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History
Ancient Indian (Bharata) cities and Places (Title and location names are in English.)
Krishna temple in Mathura.
In the 6th century BCE Mathura became the capital of the Surasena mahajanapada.[1] The city was later ruled by the Maurya empire (4th to 2nd centuries BCE) and the Sunga dynasty (2nd century BCE). It may have come under the control of Indo-Greeks some time between 180 BCE and 100 BCE. It then reverted to local rule before being conquered by the Indo-Scythians during the 1st century BCE.
Mathuran art and culture reached its zenith under the Kushan dynasty which had Mathura as one of their capitals, the other being Purushapura (Peshawar). The dynasty had kings with the names of Kujula Kadphises, Kanishka, Huvishka and Vasudeva I.[citation needed]
Megasthenes, writing in the early 3rd century BCE, mentions Mathura as a great city under the name Μέθορα (Méthora).[2]
The Indo-Scythians (aka Sakas or Shakas) conquered the area of Mathura over Indian kings around 60 BCE.[citation needed]
The findings of ancient stone inscriptions in Maghera, a town 17 kilometres (11 mi) from Mathura, provide historical artifacts giving more details on this era of Mathura.[3] The opening of the 3 line text of these inscriptions are in Brahmi script and were translated as: "In the 116th year of the Greek kings..."[4][5]
The Mathura Lion Capital inscriptions attest that Mathura fell under the control of the Sakas. The inscriptions contain references to Kharaosta Kamuio and Aiyasi Kamuia. Yuvaraja Kharostes (Kshatrapa) was the son of Arta, as is attested by his own coins.[6]
Arta is stated to be brother of King Moga or Maues.[7] Princess Aiyasi Kambojaka, also called Kambojika, was the chief queen of Shaka Mahakshatrapa Rajuvula. Kamboja presence in Mathura is also verified from some verses of the epic, the Mahabharata, which are believed to have been composed around this period.[8]
The Indo-Scythian satraps of Mathura are sometimes called the "Northern Satraps", as opposed to the "Western Satraps" ruling in Gujarat and Malwa. After Rajuvula, several successors are known to have ruled as vassals to the Kushans, such as the "Great Satrap" Kharapallana and the "Satrap" Vanaspara, who are known from an inscription discovered in Sarnath, and dated to the 3rd year of Kanishka (c 130 CE), in which they were paying allegiance to the Kushans.[9]
Mathura served as one of the Kushan Empire's two capitals from the first to the third centuries.[citation needed]
Fa Xian mentions the city, as a centre of Buddhism about A.D. 400; while his successor Xuanzang, who visited the city in 634 CE, which he mentions as Mot'ulo, and said that it contained twenty Buddhist monasteries and five Brahmanical temples.[10] Later, he went east to Thanesar, Jalandhar in the eastern Punjab, before climbing up to visit predominantly Theravada monasteries in the Kulu valley and turning southward again to Bairat and then Mathura, on the Yamuna river.[11]
The city was sacked and many of its temples destroyed by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1018 and again by Sikandar Lodhi, who ruled the Sultanate of Delhi from 1489 to 1517.[12][13]
Sikander Lodhi earned the epithet of 'Butt Shikan', the 'Destroyer of Hindu deities'. The Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, built the city's Jami Masjid (Friday mosque) .[citation needed] The noteworthy fact is that the exact place of birth of Krishna,according to historians,is in the place of worship of the Hindus,though the mosque was built near the birthplace of Krishna. The bigger Krishna shrine, better known as Dwarkadeesh temple is a few metres away from what is believed to be the actual birthplace of Krishna, was built in 1815 by Seth Gokuldas Parikh, Treasurer of Gwalior.[citation needed]
Geography
Mathura is located at 27.28°N 77.41°E.[14] It has an average elevation of 174 metres (570 feet).Demographics
2011 census of India estimates the population of Mathura to be 441,894, a decadal growth rate of 22.53 per cent from 2001 census of India. Males account for 54% (268,445) and females for 46% (173,449) of this population. Sex ratio of Mathura is 858 females per 1000 males, which has increased from 840 in 2001. However, national sex ratio is 940. Population density in 2011 has increased from 621 per km2 in 2001 to 761 per km2. Mathura has an average literacy rate of 72.65 per cent which has increased from 61.46 per cent in 2001 but still lower than the national average of 74.04 per cent. Male and female literacy rate are 84.39 and 58.93 per cent respectively. 15.61 per cent of Mathura's population is under 6 years of age. This figure was 19.56 per cent in 2001 census.[15] Mathura has large population of Jat and Yadavs[16] in rural areas and Brahmins & Baniyas in City.[citation needed] The famous cities/villages of Mathura District are as follows.Transportation
Rail
Mathura is well connected by train from major cities in India such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Indore, Alwar, Jaipur, Bhopal, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Ujjain, Rewa, Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi etc. City is served by four stations, Mathura Junction being the biggest one connecting to West, North and Southern India. Mathura Cantt connects to eastern Uttar Pradesh. Bhuteshwar serves for local trains for Delhi, Delhi NCR, Agra, Bharatpur and Alwar. Another station Krishnajanmabhoomi connects to Vrindavan via rail bus.
