Vrindavan Dham
Vrindavana & Mathura are the most important places of pilgrimage for devotees of Krishna. Krishna was born in Mathura & spent His childhood in Vrindavan. There is over five,000 temples in Vrindavan.The city of Mathura, in Uttar Pradesh, the nucleus of Brajabhumi, is located 140 km southeast of Delhi & 60 km north-west of Agra. Covering an area of about three,800 sq. km., Brajabhumi can be divided in to distinct units - the eastern part in the trans-Yamuna tract with places like Gokul, Mahavan, Baldeo, Mat & Bajna & the western side of the Yamuna covering the Mathura region that encompasses Vrindavan, Govardhan, Kusum Sarovar, Barsana & Nandgaon (Nandagram).
Lord Krishna is the most popular person here. Every square foot of Mathura-Vrindavan is wrapped in timeless devotion to Lord Krishna, the eternal hero, the lover of Radha & the cowherd-prince. Mathura without Lord Krishna is like Bethlehem without Jesus. Welcome to Brajabhumi, Krishna's land.
The land of Braj starts from Kotban near Hodel about 95 km from Delhi & ends at Runakuta which is known specially for its association with the poet Surdas, an ardent Krishna devotee. A long line of picturesque ghats - with their steps leading to the water's edge, arched gateways & temple spires extending along the right bank of the River Yamuna, emphasize the sacred character of the town of Mathura. The birth place of Lord Krishna, Mathura is today an important place of pilgrimage.
To enable everyone to see the area in a traditional spiritual way, every year in Kartika (Oct/Nov) ISKCON puts on a Braja Mandala parikrama. This one-month walking tour goes to all 12 forests in Vrindavan & visits most of major places in the Braja area including Mathura, Radha Kund, Varsana, Nandagrama, Gokula, Vrindavan, & Govardhana Hill. It is traditional to do this walk barefoot, although shoes are allowed.
Location
The city of Mathura is located in the western part of the state of Uttar Pradesh, in the north of India. It is an element of the great northern plains & is situated on the west bank of the river Yamuna. Mathura is 140 km south of Delhi & 60 km northwest of Agra. The climate of Mathura is extreme & tropical. Summers are hot & winters are cold & foggy. It experiences southwestern monsoon rains from July to September.
History
An ancient city whose origins fade in to the mists of history, Mathura's tactical location at the cross roads of various trade routes - that went westwards to West Asia & the Roman Empire; northwards, by Taxila, Pushkalavati & Purushapur to Central Asia & the Silk Route & eastwards to China - ensured its position as a middle of trade & a gathering point for varied cultures.
By the fifth century BC, in the coursework of the time of Buddha, it was a major metropolis & the capital of the Surasena kingdom - of the 16 Mahajanapadas of the period. Mathura saw its `golden age' in the coursework of the rule of the Kushanas & the able governance of rulers like Kanishka, Huvishka, & Vasishka, when the arts flourished & economic wealth grew. It remained a middle of power in the coursework of the Mauryan period, through the enlightened rule of Emperor Ashoka to the Gupta period (4th century AD).
By the fifth century BC, in the coursework of the time of Buddha, it was a major metropolis & the capital of the Surasena kingdom - of the 16 Mahajanapadas of the period. Mathura saw its `golden age' in the coursework of the rule of the Kushanas & the able governance of rulers like Kanishka, Huvishka, & Vasishka, when the arts flourished & economic wealth grew. It remained a middle of power in the coursework of the Mauryan period, through the enlightened rule of Emperor Ashoka to the Gupta period (4th century AD).
Braj Culture in Mathura Lord Krishna was born in a jail cell in Mathura. His sister Vasudev aided by goddess Yogamaya brought him out of Mathura, across the raging river Yamuna in to the house of Nanda in Gokula. Krishna spent his early childhood here & revealed His divinity. His uncle Kansa's homicidal attempts lead Krishna to leave Gokula & move to Nandgaon, a more secure home high up on a hill. From here the young Krishna the cowherd boy would wander in to the Vrindavan forests to play with His friends & dally with Radha, His consort. Vrindavan, is a transcendental world, a place of Krishna's lila. Each tree in the area speaks, as it were, of the love of the Divine Couple.
It has often been said that it is simpler to count the number of dust particles on the surface of the earth than to count the number of holy places in Mathura. Each of the ghats, for example, has its own Krishna story (like Visram-ghat where They rested after killing his nasty & tyrannical uncle, King Kansa).
