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You are here : Home >> Photo Gallery>>Uttar Pradesh >> Vrindavan

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Now Showing: States of India / Uttar Pradesh / Vrindavan    [Viewed 8407 times]
Welcome to Vrindavan, the land of Shri Krishna. I was fortunate to go there during Janmashtami 2009. You see decoration and devotees in the revered and famous Banke Bihari Mandir (temple) on Janmashtami day. The best way to get first hand experience of Vrindavan is to do Parikrama and visit key temples. The parikrama starts from ISKCON temple, takes 3-4 hours depending on your speed. You see ISKCON temple. Go for the Mangal aarti at 4am and 7pm aarti. Enroute met these group of Sadhus who were looking for a place to stay. I requested them to pose for a picture and they obliged. At the beginning of the parikrama is a Krishna Balaram tree. You see the Madana Mohana Temple enroute. Sanatana Goswami discovered the Deity of Madan Mohan. Ram Das Kapoor, a merchant, donated funds for this mandir in 1580. When Muslims attacked in 1670, the original deity was moved to Jaipur and later to Karoli.
Sadhus outside the temple. When I requested for a group picture they asked for dakshina in the form of Lassi. I happily ordered a glass each for them. This is Chir Ghat. Till recently Yamuna waters flowed till the point where you see the steps but now it has become part of a road. This is the tree where the Gopis would hang their clothes while going to bath in the Yamuna. Lord Krishna would take the clothes from there. Today devotees tie cloth on the tree as you can see. Went for a boat ride in the river Yamuna, do early morning or after 4ish. You see boatmen, simple guy, full of stories about Lord Krishna. Each person is a storehouse of knowledge by himself. Pay Rs 100/ for a 30 minute ride. These are the main ghats. Left to right is Yashoda Ghat, then Aarti ghat and lastly Gopi ghat. Kesi ghat is the key ghat there, it is where Krishna killed Kesi demon.
Enroute parikrama you see a Sadhu chanting Hare Krishna Hare Krishna. Parikrama route start from ISKCON temple, Krishna Balaram tree, Gautama Rishi Ashram, Varaha ghat, Ishaan goshala, Madana Mohana temple, Kaliya Ghat,Imli Tala, Sringara Vata, Keshi Ghat, Tekani Rani temple, Jaganatha temple and Lord Chaitanya temple. Spent the next one day seeing individual temples. You see entrance to one of the many temples. I did the trip bare foot and believe me it was a spiritually uplifting experience. A close up of the temple entrance. Clicked this for you to see the fine work. 1st visit was to Bankey Bihari Temple. It is beautifully decorated on the occasion of Janmashtami. Established in 1864 by Swami Haridas, this temple is one of the most popular temples in Vrindavan, especially during Jhulan Yatra, the swing festival in the month of Shravan (July/August).
A side view inside the Bankey Bihari temple. It was full of devotees, the crowds were well managed. Inside the Radha Ballabh temple. The lady that you see right in front is placing fire on a stone that is a symbol of Giriraj which was lifted on a small finger by Lord Krishna to save the entire Gokul from Lord Indra who organized heavy rains. Met these snake charmers outside the Radha Ballabh temple entrance. Inspite of it not being Nag Panchami day their liveliness, energy and positive attitude convinced me to give them Rs 10/ each for milk for Nag Devata. You see Sewa Kunj. Earlier Vrindavan was full of wild tulsi trees like you see. This is the sacred place of the Rasa dance and also where Lord Krishna would offer service to Radharani by decorating Her hair with flowers, and by massaging and painting Her lotus feet. According to people who stay close to the Kunj every night Raas or dance takes place here by Gopis. Monekys throng the place all day. If they spend the night they either die or become mad.
Inside the Sri Radha Damodar Mandir. You see devotees. Remember to do four parikramas of the temple. This temple includes the Deities of Radha Damodara, worshipped by Srila Jiva Goswami, the Deities of Radha Vrindavan Chandra of Krishna Dasa Kavirja Goswami, Radha Madhava of Jayadeva Goswami and Radha Chalcikana of Bhugarbha Goswami. Radha Ramani Mandir. You see Abhishek being performed on Janmasthami day. Very powerful temple. Felt really nice after visiting this temple. The Deity of Radha Raman (one of the few original Deities still left in Vrindavan) was worshipped by Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami. The Deity self-manifested from one of the Goswami’s saligram silas in 1542. Crowds inside the Radha Ramani Mandir. The whole temple was decorated with marigold flowers. Entrance to the Nidhi Van. It has wild tulsi trees like Sewa Kunj and Swami Haridas ki samadhi. Here Krishna would decorate Radharani with different kinds of cosmetics before performing the Rasa dance. Sometimes Radha and Krishna would come here to rest after the Rasa dance. At the far end of the garden is a small temple call Rang Mahal, where a bed is still kept for the divine couple to rest.

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[6] Comment(s) Posted
  1. Comment By - Ramachander Homma Ramanna Date - 02 Aug 2012 Time - 9:37PM

  2. I visited this place a couple of years ago. I must give credit for the Isckon for their deligience in maintaing the glory and the spirit of ancient Bridavan where Lord Krishna is supposed to have shown his varieties of LEELAs.

  3. Comment By - Ramachander Homma Ramanna Date - 22 Aug 2011 Time - 12:05AM

  4. Yes, It is wonderful sight. I had visited in the year 1997. Looks there is a great change and well organised. May the land of KRISHNA Bloom.

  5. Comment By - Dr Satya Pal Bindra Date - 02 Sep 2010 Time - 1:41AM

  6. Some commentary and better and clear view would enhance the value of photos

  7. Comment By - Dr Satya Pal Bindra Date - 31 Aug 2010 Time - 6:37AM

  8. A great display of Indian heritage. Keep up the good work


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