Train A local train in Mathura.
Road
Mathura is well connected by road to the rest of Uttar Pradesh and India. NH 2 (Delhi-Howrah) Highway passes through the city and connects to National Highway 3 (to Mumbai), a part of which is known as Mathura Road. NH-11 (Agra to Bikaner). SH-33 (Bareilly to Mathura via Badaun ,Ujhani, Kasganj ,Soron, Sikandra Rao, Hathras)NH-93 (Moradabad) are also prominent arterial highways. Yamuna Expressway also connects to Mathura and in fact shortest way to reach Mathura by road.The city is served by Upsrtc, JNNURAM, Rajasthan, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, DTC, Chandigarh and Punjab state transportation bus companies. Mathura depot, run by upsrtc - the Uttar Pradesh state bus company - runs 120 buses. Direct buses are available to Alwar, Agra, Aligarh, Khair, Indore, Bhopal, Gwalior, Jaipur, Udaipur, Ajmer, Delhi, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Kanpur, Meerut, Haridwar, Rohtak and other Indian cities. An intercity JnNURM bus facility also exists.
Air
As of now the city has no airport. The civil aviation minister Ajit Singh suggested Mathura's name for the site of a new greenfield international airport to chief minister of Uttar Pradesh Akhilesh Yadav. Mathura's name came into play when group of ministers terminated the planning of building Taj International Airport at Greater Noida. Land has been marked, and construction is in progress near the Yamuna Expressway, with plans to open in the next five years with regular flights to Delhi, Mumbai, Ujjain and Varanasi and some international routes in future.[citation needed]Tourism
Mathura is a holy city for Hinduism, the world's third-largest religion. There are many places of historic and religious importance in Mathura and its neighbouring towns. The twin-city to Mathura is Vrindavan. As the home of Krishna in his youth, the small town is host to a multitude of temples belonging to various sects of Hinduism proclaiming Krishna in various forms and avatars. Some places of interest are:- Keshav Dev Temple (Shri Krishna Janma Bhoomi)
- Vishram Ghat (Bank of River Yamuna)
- Shri Jagannath Temple Bhuteshwar Mathura
- Prem Mandir, Vrindavan
- Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir, Vrindavan
- Mathura Museum
- Birla Mandir
- Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi
- Naam yog Sadhna Mandir (Baba Jai Gurudev Temple)
- Banke Bihari Temple
- Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi
- Iskcon Temple.
- Baldeo temple
Strategic importance
Mathura is the home for Indian I Corps (Strike Formation)[17][18] within the Indian Army's Central Command, hosting Strike I Corps headquarters in a large classified area in the outskirts of the city known as Mathura Cantonment (Central Command itself has its headquarters at Lucknow). It hosts Strike Infantry units, Air Defence units, Armoured Divisions, Engineer brigades, Aritillery Units and classified units of Strategic Nuclear Command. Corps I is primarily responsible for western borders of India. In 2007 during Exercise Ashwamedha, all the armoured, artillery and infantry divisions performed a simulation of an overall NBC (nuclear-chemical-biological) environment. The aim was to show operational ability in high intensity, short duration and 'sudden' battles.[19]Industries
One of the major contributors in the economy of Uttar Pradesh are Mathura Industries.[citation needed] Mathura Refinery located in the city is one of the biggest oil refineries of Asia with 8.0 MMTPA refining capacity.[20] This oil refinery of the Indian Oil Corporation is a highly technologically advanced oil refinery.[20] Mathura Refinery is the first in Asia and third in the world to receive the coveted ISO-14001 certification for Environment Management System in 1996.[20]Textile printing industry that includes both sari-printing and fabric dyeing and silver ornaments manufacturing are major industrial contributors to the region.[21] Apart from these other industries are water tap manufacturing units and other decorative and household items.[citation needed] Mathura also is a big centre for production of cotton materials;prominent among them being pure white bleached cotton sarees for women and dhotis for men,and cotton niwar tapes for beds. It is also a hub for production of milk based sweet meals,prominent among them being mathura Pedas and burfis. Renowned as the place where rivers of milk flowed, Mathura till today boasts of Milk trading centres where you can buy any amount of fresh milk where rates vary every few minutes and are notified on a black board akin to stock prices.