According to the Bhagavata Purana, Sri Krishna along with the gopis had danced the rasa dance on the banks of the Yamuna in Vrindavan. When the gopis felt conceited about Lord Krishna dancing with them, They disappeared from their midst. In the agony of separation from their beloved Krishna, the gopis recalled & enacted His lilas (divine pastimes of His life) which in coursework of time came to be known as the Rasalilas. The Rasalila in its present form is ascribed to Svami Haridas & Sri Narayan Bhatt. Only young Brahmin boys of 13 to 14 years of age can performs the Rasalila. The charming childhood pranks of Sri Krishna constitute the main them of these dramas.
It has often been said that it is simpler to count the number of dust particles on the surface of the earth than to count the number of holy places in Mathura. Each of the ghats, for example, has its own Krishna story (like Visram-ghat where They rested after killing his nasty & tyrannical uncle, King Kansa).
According to the Bhagavata Purana, Sri Krishna along with the gopis had danced the rasa dance on the banks of the Yamuna in Vrindavan. When the gopis felt conceited about Lord Krishna dancing with them, They disappeared from their midst. In the agony of separation from their beloved Krishna, the gopis recalled & enacted His lilas (divine pastimes of His life) which in coursework of time came to be known as the Rasalilas. The Rasalila in its present form is ascribed to Svami Haridas & Sri Narayan Bhatt. Only young Brahmin boys of 13 to 14 years of age can performs the Rasalila. The charming childhood pranks of Sri Krishna constitute the main them of these dramas.
Temple architecture
Temple architecture in India is broadly divided in to northern & southern styles, classified by the form & shape of the shikhara & the distinctiveness of its decoration. The shikhara of the temples in South India tends to be made up of distinct horizontal levels that diminish to form a rough pyramid. Each level is decorated with miniature temple rooftops. Some temples from South India also have tall shikharas over the elaborate gateways or gopurams to add to the general symmetry to the temple complex. The shikhara of the temples in North & Central India, in contrast, resembles an upturned cone that is decorated with miniature conical shikharas. Some temples developed their own local flavor apart from adhering to their basic native style.
The basic structure of temples in India is a room or garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) where the picture (murti) of the main Deity is kept. The temple is approached by a flight of steps & is often built on a platform. A porch covers the way in to the temple, which is supported by carved pillars. A prominent roof called the shikhara surmounts the top of the garbhagriha, & dominates the environment. As time went by, tiny temples grew in to temple complexes. Some temples have a hall (mandap) from where can see the sanctum sanctorum.
Most of the temples in Vrindavan belong with the North Indian style of temple architecture, while a few conform to a mixed style. Most of the temples now present in Vrindavan were constructed after AD 1000, while some of them are of recent origin.
The basic structure of temples in India is a room or garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) where the picture (murti) of the main Deity is kept. The temple is approached by a flight of steps & is often built on a platform. A porch covers the way in to the temple, which is supported by carved pillars. A prominent roof called the shikhara surmounts the top of the garbhagriha, & dominates the environment. As time went by, tiny temples grew in to temple complexes. Some temples have a hall (mandap) from where can see the sanctum sanctorum.
Most of the temples in Vrindavan belong with the North Indian style of temple architecture, while a few conform to a mixed style. Most of the temples now present in Vrindavan were constructed after AD 1000, while some of them are of recent origin.
Main Temples and Holy Places of Mathura
Dvarkadhish Temple
The Dvarkadhish Temple, built in 1814, is a well-liked temple in the midst of Mathura town. This is the most visited temple in the midst of Mathura & is managed by followers of Vallabhacarya. One time you enter this temple from the street, it is fascinating architecturally. It is located in the eastern part of Mathura, not far from the Yamuna River. The temple is a hub of activity in the work of the festive days of Holli, Janmashtami & Diwali.Kesavadeva Temple, Jami and Katra Masjids
Jami Masjid on a plinth raised above street level a tiny way north, was done in 1661 by Aurangzeb's governor Abd-un-Nabi. It's long since lost its original vivid glazed tiles, but remains surrounded by minarets and diverse outer pavilions. Around 500 m west stands another of Aurangzeb's mosques, the impressive red sandstone Katra Masjid. This was erected on the foundations of the once-famous Kesava Deo temple, destroyed by the Moghul emperor, which had itself been built on the ruins of a Buddhist monastery. Some traces of the Hindu temple can be seen around the back, where the Sri Krishna Janmasthan or Janmabhumi complex now stands. Directly behind the mosque, approached through a corridor, a shrine marks Krishna's exact birthplace (janmasthan); its cage-like surround signifies that He was born in captivity, when His parents were prisoners of the tyrant king Kamsa.
