Vrindavan Guide :-- Holy Place | Places to visit in Mathura Vrindavan

Holy places in Vrindavan that would stimulate your spiritual appetite

 

Vrindavan is a historic little holy village that bristles with a mix of fascinating stories and interesting lilas performed by Lord Krishna in his childhood and youth. There are many places to visit in Vrindavan and every year lakhs of followers from the Vaishnava sect visit this town, and its sibling town Mathura also. To experience the town in its most buoyant mood, plan a trip around the festivals of Janmashtami, Radhashtami or Holi which are celebrated with great pomp and gaiety and draw unexceptionally huge crowds from all around the world. The name Vrindavan comes from the word ‘Vrinda’, one of the many names of the sacred tulsi (basil) plant, considered to be one of the purest devotees of Krishna. Even today, the forested area of Nidhivan carries the essence of this sacred name in its lush green foliage. Standing on the banks of River Yamuna, the pilgrimage town today is home to hundreds of temples and ashrams, both ancient and new, bringing alive and glorifying the playful pastimes of Lord Krishna in their own distinctive ways. In the wake of a multitude of holy temples spread all around, to filter the best that will gratify your spiritual appetite can then come across as quite a daunting task. To help figure things out, here’s my decisive Vrindavan guide that lists the top 10 holy places I would recommend for your satisfying spiritual pilgrimage: 

MADAN MOHAN TEMPLE

• ADDRESS:Bankebihari Colony, Vrindavan 281121

Photo by:  Atarax42, Creative Commons Attribution Licence

Ever wondered which temple has the characteristic distinction of being the oldest in the temple town of Vrindavan? This is it―Madan Mohan Temple, located near the Kali Ghat and overlooking the burbling Yamuna River. It is not just a holy place of reverence but a historically important edifice that transcends you back to the 15th century to the times when the reverential saint Sanatan Goswami had initially enshrined the much-loved deity of Madan Mohan or The God of Love at the same place.

Poised on a hillock, what remains of the temple today is a rebuilt version of the original temple that was invaded and destroyed by the Mughul Emperor Aurangzeb. To protect from the invasions, the original deity was relocated to Karoli, located to the south-east of Jaipur in Rajasthan, in the 16th century leaving a mere replica that continues to be worshipped in the temple till date. Among one of the most striking features of the temple is the red colored structure of the temple, jutting almost 60 foot upwards towards the sky and clearly visible as you approach the temple from a distance. The amazing views from the hillock add yet another dimension to the beauty of the temple―perpetuating enough reason to mark this temple as a must-visit on your Vrindavan trip.

SRI RANGANATHA (RANGAJI) TEMPLE

ADDRESS:Keshi Ghat, Vrindavan 281121

Photo courtesy: Arti Sha

Sri Ranganatha or Rangaji Temple is one of the largest temples in not only Vrindavan but the entire region of north India. Dedicated to Lord Krishna as the divine and benevolent Lord Ranganatha, the temple is gigantic in configuration with the outer fortification wall rising up to 773 ft in height and 440 in breadth. Built in traditional Dravidian south Indian style architecture, the main temple courtyard is sprawled around a peaceful and well-maintained garden and a quiet water tank. The tall beautifully ornamented Gopuram leads to the elevated main temple hall where deities of Lord Rangaji in black stone along with other Lords Rama, Laxmana and Goddess Sita can be worshipped. The walls of the temple evoke nostalgia with colorful paintings narrating the story of the temple. From the temple room, you can catch the view of the 50 ft high gold plated pillar called Dhwaja Sthamba, which further accentuates the grandiose of the temple.

The temple premises, though huge, can be easily explored on your own―so it’s advisable to ignore the guides lurking around in the premises. If festivals are your kind of thing and crowds don’t bother you―try visiting the temple around the Hindu month of Chaitra (March-April) during the merry dance and song festival of Brahmotsav―and join the Lord as his rath (carriage) takes Him out for a tour from his temple house to the adjoining pavilion.

  

 BANKE BIHARI TEMPLE

• ADDRESS:143, Brahm Ganga Kunj, Bihari Pura Vrindavan 281121

Photo courtesy: Arti Shah

One of the most revered and notable shrines of Vrindavan is the Banke Bihari Temple dedicated to the Supreme Lord Krishna―bent (Banke) in three places. This particular characteristic makes the worshipping black deity in the temple particularly interesting that depicts the Lord in the Tribhanga posture. Founded by Swami Haridas in the mid-eighteenth century, the temple is architecturally resplendent in contemporary Rajasthani style archways and intricate detailing that accentuates the regal aura of the divine atmosphere. The temple experiences huge crowds most of the times during the days, but that should never be a deterrent to visiting this beautiful temple. The crowds only increase the spiritual vibe ensuring that the mood of the temple is always celebratory.

