The Barsana ropeway to Shriji
The ropeway lifts you from the foot of Bhanugarh hill to the Shri Radha Rani temple in a few minutes, six people to a cabin. It is the easy way up for elderly parents, small children and anyone who cannot manage the 200 and more steps.
Rs 100 return, Rs 60 one way
Children under 5 ride free; from 5 up they need a ticket. These are the fares published in 2024 and still quoted in 2026; check the board at the counter.
8 AM to 9 PM
Shriji itself closes from 2 to 5 PM, so going up in that window gets you to a shut temple. Cabins stop in strong wind.
Counter, online or WhatsApp
Tickets are sold at the counters at both stations. The operator's site, radharaniropeways.com, books online through Book Meri Ride (an account is needed) and on WhatsApp at +91 78900 03600. Ticket helpline 080 6513 0000.
The ropeway in numbers
| What is published | |
|---|---|
| Operator | Shri Radha Rani Ropeways Pvt Ltd, a public private project of the Mathura Vrindavan Development Authority |
| Cabins | 12 cabins from abroad, 6 people each, on two towers |
| Length | Reported as 210 m by some and 300 m by others |
| Ride | 3 to 7 minutes, depending on who you read; plan 10 minutes with boarding |
| Cost to build | About Rs 15.9 crore |
| Opened | Reports differ: inaugurated by the Chief Minister on 25 August 2024 (Janmashtami), and again described as opened on 7 March 2025 |
Sources: Native Planet and CSR Journal (August 2024), Times Now Hindi and ETV Bharat (June 2024), PTI (March 2025).
Before you queue
- Go early. The first cabins at 8 AM beat the weekend and festival lines. Shringar aarti at Shriji is at 7 AM, so for that one you walk.
- Shoes and bags. Shoes come off at the temple, not at the ropeway. Carry a cloth bag for them.
- Festival days. The ropeway ran through Radha Ashtami 2025, but the queue on such days can take longer than the steps. On Lathmar Holi we check on the morning itself.
- Safety. On 18 March 2025 three cabins struck the lower station and a few people were hurt slightly. Service was suspended for an inquiry and was running again by Radha Ashtami that August.
Parking at the ropeway
A June 2024 report, before opening, gave space for about 100 vehicles at the lower station. No parking charge has been published; expect to pay a small fee as everywhere in town.
On festival days you will not drive to it. For Lathmar Holi 2024 vehicles were stopped outside town from 8 PM the evening before and people walked about 5 km. For Radha Ashtami 2026 the police ran 50 parking sites on the roads into Barsana. Sleep in Barsana, or let a local driver drop you as close as the day allows.
Or the steps
The old way up is the stone stairway from the town to the temple gate, with landings to rest on. Counts vary from about 200 to more than 350 depending on which route you take, which is why every guide gives a different number. Early morning it is cool and full of people singing; by 10 AM in May and June the stone is hot underfoot.
Many do both: steps up for the darshan, ropeway down for the knees.
Plan the rest of the day
Temple timings, open now Barsana quick facts Stays near Shriji Cabs
The Barsana ropeway to Shriji
What is the Barsana ropeway ticket price?
Rs 100 for a return trip and Rs 60 one way. Children under 5 ride free. These fares were published in 2024 and are still quoted in 2026; the board at the counter is final.
What are the Barsana ropeway timings?
8 AM to 9 PM. The temple at the top closes from 2 to 5 PM, so plan around that. The cabins stop in strong wind.
Can I book the Barsana ropeway online?
Yes. The operator's site radharaniropeways.com books online through Book Meri Ride and on WhatsApp at +91 78900 03600. Tickets are also sold at the counters at both stations.
How many steps are there to the Radha Rani temple?
More than 200. Counts range from about 200 to over 350 because there is more than one route up. There are landings to rest on.
Is the ropeway open on Radha Ashtami and Holi?
It ran during Radha Ashtami 2025. On big festival days the queue can be longer than the climb, and the town is closed to cars, so plan to walk in.
Is there parking at the Barsana ropeway?
Yes, a lot for about 100 vehicles at the lower station. On festival days private cars are stopped outside town.
We reply with a plan, not a brochure
Say when you are coming and how many of you there are. You get two or three options with real distances to Shriji and a fixed price. No surge on festival days.
- Zero commission. This is seva we do for Ladli Ji's bhakts.
- Reply within a day, usually within hours
- Stays 10% below the walk-in rate when booked through us
- A local lead with every group on festival days
- No VIP darshan promises, because there is no such thing at Shriji
Or message us on WhatsApp: +91 76783 47260