Prasad & Puja Guides – Vrindavan

What is prasad? Meaning and importance in Hindu worship

Prasad is food or an offering that is first offered to the deity and then shared with devotees. Learn what it means and how it is traditionally…

Puja in your name: sankalp, gotra and how online seva works

Cannot visit the temple? Learn what a sankalp is, why name and gotra are mentioned, and what you receive when you book a seva in your name.

Vrindavan temples: a short guide to Banke Bihari, Radha Raman, ISKCON, Prem Mandir and Radha Vallabh

A simple introduction to five well-known temples of Vrindavan and what each is known for.

How to order prasad online: step by step

From choosing a temple to payment and tracking, the full steps to order Vrindavan prasad online.

Janmashtami in Vrindavan: what the midnight festival is like

What happens in Vrindavan on Krishna's birthday, and a few plain words on fasting and bhog.

Radha Ashtami: Radha's birthday and Barsana

About two weeks after Janmashtami comes Radha's birthday. A short note on Barsana and how people mark the day.

Holi in Braj: from Lathmar to the Holi of flowers

Why Holi is different in Braj, which places celebrate it how, and how to be part of it from far away.

Govardhan Puja and Annakut: the story of the lifted hill

Why Annakut is held the day after Diwali, what the Govardhan parikrama is, and how to keep it at home.

You have received prasad: how to store it and how long to eat it

A few ordinary rules for storing dry prasad. The label on your pack always has the final word.

How to receive prasad and share it

Plain advice on what to do once prasad arrives, most of which families already follow.

Why tulsi matters so much in Krishna worship

Tulsi leaves on bhog, the tulsi mala, and the link between tulsi and the month of Kartik.

Vrindavan parikrama: the route, the time and what to keep in mind

What parikrama means, how far you walk and when it is easier to go.

Prasad as a gift for someone you love: when and how

Housewarming, birthday, wedding or a sick relative: where prasad can be a thoughtful gift.

Why Bhogdak: an attempt to take prasad to everyone

Why Bhogdak began: taking prasad to people who cannot travel to Vrindavan, and where we want to take it from here.

Going to Vrindavan for the first time? Some practical tips

When to go, what to wear, what to carry into a temple and where to be careful.

Ekadashi vrat: what it is, why and how

A plain introduction to Ekadashi, which comes twice a month, the usual fasting customs and who should be careful.

The month of Kartik: lamp offering in Damodar month

Why devotees of Krishna treat Kartik as special, what deepdan is, and what happens in Braj this month.

Ram Navami: why it is kept in Vrindavan too

Rama was born on the bright ninth of Chaitra. A short note on where this festival fits in the land of Krishna.

Akshaya Tritiya and chandan seva: caring for the deity in summer

Why the third of Vaishakha is held auspicious, and the custom of applying sandalwood paste to the deity in summer.

Jhulan Yatra: the monsoon swing festival of the deity

Jhulan, the Shravan festival of seating Radha and Krishna on a swing, and how to keep a small version at home.

Guru Purnima: remembering the teacher in Braj

Bowing to the guru on Ashadha Purnima, remembering Vyasa, and the mood of the day in Braj and Govardhan.

Basant Panchami: the start of spring in Vrindavan

Yellow clothes, Saraswati puja and the start of Holi preparations in the temples of Braj on Basant Panchami.

Sharad Purnima: the raas leela and kheer in the moonlight

The story of Krishna's maha-raas on the full-moon night of Ashwin and the common custom of keeping kheer in the moonlight.

Swami Haridas and Banke Bihari: the deity who appeared through music

How the deity of Banke Bihari is said by tradition to have appeared, and who Swami Haridas was.

Nidhivan: what people believe about it

The beliefs about Nidhivan in Vrindavan, what to keep in mind when visiting, and what is belief and what is proof.

Keshi Ghat and the Yamuna aarti: an evening in Vrindavan

About Keshi Ghat on the Yamuna, the evening aarti and what to keep in mind on a boat ride.

The Braj 84 kos parikrama: a short overview

The pilgrimage of roughly 250 km around Braj Mandal, which places it covers and what to think about before going.

Mathura, Vrindavan, Gokul, Govardhan, Barsana: what is what

Five places of Braj and the part of Krishna's life each is tied to, in plain words for first-time visitors.

A small mandir at home: where and how to set it up

A few easy suggestions for arranging a prayer room or a small corner, most of which families already follow.

What is the difference between bhog and prasad

A simple explanation of what is offered to the deity and what comes back after the offering.

What to offer Krishna at home: some easy ideas

Makhan-mishri, milk, fruit and tulsi: an easy way to offer bhog from your own kitchen.

The tulsi plant at home: simple care rules

Why tulsi dries up, how much sun and water it needs, what to do about the flower spikes and how to save it in winter.

Janmashtami puja at home: step by step

From bathing Laddu Gopal to the midnight aarti, an easy order for keeping Janmashtami at home.

Puja in your name: the questions everyone asks

What if you do not know your gotra, can you book for someone else, and some honest words about the puja.

Vrindavan month by month: what happens when

Which festival and what weather to expect in Vrindavan in each part of the year, an easy plan for your trip.

Why people in Braj say ‘Radhe Radhe’

A simple introduction to the most familiar greeting of Mathura and Vrindavan, and when it is said.

Tilak and chandan: the basics

A plain introduction to the Vaishnava tilak, sandalwood paste and gopi-chandan, with a few cautions for use.

Tulsi mala and japa: simple basics

How a 108-bead mala is counted, how it is held and how to keep it with care.

Aarti at home: simple steps

The simple steps of a home aarti, from lighting the lamp to taking the aarti, with safety points.

Temple manners in Vrindavan

Small but useful points on footwear, clothing, phones, crowds and monkeys for first-time visitors.

Deepavali in Braj and the days after it

Lamps in the homes and ghats of Braj at Deepavali, followed by Govardhan puja and the custom of a Yamuna bath.