Spend a few quiet moments with yourself in the temple premises and feel the charismatic radiance of the Lord who appears as the Divine Couple of ‘Shyama-Shyam’ to bless the sincere seeker and the pure hearted. Let the melodious bhajans and holy chants of Radhe Radhe rendered in the Lords glorious service transcend you to a surreal world. Try visiting the temple during one of the many prayer or service times during the day―the seasonal decorations and ornamentations of Lord Krishna is undoubtedly one of the striking aspects of the darshan.

RADHARAMANA TEMPLE

• ADDRESS:Chamunda Colony, Rajpur Bangar Vrindavan 281121

Photo courtesy: Arti Shah

Located close to Nidhivan and Loi Bazaar is the ancient and sacred Radha Raman Temple celebrating Lord Krishna in the appearance of the ‘One who gives pleasure to Radha’. A narrow alley leads you to the main gateway of the temple which is exquisitely crafted in Mughul architecture. Before you enter the temple, here’s a word of caution: watch out for the monkeys. There are lots of them around the temple, so secure your stuff well away from their mischievous eyes.

Inside the temple courtyard is the Samadhi room of Gopal Bhatta Goswami, the 15th century ardent devotee and saint who had first recognised his beloved Master Radha Raman in Shaligram form. The temple came to be built much later by Shah Behari Lall in 1826 and till date enshrines the self-manifested mesmeric deity of Lord Radha Raman in black stone. Besides the alluring beauty, what makes the deity even more fascinating is the fact that it is one of the few original idols left in Vrindavan. Most of the others are replicas as the original ones had to be moved to Jaipur as a safeguard against the invasive carnage caused by the Mughul Emperor Aurangzeb. A special festive event to watch out for is the full moon night in the Hindu calendar month of Vaishaka (April-May) when Panchamrita Abhisheka is performed for the deity in an elaborate manner.

KRISHNA BALARAM ISKCON TEMPLE

• ADDRESS:ISKCON Vrindavan, Bhaktivedanta Swami Marg, Raman, Reti, Vrindavan 281121

SHAHJI TEMPLE

• ADDRESS:Gotam Nagar, Vrindavan 281121

SHREE GOPESVARA MAHADEVA MANDIR

• ADDRESS:Mandi Ramdas Road, Ratankund, Mathura 281001

Photo courtesy: Arti Shah

Shree Gopesvara Mahadeva Mandir is a Shiva temple one finds in the midst of a plethora of Krishna temples scattered all around in the holy town of Vrindavan. One of the oldest living temples in the town, the temple pays a tribute to the great Lord Shiva who had come to Vrindavanto see the Gopis engaged with Lord Krishna in their loving act of rasalila (divine musical dance). However, he was denied entry since Vrindavan would allow herself to be home to only one male―Lord Krishna and no one else. Firm and deeply devoted, Lord Shiva pleaded for benevolence and was consequently blessed by Sri Vrinda Devi to take the form of a charming Gopi. In the Gopi avatar, Shiva could now attend the rasalila along with his beloved Lord Krishna who later christened Him with the beautiful name of Gopeshwara, the same name that continues to be revered till date. The temple is simple in built devoid of any fancy ornamentations and houses the deity of Shiva as a Shiv Linga that was initially installed by Vajranabha. Decorated finely with flowers, fruits and clothes, the Shiv-lingam is a spring of great joy to all those who come to seek the benign blessings of the beautiful Lord Shiva incarnated in Vrindavan.

NIDHIVAN

• ADDRESS:Gopinath Bagh, Vrindavan 281121

Photo courtesy: Arti Shah

A thick forested area comprising of intertwined trees and thorny bushes, Nidhivan (also known as Madhuvan) is one of the prime highlights of Vrindavan. It is a very sacred spot, believed to be the same venue for the famed rasalila, the meeting place where Lord Krishna danced with his eternal consort Radha and other beautiful Gopis. It is also the spot where innumerable saints including mystic saint and divinely gifted poet Swami Haridas have spent their entire lives in meditation, bhajan, penance and prayer. Nidhivan is an intriguing place for all the pilgrims visiting Vrindavanand should not be missed under any circumstance. Passing through the intertwined canopy of trees is a humbling reminder of the spiritual presence of gopis, believed to breathe life at night every day. To honor their solitude, Nidhivan is locked up at night even today. Anyone who remains inside the precincts after the evening prayers becomes deaf, dumb or psychologically unbalanced. Even the monkeys leave the temple at the fall of dusk.

Nidhivan has many sanctified precincts inside the campus―so reserve an hour or two for exploring the area comprehensively. Places to look out for are the Samadhi temple of Swami Haridasa, the Radha Rani temple, the sacred well, the appearance place of Lord Bankey Bihari among others.

PREM MANDIR

• ADDRESS:Raman Reti Road, Vrindavan 281121