Politics
In 2014 General Elections Mrs. Hema Malini of BJP became the Member of Parliament from Mathura Constituency. The Mayor of the city is Mrs. Manisha Gupta of BJP.Culture
Temple in Barsana, near Mathura, dedicated to the worship of Radha and Krishna. Being the birthplace of Krishna, Mathura is an important Hindu pilgrimage site.
The Braj culture has been expressed widely through various practices.
Sanjhee is the colourful art of decorating the ground with flowers.
Rasiya is a tradition that is integral to Mathura's culture. It is the tradition of folk-songs that describe the love of the divine couple Radha and Krshnaji. It is an inseparable part of the Holi celebrations and all other festive occasions at Mathura. (Dhulendi – Holi with drums (dholak), colours, etc. originated from Braj region hundreds of millennia before today.)
Raaslilas of Mathura have become an integral part of Indian Folklore. Krshnaji had danced the Raas with gopis on banks of Yamuna river.
Charkula is a traditional folk dance of the Braj. In this dance, a woman balances a column of deepikas on her head and dances to the accompaniment of Rasiya songs by the menfolk.
The language spoken in the Braj mandal is mainly Hindi which is spoken in a different dialect. This dialect is characteristic with the Braj region and known as Brajbhasha. Before Hindi and until past few centuries, Brajbhasha used to be the dominant language in literature.
Mathura is one of the seven most holy places for Hindus in India.
Ayodhyā Mathurā Māyā Kāsi Kāñchī Avantikā IA Kṣetra is a sacred ground, a field of active power, a place where Moksha, final release can be obtained. The Garuda Purana enumerates seven cities as giver of Moksha, They are Ayodhya, Mathura, Māyā, Kāsi, Kāñchī, Avantikā, Puri and Dvārāvatī.[22]
Purī Dvārāvatī chaiva saptaitā moksadāyikāh II - Garuḍa Purāṇa I XVI .14
Media and communications
All India Radio has a local station in Mathura which transmits various programs of mass interest.VRINDAVAN-----
History
Vrindavan has an ancient past, associated with Hindu history, and is an important Hindu pilgrimage site. One of its oldest surviving temples is the Govinda Dev temple, built in 1590, with the town founded earlier in the same century.[3] [4]It is believed that the essence of Vrindavan was lost over time until the 16th century, when it was rediscovered by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. In the year 1515, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu visited Vrindavana, with purpose of locating the lost holy places associated with Lord Sri Krishna's transcendent pastimes. Chaitanya wandered through the different sacred forests of Vrindavana in a spiritual trance of divine love. It was believed that by His divine spiritual power, He was able locate all the important places of Krishna's pastimes in and around Vrindavana.[5]
In the last 250 years, the extensive forests of Vrindavan have been subjected to urbanization, first by local Rajas and in recent decades by apartment developers. The forest cover has been whittled away to only a few remaining spots, and the local wildlife, including peacocks, cows, monkeys and a variety of bird species has been eliminated or are close to it. A few peacocks are left in the city but monkeys and cows can be seen almost everywhere.
Religious heritage
RadhaKrishna Deity Inside Prem Mandir
Madan Mohan Temple
Sevakunja in Vrindavan.
ISKCON Krishna Balaram Temple at Vrindavan
Front view of Prem Mandir.
Main articles: Krishna and Radha Krishna
Vrindavan is considered to be a holy place by all traditions of Hinduism.
