Braj - The land of Lord Krishna
Krishna played his flute here
Braj area spread over almost 300 kilometers or 84 kose (one kose equivalent to 2miles) known popularly as Lord Krishna’s playground with Radha and gopis, the womenfolk of cowherd owners. The devotes have a strong belief that Radha and Krishna come here every day for meeting each other and play with other gopis and that every god of this universe also comes to this land to have a glimpse or darshna of lord Krishna, Lord Vishnu himself. Tourists from allover the world, visit this area for the same reason, to have a glimpse of Braj area and stories associated with it. There are hundreds of famous temples in different towns of this area, where tourists go for celebrations through out the year with locals with love and joy.
Mathura the birthplace of Krishna
Mathura city established has old history dating back to Treta yug, associated with Shatrughan the younger brother of Lord Ram who killed demon Lavnasur and established this holy city. Later when Lord Krishna took birth here almost five thousand two hundred years before in the jail of Kansa, his maternal uncle the ruler of Mathura. The birth of Lord Krishna in this city and temples has special meaning for his devotees who come to visit this holy city from allover the world.
Temples destroyed during initial period
The first temple constructed by great grand son of Krishna named Brajnam later when it was demolished Chandragupta Vikrmaditya the famous king of Gupta dynasty again built another temple to be destroyed by Mehmood Gaznavi in 11th century. Another temple that was constructed here about 80 years later by Janna also demolished in middle of 16th century by Sikandar Lodhi. It was another temple constructed by Veer Singh Bundela during emperor Jahangir’s regime which was almost 250ft high with golden dome visible from Agra almost 60km away but this temple also not lasted long as Ouranzeb the Moughal emperor destroyed it in 1669.
The present temple built under the trust established by one of the most famous industrialists of India Jugal Kishor Birla in the month of February 1951, the glorious temple with Bhagwat Bhawan as its main attraction. Presently there are five temples here, Radha Krishna temple being one of the most important among these the other being Dwarkadheesh temple in main city market at Asikunda built in early 19th century, where they worship according to Vallabh Pooja system. The temple of Dwarkadheesh has the best Hindole the cradles made of gold and silver for lord Krishna.
Mathura
Although tourists visit Mathura and other tourist interest places round the year but if you want to see real Braj, you must visit it during Janmashtami time. Hundreds of thousands tourists from allover the world who come to visit Braj during Janmashtami enjoy it as Jhulotsva or Jhulan Utsava when they enjoy the heavenly scenes of Krishna swinging on especially decorated swings. The festival is celebrated for 13 days in different places allover Braj including, Gokul, Barsana, Vrindavan and Mathura. The entire duration of Janmashtami celebrations see different places with different kind of swings right from floral made of gold and silver. All temples fully decorated and full of tourists present a unique view amidst chanting of Radhe Krishna. I hope some of you who read my description of this Godly area known as Braj area would attract you to visit here soon
Banks of River Yamuna- main tourists’ attraction
There are 25 ancient well maintained stone built banks on river Yamuna in Mathura and the center of the attraction Vishram Ghat situated right in the center of these banks. They perform Arti the worshiping of Yamuna twice a day in the mornings and evenings amidst big gathering of tourists. The Famous temple of Yamuna and his brother Yam is situated right here on this bank. One can cross River Yamuna right in front of this bank to reach to hermitage of Saint Durvasa.
There are other famous temple where tourists visit to have glimpses of glorious past of this religious city, some of the most visited temples- Buteswara Mahadev, Dhruv Teela, Kansa Kila, Ambreeth Teela, he place where Krishna killed Kansa, Pipleswara Mahadev, Batuk Bhairav, Kans ka Akhada, Potra Kund, Gokarna Mahadev, Balbhadra Kund, Mahavidya Devi temple etc.
Vrindavan the world famous city of temples
The place where Krishna spent his young age, Vrindavan the most visited town by Krishna devotees is the town where every house is a temple. The town has more than 5000 temple in the city built by different kings and big land owners. The most famous of these temples Banke Bihari temple is main tourist attraction where no visitors go without having Darshan of Banke Bihari. The idol established here in 1567 by Saint Haridas with holy rituals by worshipping this idol in different other holy places before finally establishing here.
The Idol has been shifted to new premises in 1921 by followers of Banke Bihari called Goswamis. The famous temples must visit for tourists in the area are Govind Dev temple, Gopinath temple, Madan Mohan temple, Damodar temple, Radha Raman Dev temple, Shyam Sundar temple and Gokulanand temple etc. The common among these is the fact that Vigrha Narain Thakur Idols of all these were not established by men but self established in these seven places of sacred worshiping built by Goswamis as directed by Chaitnya Mahaprabhu. As per the popular belief four rounds of Damodar temple is considered equal to famous saptakosi round (A religious walk on foot around Goverdhan mountain measuring seven kose or 14 miles) of Goverdhan temple. Visitors who do not have time to walk around Goverdhan mountain take a trip to Damodar temple to take advantage.
There is another famous temple a symbol of culture of south and north combined together the biggest and most glorious temples in north India Rang Laxmi temple, Radha Madhav temple built by king Savai Man Singh of Jaipur, Radha Ballabh temple, Krishna Chandrma temple, Katyani Peeth temple, Imlitala templeTarash temple, Krishna Balram temple, Mirabai temple, ISCON temple etc. The famous temple at Banshibat- Gopishwra is related to Krishna’s sixteen thousand and one hundred eight gopis considered his queenswhere Krishna used to display his love for them. They worship the famous Shivaling decorated as Gopis where devotees queue up the temple all through the day.