Vrindavan - The City Of Temples
Vrindavan, around 15 km from Mathura, is a tiny town as well as a major place of pilgrimage on the banks of Yamuna. Attracting about 500 000 pilgrims every year, chiefly in the work of major festivals like Janmashtami, Holi and Radhashtami, it is noted for its numerous temples, both elderly and modern, giant and tiny (allegedly 5000 altogether). Vrindavan is synonymous with the childhood pastimes of Sri Krishna.
History
The temples that were built in honor of his visit are Madan Mohan, Govinda Deva, Gopinath, and Jugal Kishore.
The name 'Vrindavan' is derived from 'Vrinda', another name for the sacred tulsi (basil) plant. It is said that the whole place was a tulsi grove at time. According to another custom, it was named after Vrinda Devi, of Krishna's consorts. The earliest known shrine in Vrindavan is said to have been built by the local Gosvamis in a immense garden called Nidhiban. According to custom, Mughal Emperor Akbar was taken blindfolded inside the grove where they had some kind of a spiritual experience. As a result, they acknowledged the spot as being holy ground.
Main Temples
Madan Mohan Temple
This 60 foot high temple was opened in 1580 on a 50 foot hill called Dvadasaditya Tila, next to the Yamuna. Ram Das Kapoor paid to build the temple. day a ship they owned, loaded with merchandise, went aground in the Yamuna. They was advised by Sanatana Gosvami to pray to Madana Mohana for help. The ship came free & the owner of the ship made a sizable profit, which they used to built this temple.
Madan Mohan Temple on the riverside is the oldest structure in Vrindavan. This famous temple was established by Srila Sanatana Gosvami & was the first Gosvami temple built in Vrindavan, which at that time was a forest. The original Deity of Madana Mohana was discovered at the base of an elderly vat (banyan) tree by Advaita Acarya, when They visited Vrindavan. They entrusted the worship of Madana Mohana to His disciple, Purusottama Chaube, who then gave the Deity to Sanatana Gosvami. Sanatana Gosvami spend 43 years in Vrindavan. Worshiped along with Madana Mohana are Radharani & Lalita, who were sent to Vrindavan by Purusottama Jena, the son of Maharaja Prataparudra.The temple is associated with Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu who stayed here. Due to the fear of Muslim onslaughts on the temple the original murti was moved to Rajasthan (Karoli). A replica is now worshiped in the temple. The bhajan kutir & samadhi of Sanatana Gosvami, together with the puspa-samadhis of Candrasekhara Acarya & Tapana Misra are also here.
Radha Vallabha Temple is another popular temple of Vrindavan which was founded by Harivamsa Gosvami, who started the Radha Vallabha sampradaya emphasizing devotion to Radharani. In this temple, there is no Deity of Radharani, but a crown has been placed next to Krishna to signify her presence. The original temple of Radha Vallabha was destroyed by the Muslims in 1670 as well as a new temple was built beside the elderly.
Radha-Syamasundara are the Deities of Syamananda Prabhu. Darsan is from 8.30 to 11 am and five to 8 pm. It is of the seven major temples in Vrindavan. Syamananda's samadhi is across the street and down from the way in of the temple.
Shahji Temple
Shahji Temple, another popular temple at Vrindavan, was designed & built in 1876 by a rich jeweler, Shah Kundan Lal of Lucknow. The Deities at the temple are popularly known as the Chhote Radha Raman. Noted for its magnificent architecture & pleasant marble sculpture, the temple has twelve spiral columns each 15 feet high. The `Basanti Kamra' - the darbar hall is famed for its Belgian glass chandeliers & fine paintings.
Krishna Balarama Mandir
Opened in 1975 by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in Raman Reti, three km from the middle of Vrindavan. The principal Deities of this temple are Krishna with His brother Balaram. Next to Them are Radha (Krishna's consort) with Syamasundara and Gaura-Nitai. The samadhi (cenotaph) of ISKCON's founder-acarya, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, in pure white marble is within the complex in front of the temple. His private chambers have been converted in to a museum. The temple is built in the Bengal Renaissance style with bright frescoes on Krishna's life. There is and a guesthouse, restaurant, gurukula and gosalla. Hare Krishna devotees from all around the globe come here, bringing a international flavor to this ancient holy city.Among the new temples springing up along the Mathura-Vrindavan road is the Gita Mandir which houses the Gita Stambh, a pillar with the whole Bhagavad Gita carved on its surface.
The imposing temple, built by of the country's leading industrial families, the Birlas, is overshadowed by multistory building known as the Pagal Baba Mandir down the road.
