India is a place full of immense diversity in itself. Religion in particular, has a stronghold in the mentality of people all over the country. While worshipping gods is mandatory for almost everyone, aligning thoughts and actions according to religious beliefs is also very common. Since, religion plays an important part in this country, it is no surprise that there are many cities that are devoted to fulfilling the religious desires of people all over the country.
One such famous area is known as Braj or Brajbhoomi. It comprises of many cities like Mathura, Vrindavan, Gokul dham and so on. Out of all the places within Braj, the most popular and visited ones are Mathura and Vrindavan which are located in close proximity to each other.
Mathura: Located 145 kilometres from Delhi, Mathura is a jumble of never ending lanes filled with the dedication and love for Lord Krishna in every people’s heart. Known as the birthplace of Lord Krishna, it has many sites of religious and historical significance. The city is dotted with magnificent temples, most of them dedicated to Lord Krishna’s life, taking the devotees back to the divine era.
Places which I visited:
Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi: This is believed to be the exact location where Lord Krishna was born. It houses the prison in which he came into this world. The prison is said to be 5,500 years old and it is said that 500 years ago Aurangzeb made a mosque besides that prison at the backside and literally for me it was a sight to behold as when in today’s time people are fighting in the name of religion, that mosque which is attached to the temple gives an example that how beautiful is to live in a world when everything is in harmony. Apart from the prison, this site also has a magnificent temple which has beautiful idols of Lord Krishna and Radha and it is that temple from where the Janmasthami celebrations are live telecasted.
Note: As it is the most visited place, there are long queues and be prepared to get stuck in one of those exhausting queues, especially for women and girls as they have long queues than men and boys and I also got stuck in that queue and it can be really exhausting as women can become violent by pushing you all over the queue.
Gokul Dham: This is the place where Lord Krishna spent his entire childhood and this place is filled with all the lanes through which Lord in his childhood days used to play and steal butter from others houses. There is also this Nand Mahal which is the place where Lord lived with Nand and Yashoda maiyya and just beside that Nand Mahal is the place where Lord Krishna killed Pootna- the demoness and the sister of Kansa, who came to murder Krishna.
Note: Beware of the cheating pandits as in the name of God and beliefs they’ll thug money from you which is very ridiculous because it’s a matter of faith and it’s our choice that whether we want to give money at the temple or not or how much money we want to give. If possible try to visit this place on your own as the guide there can also cheat you in the god’s name.
Vrindavan: A twin city of Mathura, Vrindavan lies merely 10 kilometres from it. It is believed that Lord Krishna during his young days used to live here and have done ras leela with the gopis and Radha here. But in Vrindavan everyone praises Radha before Krishna by saying Radhe Radhe every time you enter a temple.
Pagal Baba temple: This temple is unique because of its name as well as its structure. The temple has eleven storeyed building of white marble. It presents a beautiful view of the city of Vrindavan from its topmost floor. Its popular for its puppet exhibition depicting the incidents from Hindu epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana. The temple was built by Saint named Pagal baba( Shri Shri Sheela Nand ji Maharaj) by his followers. There’ s an interesting thing which you will find on the walls of this temple. Since it is said that all your wishes will come true here in this temple, and I don’t know how the people have interpreted this thing that they have written their wishes on the walls of the temple. All over on the walls of the temple you can find unique and funny wishes written. One wish written over there was so vulgar that I cannot even write that over here. I mean I don’t know how people can act so foolishly in the name of religion and God.
Iskcon temple: The Shri shri Krishna Balram mandir, situated in the Raman reti area of Vrindavan, holds a special significance for devotees of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). This temple is acknowledged for being the first temple constructed by the ISKCON. Built in 1975 by the ISKCON cult, the foundation of the shrine was laid by Swami Prabhupada ( founder of ISKCON himself). Visitors to the temple first pass under the brilliant white marble archway of Shri Prabhudas samadhi and then the architectural wonder of winding peacock stairways that lead you to a hall where 108 lotus motifs are made on the floor and uou have to walk on that lotus by saying: ” HARE RAM HARE RAM, RAM RAM HARE HARE; HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA, KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE” . After this you can go to the main temple where you will be transported to the spiritual world by seeing the beautiful idols of Lord there and the devotion and love in people for their God. The music of the kartals, mrindangam and sweet harmonium of the 24 hour kirtaneers enters the heart, and everyone, including young and old, spontaneously raise their arms and dance in ecstasy. There I felt that if you have love for someone in your heart then you are so happy and overjoyed that you forget all the pain in the world and just dance on the tunes of happiness.
Banke Bihari temple: One of the most renowned temples all over the world is the Banke Bihari temple. The reason for this is the idol of Lord Krishna. The eyes of the idol are said to be too powerful for long periods of viewing. There is a huge line to seek the Lord’s blessings here, as this is believed to be one of the most powerful and wish fulfilling temple. The Holi of this temple is very famous and yes Beware of the monkeys there as they can take your spectacles and your food items, even your mobile phones. Do try the Lassi and Kachoris in the lanes of this temple.
Prem Mandir: This temple is dedicated to God’s love and was built by the fifth Jagadguru, Kripalu Maharaj, in the year 2012. The main deity residing in this temple are Lord Radha Krishna and Lord Site Ram. Built from white marble with beautiful carvings, temple has beautiful statues of Lord Krishna showing Lord’s different events of life. You can visit this temple to se its lighting in the evening when the temple looks out of this world creation. The intricate carvings and beautiful depictions of Lord’ life done on the outer side of the temple is just spell bounding.
Note: Before going to any temple in Mathura and Vrindavan do check the timings of the temple.
A Rendezvous with life 