Shahji temple made of white marble stone, the temple with bend pillars is one of the most famous temples as architectural jewel of north India. The temple with 10ft long chandeliers, decoration material belonging to Moughal era, wall paintings and other artistic material makes this temple unique as one of its own kind. The room is especially opened for visitors only for two days in a year on 13th and 14th of Shravan month which falls in the month of July or August according to English calendar. Prem temple built by Kripalu Ji Maharaj is another grand construction made of Italian marble stone in 54 acres area. It took about 11 years to complete the construction. There are number of temples in Vrindavan very famous for different activities like the one where the celebrate Ras Lila of Radha Krishna – Seva Kunj, Udhav- Gopi Samvada, and Gyan Gudri temples where the traditional values of religions are followed strictly. Visitors to Vrindavan make it a point to visit banks of Yamuna where Krishna used to spend time with Gopis. Laxmi temple across Yamuna is another grand temple in Jahangirpuri village where a big fair is held every Thursday in winters every year.
Goverdhan Hill
Mostly referred as Giriraj Goverdhan hill is located about 21km off Mathura on Barsana road. The total length of the hill is about 11 km and height only 30 meter. As per popular belief, the hill was lifted by Krishna during rains to provide shelter to people of Goverdhan. The devotees visiting Goverdhan walk around Goverdhan famous as 14 kosi travel a walk of 28 miles barefooted which is considered a sacred ritual help getting rid of all sins. In Goverdhan town also there are many famous temples visited regularly, some of them more famous are Goverdhan Nath Mukharvind, Mansi Ganga, Haridev temple, Gourang temple, Bhjan Kutir of Sanatan Goswami, Brhma Kund, Mansa Devi temple, Chakleswara etc besides lots of other places visited by devotees and tourists around Goverdhan Chandrasarovar. Parasoli is another famous place where Surdas the poet executed his work and his Samadhi, Govind Kund, Radha Kund, the list is too long to quote all names here but Narad Kund one place worth mentioning where most travelers go to visit.
Gokul or Mahavan
Gokul is the place where Krishna’s childhood was spent and all main ceremonies related to Janmashtami held in Gokulnath temple in Gokul. They begin functions with taking procession out throwing curd mixed with turmeric known Dadhikanda on devotes from allover world in hundreds of thousands. A direct telecast is available of this function by different TV channels every year. Other famous buildings in Gokul consist of Nand palace, Nandrai temple, Koleghat, Putna uddhar place where Krishna killed Putna etc. There is a temple of Radha the main inspiring force behind Krishna who shifted to Barsana to avoid atrocities committed by Kansa on her along with her parents.
Barsana and Radha
Birthplace place of Radha the Barsana is main heartland of Braj area, situated on main Delhi Agra highway about 47 km away from Mathura where a grand temple of Radha popularly known as Ladili Mahal. The temple has a an old deity of Radha found in Brhmeshwara hill in Barsana way back and established in this temple where the visitors have to climb 250 steps to reach. A big fair takes place here every year to celebrate birth celebration of Radha a very popular occasion attended by thousands of visitors.
The temple built by king of Orcha about 400 years before has another temple nearby known as Jaipurwala temple. The four temples namely Bhanugarh, Dangarh, Vilasgarh and Mangarh of Radha situated on different hills around the area are considered four mouths of Brhma. The hills of Sunehara around here have residences of eight mates of Radha Rang Devi, Lalita, Sudevi, Champak Lata, Chitra, Tung Vidya, Vishakha and Indu Lekha. The very place where Radha and her friends used for going to market with their milk, butter and curd and Krishna with his friends break their pots is here known as Sankri Khor, meaning the narrow way in between two hills.
Nandgaon
Nandgaon is about 7km away from Barsana, one of the most famous four places of Braj area. The popular temple Nandrai is here on the Nandeeshwra hill known as Nandalya or palace of Nand. The palace has idols of Nand, Balram, Krishna and Yashoda. The present temple is about 150 years old which attracts visitors round the year. Other places of tourists’ interest around are Kadamb van, Lalita kund, Mohini van etc.
Baldev the place of Balram
Baldev the city famous for brother of Krishna also known as Dau Balram is about 22km from Mathura. Balram elder brother of Krishna king of Braj after Krishna went off to Dwarka. There is famous temple of Dau Balram in Baldev visited by thousands of visitors every day where a big black idol of Balram along with his wife Revati is placed. The place is famous for its sugar and butter prasadam offered to devotees. This place is also famous as starting point of 84kosi round of Braj that consists of more than 1000 ponds, 1300 villages, 48 forests many hills, Yamuna banks, 24 Kadamb areas where people pass through their barefooted journey.
How to reach there
Braj area is well connected with rest of the country with air, train and bus services with nearest airports at Delhi and Agra. Mathura is well connected through railways about two hours journey from Delhi. The city is full of hotels to suit every budget and lifestyle. The tourist interest places around the city can be visited by sponsored trip or transport of your choice available round the clock. UP roadways buses run their regular services for tourists on daily basis also. Tourists can avail auto or taxis available easily. You cn visit Agra, which is only an hour away from here.
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