The most important and renowned ghat on the banks of River Yamuna is Vishram Ghat. It is both bath and worship place and is sacred for its religious connection to Hindu mythology. According to legends, after punishing and killing his mama Kansa, the very tired Lord Krishna took rest at this place and so the name of this ghat became popular as ‘Vishram Ghat’. This ghat displays a beautiful spectacle during the evening. After the evening prayers and aarti, the devotees float oil lamps and diyas on leaves of paan into the adjoining Yamuna River. These floating lamps and diyas with their reflection on the flowing river provide a beautiful scene for the onlookers. Although famous for temples, it also has several ghats on the bank of the river Yamuna. Devotees take religious bath and perform various rituals on these ghats.
Vishram Ghat is among the most important ghats also because as the traditional parikrama starts from and ends at this place. The parikrama is the circumambulation on foot of all the major religious and cultural places of Mathura. It is also positioned centrally among the 25 ghats of Mathura, 12 ghats lying on North Side of this ghat while other 12 lies on the southern side. The ghats on the northern side are Dashashwamedh Ghat, Ganesh Ghat along with Ghantagharan Ghat, Neelakantheshwar Temple, Varahkshetra or Navtirtha Ghat, Dharapattan Ghat, Saraswati Sangam Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat, Somatirth or Swami Ghat, Chakratirtha Ghat, Vaikuntha Ghat, Krishnaganga Ghat and Asikunda ghat. The 11 ghats on the south are Ram Ghat, Guptatirth Ghat, Ravan Koti Ghat, Shyam Ghat, Prayag Ghat, Kankhal Ghat, with its Mokshatirth Ghat, Saptrishi Ghat, Veni Madhav Temple, Surya Ghat and Dhruva ghat.
Neelkantheshwar Temple, Radha-Damodar Temple, Yamuna-Krishna Temple, Mukut Temple, Narasimha temple, Murli Manohar Temple and Langali Hanuman Temple surround the Vishram Ghat in Mathura. The original kadamb tree is also here.
Schedule of Aarti
Summer: Aarti 07.00 am to 07.15 am
Winter: Aarti: 6:45 am to 07:00 am
On the occasion of Bhaiduj or Yama Dwitiya which falls on the third day after Diwali, brother-sister duo take holy dip on the ghats in accordance to a famous mythological story.
Places to Stay Near Vishram Ghat
There are lots of options to stay near Vishram Ghat. Few tourist Bunglows and rest houses are available on as low as Rs. 500 to Rs 700 per night. Ask for Gaurav rest House or Rahi tourist Bungalow. Hotels are located near Railway Stations, Bus Stand and near and around Ghats. Deluxe and semi deluxe rooms may cost anything between 1200 to 4000 depending on the facilities they provide.
Route to Vishram Ghat
Vishram ghat is approx. 4 kms from Mathura junction railway station. It takes approx. 8 minutes to cover this distance.From Railway station, one should move west towards the ghat kinara road and then Turn right at Madhave Fabrication onto Vishram Bazar which continues to Dori Bazaar. At Chowk bazaar Chauraha, one should take a left and then onto SH-80. After 400m take 1st right and walk towards Vishram ghat.
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