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INTRODUCTION

Vrindhavan just 15kms away from Mathura is another major place of pilgrimage. It is noted frot its numerous temples both old and modern. The name Vrindhavan evokes the playfulness and lovabble characteristics of Shri Krishna. This is the wood where he frolicked with the gopis and tenderly wooed Radha.

People come from different parts of the country to visit this pilgrimage spot.Vrindhavan got its name from the term 'Vrinda', which mostly denotes a Tulsi plant which can be seen in abundance throughout the city. There is also legend regarding the name of this place which says that the term Vrindavan stands for Vrinda devi, one among the milkmaids.

HISTORY

Vrindavan with lot of ancient history is one of the noted Hindu pilgrimage centre which witnessed the childhood days of Lord Krishna. One of the oldest surviving temple was found here in the year 1590, just a few years before this the city was also brought into being. The city of Vrindhavan was totally gone into cessation of remembrance until the 16th century.

It was only after Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu who came here in 1515 to find the places associated with the childhood days of Lord Krishna. With the instance of seeking this Chaitanya Mahaprabhu traveled to different parts of the forests and with his spiritual power he found out the related places and made them stand in history.

LOCATION

Vrindavan located in the North Indian state of Uttar Pradesh is around 151 km south of Delhi and extends between latitude 27°33C in the North to longitude 77°44C in the East.

BEST SEASON

The ideal time to visit Vrindhavan is during winter between the months of October to mid-March.

FAIRS AND FESTIVALS

Janmashtmi is the celebration of the birth of Lord Krishna. Devotees celebrate it with feasts and dances after the whole day fast. People go to temples, especially of Lord Krishna which are decorated for this day. This is celebrated in the month of August/September, is one of the major festival of Vrindhavan.The other festivals generally celebrated here are Holi,Govardhan Puja, Guru Poornima,Govardhan Puja, Jhulan Yatra (swing festival), Radhashtami, and Basant Panchami.

PLACES OF INTEREST

Madhan Mohan Temple

The Madhan Mohan Temple located near the Khali ghat which was built by Kapur Ram Das of Multan.This is the oldest existent temple in Vrindhavan today. The temple is closely associated with the saint Chaitanya.The original idol of Lord Madan Gopal was shifted from the shrine to Karauli in Rajasthan for safe keeping, during Aurangzeb's rule. Today a replica of the image is worshipped at the temple.

Banke Bihari Temple

The Banke Bihari Temple built in 1864 is the most popular shrine at vrindhavan.The image of Banke-Bihari was discovered in Nidhi Vana by Swami Haridas, the great Krishna devotee, belonging to the Nimbarka sect.

Radha Vallabh Temple

he famous Radha Vallabh Temple set up by the Radha Vallabh sect, has the crown of Radha-rani placed next to the shri Krishna idol in the sanctum.

Jaipur Temple

The Jaipur temple which was built by Swami Mahadev Singh, The Maharaja of Jaipur in 1917, is a richly embellished and opulent temple. The fine hand carved sandstone is of unparalleled workmanshp.The temple is dedicated to Lord Shri Radha Mahadev.

Shahji Temple

The Shahji temple another popular temple at Vrindhavan was designed and built in 1876 by a wealthy jeweler, Shah Kundhan Lal of Lucknow.The deities at the temple are popularly known as the Chhote Radha Raman. Noted for its magnificent architecture and beautiful marble sculpture, the temple has twelve spiral columns each fifteen feet high. The Basanti Kamra - the darbar hall is famed for its Belgian glass chandeliers and fine paintings.

Rangaji Temple

The Rangaji Temple built in 1851, is dedicated to Lord Ranganatha or Rangji depicted as Lord Vishnu in his shesshashayi pose, resting on the coils of the sacred Shesha-nag.The temple built in the Dravidian style has a tall gopuram of six storeys and a gold plated Dhwaja stambha, 50 feet high. The ten days long celebration are marked by the pulling of the rath by the devotees from the temple to the adjoining gardens.

Govind Deo Temple

The Govind Deo Temple was once a magnificent seven storied structure built in the form of a Greek cross. It is said that the emperor Akbar donated some of the red sandstone that had been brought for the Red Fort at Agra, for the construction of this temple. Built at the astronomical cost of one crore rupees in 1590 by his General Man Singh, the temple combines Western, Hindu and Muslim architectural elements in its structure.

Shri Krishna-Balram Temple

The Shri Krishna-Balram Temple built by the International Society for Shri Krishna Consciousness, is one of the most beautiful temples in Vrindhavan today. The principal deities of this temple are Shri Krishna-Balram and Shri Radha Shyam Sundar, adjoining the temple is the Samadhi of Shri Prabhupada, the founder of the ISKCON sect, built in pure white marble.

Seva Kunj

The Seva Kunj is where Lord Krishna once performed the Raaslila with Radha-Rani and the gopis and Nidhi Van where the divine couple rested. The samadhi of Swami Haridas is situated here.

SHOPPING

Travel to a place is not complete without shopping.Vrindavan being a famous pilgrim spots many objects of worship are also sold here. Some of the main items which can be shopped from here are the silver ornaments, textiles, and handicraft products. Apart from this the Loi Bazaar in vrindhavan is famous for antiques, brass items and wooden works.Khadi Bhavan is also an interesting place to shop wide range of Khadi fabrics and dress materials.

GETTING THERE

By Train

Nearest railway station to Vrindavan is in Mathura at a distance of approximately 15 kms by road.Mathura is well connected to other cities such as Delhi, Allabahad and Agra.

By Road

There are a small number of direct buses that ply between Delhi and Vrindavan. However, several buses go to Mathura and the frequency is also good. Every half an hour, you would get a bus to Mathura. So, you can board the Mathura bus, get down at Chatikara Road and then take a motor-rickshaw or a tempo to reach Vrindavan. Private taxis can be hired too from Delhi to reach Vrindavan. Vrindavan is also well connected via road to Haridwar, Agra, Jaipur and other key cities of India.

By Air

Nearest airport to Vrindavan is in Delhi at a distance of approximately 157 kms by road.