Vrindhavan - Brijbhoomi to Dwaraka

RadheShyam – The tradition prevails – As per Mythology though Krishna was born in Madhura, he was brought up in Vrindhavan, where his father took him, the night he was born. This Brijbhoomi is 11 kms from Madhura and will mesmerize you with its temples and prayers and is now in the state of Utter Pradesh. After Killing his uncle Kans, when grown up he went to Dwaraka which is now in Gujarat.

In Sept. 2016 visited Vrindavan, also spelled Brindavan, the holy town in Uttar Pradesh. The name 'Vrindavan' is a derivative of the term 'Vrinda', which is akin to Tulsi plant that grows profusely through out the length and breadth of the city. Legend says that the entire surroundings were a tulsi coppice at one time. Some others believe that the term Vrindavan stands for Vrinda devi, one among the milkmaids. It is located on the original forest of where the Hindu deity Krishna spent his childhood, on the banks of the Yamuna river. It is a major pilgrimage destination for Hindus, and features by some counts as many as 5000 temples. Entry into all temples is free, but have some coins handy for the shoe handlers.



· Bihariji, . The best-known temple in Vrindavan, home to a Krishna idol known as Thakur-ji. The idol's eyes are said to be so powerful that it is kept hidden from view behind a curtain, which is opened and closed every few minutes.

· Mandir Sri Dham Goda Vihar, There are about 200 idols in the temple. As the prime centre of Hindu Sanatan Culture, the temple is a perfect reflection of devotion and faith. Visiting this divine temple is like exploring the complete Hindu chronology of faith.

· Govinda Dev Mandir. Built by Raja Sawai Man Singh of Jaipur in 1590, this squat, bulky temple reportedly had four stories lopped off during Aurangzeb's reign of terror. These days it's just infested by monkeys.

· Jaigurudeo Temple, . Also named "Naam Yog Sadhna Mandir". It resembles the Tajmahal, built with white marble. It is a unique temple in that you are prohibited from donating if you are a non-vegeterian.

· Krishna Balaram Mandir, better known as the ISKCON Temple, . A major draw for Hare Krishna (ISKCON) pilgrims to India, and uniquely among Vrindavan's temples well equipped to deal with foreign visitors. Free breakfast and lunch are available. Great restaurant. Comfortable guesthouse on the Temple grounds.

· Kesi Ghat, by the Yamuna. According to the legend, this is where Krishna killed the demon Kesi and then bathed to celebrate. Aarti (prayer lamps) are offered to the Yamuna here every evening.

· Seva Kunj. Planted with countless tulsi (holy basil) trees, this is the garden where gopis dance for Krishna at night, and where Krishna and his lover Radha spend the night locked in the Moti Mahal.

· Rangji Mandir, . The single largest temple in Vrindavan, built in 1851 in a South Indian style, complete with intricate seven-story gopuram(gateway) at the entrance. Inside is a 50-ft high wooden chariot, taken out yearly for festivals, and in the inner courtyard is the 50-ft high gold-plated pillar known as Dhwaja Stambha.

· Radhavallabh Mandir, .A very wellknown ancient temple of Vrindavan, founded by Shri Hith Harivansh Mahaprabhu, Sri Radhavallabh Lal's idol resemble Sri Radha and Sri Krishna to be embodied in it together- "One soul and two bodies".

· Radharaman Mandir In Seva Kunj, see the Deity of Radharaman that self-manifested from a Shalagrama Shila (sacred stone).


Vrindavan is also known as the Shelter City for Widows. By Hindu tradition, widows may not remarry, and many make their way here, having either abandoned their families or been abandoned by them on the death of their husbands. In Vrindavan they are given meals and a little money (around Rs.10-20) in exchange for singing bhajans (hymns) for 7-8 hours in bhajanashrams. Some of the trusts that operate the ashrams are regularly accused of skimming off vast amounts from donations. There are an estimated 20,000 widows, some of whom are very old having spent over 30 years there, while others have not even reached their teens.



Vrindavan is absolutely infested with monkeys, who are adept at stealing anything you're not keeping a close eye on. Wear contacts or go without if you can.


March 2017

Could Visit Dwaraka.

Dvārakā, also known as Dvāravatī is a sacred historic city in Hinduism, Jainismand Buddhism. ... Pandu's sons lived in Dwaraka during their exile to woods.

The ancient Dwarkadhish Temple has an elaborately tiered main shrine, a carved entrance and a black-marble idol of Lord Krishna. the 'Lord of Dwarka', also known as the Jagat Mandir or temple of the world. This temple is dedicated to the Lord Krishna and was constructed over 1400 years ago. This temple has a 5 floors supported by 60 columns.

