat is at Punchhari on the 21 km Govardhan Parikrama, among open fields at the quiet southern tip of Giriraj ji. Come for a few days of early mornings, devotion and silence, without the long drive into the hills.
Braj or Rishikesh?
| Braj (Govardhan) | Rishikesh | |
|---|---|---|
| From central Delhi | ~150 km, 3.5–4.5 hr on flat highways | ~240 km, 6–7 hr, with heavy weekend traffic |
| Spiritual focus | Bhakti: Radha–Krishna, Giriraj ji, parikrama, kirtan | Yoga, the Ganga, ashram courses |
| Daily practice | Parikrama, darshan, japa, satsang | Yoga classes, Ganga aarti, meditation |
| Setting | Farmland, sacred kunds and a low sacred hill | River and mountains |
| Best for | Families, devotees, anyone short of time | Structured yoga courses, adventure |
Both are wonderful. If you have a long weekend rather than a week, and you are drawn to devotion more than to asana, Braj is the easier choice.
What a retreat at Vrajraj looks like
There is no fixed timetable, guru or dress code. Vrajraj is a retreat, not an ashram. Choose as much or as little as you like:
- Dawn parikrama: walk part or all of the Govardhan Parikrama, starting at Punchhari ka Lautha, 2 km away.
- Darshan: Giriraj ji at Daan Ghati and the Mukharvind at Jatipura, evening aarti at Radha Kund, and Radha Rani's temple at Barsana.
- Quiet practice: japa, meditation or reading by our garden Krishna temple and in the fields.
- Yoga and movement: open-air mornings, as we develop our wellness programme.
- Seva: spend time with the cows at the gaushala.
- Simple food: fresh, light meals from our own kitchen. Tell us about vrat food or no onion and garlic, and we will do our best.
A three-day retreat plan
Day 1: Arrive and settle
Leave Delhi early and reach Govardhan by late morning. Take darshan at Daan Ghati on the way in. Spend the afternoon resting, then walk the fields at sunset and sit by the temple as the lamps are lit.
Day 2: Parikrama and Radha Kund
Walk the longer loop of the parikrama from Punchhari before sunrise, via Jatipura and Govardhan town. Rest through the afternoon. In the evening, go to Radha Kund and Kusum Sarovar for aarti and kirtan.
Day 3: Silence, then home
Take a slow morning: yoga, japa or simply tea in the open air. Leave after lunch, or go via Barsana or Vrindavan for one last darshan.
Group retreats
Satsang mandals, kirtan groups, yoga teachers and families often want to bring a group to Braj. Vrajraj has lawns and multipurpose halls for sessions, rooms for the group, a temple on site and food from our own kitchen, all on the parikrama. See katha, satsang and group retreats, or tell us about your group below.
When to come
- Kartik (about 26 October to 24 November 2026) is the most sacred month in Braj, with lamp offerings every evening. It is beautiful, but busy.
- October to March has cool, clear days for walking and sitting outdoors.
- Ordinary weekdays are the quietest of all. Avoid Purnima and major festivals if you want stillness. See the festival calendar.