BRAJ BHOOMI

                                                                                                                                                                   
                                       M A T H U R A

Mathura is the Athens of India.  The  little town on the River Yamuna where Shri Krishna, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, was born  in the Dwapara Yuga as the eighth son of the Yadava prince Vasudev and his wife Devaki and transformed it  into a place of faith.    It is major place of pilgrimage. Mathura is still alive with the legend and  redolent with the music of his flute that still reverberate with the enchantment of Shri Krishna. We visited the SHRI KRISHNA JANMA BHUMI the Birth Place of Lord Krishna, a place guarded by the soldiers of King Kansa . We aslo visited the VISHRAM GHAT the sacred spot where Lord Krishna is believed to have rested after slaying the tyrant Kansa. We visited the DWARKADHEESH TEMPLE built in 18th century, which is the main temple in the town and a great attraction during the festive days of Holi, Janmashthami and Diwali alongwith GITA MANDIR displaying exquisite carvings and paintings. The GOVT. MESEUM has one of the finest collection of rare items of archaeological interest. Mingling with the crowd of devotees and tourists energizes one in this immortal town.

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                                                               VRINDAVAN

We actually stayed in an Ashram at the celebrated town of Vrindavan 15 Km. north of Mathura on the same bank of Yamuna, where Lord Krishna spent his  eventful youth. This is where all the leelas and frolics of Young Krishna with Gopis and Radha took place...another major place of pilgrimage. There are hundreds of shrines in the town, as also numerous ghats and several sacred tanks, of which one called Brahama kund and another named Govinda kund are the most highly venerated. Govinda Deva is the most famous and finest temple built by Raja Man Singh of Jaipur in 15th century. The marvelous art of glass work dazzles the pilgrim's eyes at GLASS TEMPLE. The popular and exciting KRISHNA BALRAM MANDIR ( ISKCON VRINDAVAN ) reverberates with song and dance. I cannot forget the cycle rickshaws, always shouting "Radhe Shyam" instead of blowing horns to  wade through the crowds.  The more and more you stay here, you would ultimately become one among the devotees.

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                                                                G O K U L

We were thrilled to visit GOKUL, about 15 Kms. of the south-east of Mathura on the bank of the river Yamuna. This is the place to which the infant Krishna was spirited away soon after birth, to save him from the murderous intentions of his maternal uncle Kansa, the ruler of Mathura.  Gukul is a celebrated spot where Lord Krishna was reared in secrecy by his foster parents Nand and Yashoda and grew up with the gopas (cowherds) in Braj (their pastureland). This place is very scared and is visited by thousands of pilgrims who reminisce while walking through the narrow lanes of Gokul, visit the house and cradle where Baby Krishna was put to sleep. You can see the Yamuna river, through the window and visualize Nand carrying Baby Krishna on a basket during the rainy night with Seshanag spreading its hood and covering the baby from rain drops. A great escape from King Kansa. I have seen pilgrims rolling on the sands of playgrounds where Baby Krishna used to play, trying to recall the past.

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                                                        G O V E R D H A N

We hired a car and drove 26 Km from Mathura, to  the  Goverdhan Hillock which is said to have raised on the finger of Lord Krishna and put in that condition to save the people from the incessant rain which fell constantly for seven days to destroy the people of Brij. The temple of Har DevaJi in Goverdhan town is 400 Yrs old. I was advised to hire a Palki to climb to the top of the hill ( heart problem) The dense shady trees, the hill ranges and tranquil flow of Mansi Ganga ( artificial lake constructed my Man Singh of Jaipur) all make a charming view, which the visitor can never forget.

It is a life time memory to visit these sacred towns immortalized by legendary Krishna.

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