Dwarka Beach and nearby Dwarka Lighthouse offer views of the Arabian Sea. Dwaraka is located on the extreme western end of Kathiawar peninsula, where the River Gomti meets the Arabian Sea.

Southeast, Gaga Wildlife Sanctuary protects migratory birds and endangered species like the Indian wolf.

Besides the Dwarkadhish temple, there is a popular temple dedicated to Rukmini, the Lord Krishna's wife, who is also considered as an incarnation of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and beauty. There are various other temples which are dedicated to Mirabai and Narsinh Mehta and Shank Narayan. There is also a temple which is dedicated to the Matsyavatar, the incarnation of Vishnu as a fish.


A pilgrimage to Dwaraka is not complete until a visit has been made to the Beyt Dwaraka. It is a Hindu temple on the island off the coast.

Legend: After Sri Krishna left for His abode and the major Yadava heads were killed in fights among themselves, Dwaraka became submerged in the sea. This is the account given by Arjuna in the Mahabharata: ... The events start near the city of Dwarka 35 years after the end of Kurukshetra war.


Okha is a small port at the head of the Gulf of Kutch and is about 30 kms north of Dwaraka. The island nearby is connected with the legend of Vishnu slaying the demon.

We could also visit:

Somnath Temple

Located in the state of Gujarat in India, the famous Somnath Temple is a very sacred Hindu pilgrimage site. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is considered to be first and one of the twelve "Jyotirlingas" (lighted lingas), which is a symbol of Lord Shiva. The temple of Somnath has existed since times immemorial and it is also mentioned in the oldest holy scriptures, Rig Veda

The principal temple of Somnath is believed to have been built in gold by the moon god Soma, in silver by the sun god Ravi, in wood by Krishna and in stone by the Solanki Rajputs in the 11th century. The present temple, built in 1951, is the seventh reconstruction on the original site. Tales of its riches attracted a series of invasions, but each time the temple was invaded, it was restored to its original glory by devout Hindu worshipers. Commanding a breathtaking view from the tip of the Saurashtra peninsula, kissed by the waves of the Arabian coast, the temple has been constructed in the Chalukyan style with a shikhara nearly 50 m tall. The temple's imposing architecture includes intricate carvings, silver doors, an impressive Nandi idol and the central shivalinga. In the vast courtyard stand the massive mandapa (hall), as well as the main shrine, whose gently curved pyramidal forms tower over the whole complex.

Through a side door the sea is visible shimmering in the sunlight. Try slipping out to gaze at the roaring waves below, which though not safe for swimming, present an exhilarating spectacle. In view, you will find a tower called Deep Stambha erected on the embankment. On the top is a shape like a conch shell on its side, and in the tower is an arrow pointing directly to the south pole (interestingly, a line between here and the south pole crosses no land until Antarctica.) The architecture of the present temple reflects the Chalukya style of construction. The intricate and flawless carvings speak volumes about the skilled artisans of Gujarat. An inscription on the Arrow Pillar on the sea protection wall states that there is no piece of land between the point where the temple stands and Antarctica.

Other spots in the temple are Shri Kapardi Vinayak and Shri Hanuman Temple in addition to Vallabhghat. Vallabhghat is a beautiful sunset point. The temple is illuminated every evening. Similarly, the Sound & Light Show “Jay Somnath” is also displayed every night during 8.00 to 9.00, which allows the pilgrims an ethereal experience in the backdrop of grand Somnath temple and the holy wave sounds of the Ocean.

Ahalyabai temple is also close by, which was built by the queen mother Shri Ahalyabai Holker during 1782. This temple maintained the Pooja Parampara of Bhagvan Shiva during the hostile political conditions.



AKSHARDHAM

'Akshardham' literally means the divine abode of God. It is an eternal place for one to offer devotion and experience everlasting peace. Swaminarayan Akshardham at Gandhinagar is a mandir – a Hindu house of worship, a dwelling place for God, and a spiritual and cultural campus dedicated to devotion, education and unification. Timeless devotional messages and vibrant Hindu traditions are echoed in its art and architecture. The mandir is a humble tribute to Bhagwan Swaminarayan (1781- 1830) and the avatars, devas and sages of Hinduism. This traditionally-styled complex was inaugurated on October 30th, 1992 with the blessings of HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj and through the devoted efforts of skilled artisans and volunteers.

Also visited Ahmedabad while returning.