The major tradition followed in the area is Vaisnavism, and it is a
center of learning with many Vrindavan Ashrams operating. It is a center
of Krishna worship and the area includes places like Govardhana and Gokul that are associated with Krishna. Many millions of bhaktas or devotees of Radha Krishna
visit these places of pilgrimage every year and participate in a number
of festivals that relate to the scenes from Krishna's life on Earth.[6]According to tradition and recorded evidence, as provided in the Bhagavata Purana aka Srimad Bhagavatam Canto X, Krishna was raised in the cowherding village of Gokul by his foster parents Nanda Maharaj and Yasoda. The Bhagavata Purana describes Krishna's early childhood pastimes in the Vrindavan forest where he, his brother Balarama, and his cowherd friends stole butter, engaged in childhood pranks and fought with demons. Along with these activities, Krishna is also described as meeting and dancing with the local girls of Vrindavan village, especially Radharani, who were known as gopis. These pastimes were the source of inspiration for the famous Sanskrit poem, Gita Govinda, by the Sanskrit poet, Jayadeva (c. 1200 AD).
The most popular temples include:
Madan Mohan Temple located near the Kali Ghat was built by Kapur Ram Das of Multan. This is the oldest temple in Vrindavan. The temple is closely associated with the saint Chaitanya Mahaprabhu . The original image (deity) 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 originsl (deity) is worshipped at the temple.
Garud Govind Temple is located on the turn of NH-2 to Vrindavan in Chhatikara village. This temple is one of the most ancient temples of the Brij and according to purans, main deity was incarnated by great grandson of lord Krishna, shri Bajranabh ji after the order of his Kulguru shri Gargachary. This is also one of the rarest temples of Garud ji, which is famous for 'Kalsarp Anushthan'.
Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir is the world's tallest temple under-construction at Mathura.[7] At cost of
300 crore (US$47 million) it will be one of the most expensively built temple in world by ISKCON.Banke Bihari Temple, built in 1862[8] is the most popular shrine at Vrindavan. The image of Banke-Bihari was discovered in Nidhi Vana by Swami Haridas, the great Krishna devotee, belonging to the Nimbarka sampradaya.
Prem Mandir is the most beautiful and clean, religious and spiritual complex situated on a 54-acre site on the outskirts of Vrindavan, is one of the newest temples dedicated to Divine Love. The temple structure was established by spiritual guru Kripalu Maharaj.[9] The main structure built in marble looks incredibly beautiful and is an educational monument that reflects the true history of Sanatana Dharma. Figures of Shri Krishna and his followers depicting important events surrounding the Lord’s existence cover the main temple.[10]
Radha Vallabh Temple, set up by the Radha-Vallabh sampradaya, through Sri Hith Harivansh Mahaprabhu,[11] has the crown of Radharani placed next to the Shri Krishna image in the sanctum.
Jaipur Temple which was built by Sawai Madho Singh II, the Maharaja of Jaipur in 1917, is a richly embellished and opulent temple. The fine hand-carved sandstone is of unparalleled workmanship. The temple is dedicated to Shri Radha–Madhava.
Sri Radha Raman Mandir, constructed at the request of Gopala Bhatta Goswami around 1542 is one of the most exquisitely crafted and revered temples of Vrindavan, especially by the Goswamis. It still houses the original saligram deity of Krishna as Radha Ramana, alongside Radharani.[12]
Shahji Temple, another popular temple at Vrindavan, was designed and built in 1876 by a wealthy jeweller, Shah Kundan Lal of Lucknow. The deities (images) 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 15 feet high. The 'Basanti Kamra' – the darbar hall is famed for its Belgian glass chandeliers and fine paintings.
Rangaji Temple, built in 1851 is dedicated to Lord Ranganatha or Rangaji depicted as Lord Vishnu in his sheshashayi pose, resting on the coils of the sacred Sesha Naga. The temple built in the Dravidian style (as a replica of Srivilliputhur) has a tall gopuram (gateway), of six storeys and a gold-plated Dhwaja stambha, 50 feet high. A water tank and a picturesque garden lie within the temple enclosure. The annual festival of Jal Vihar of the presiding deity is performed with great pomp and splendour at the tank. The temple is also famous for its 'Brahmotsdav' celebration in March–April, more popularly known as the 'Rath ka Mela'. The ten-day-long celebrations are marked by the pulling of the rath (the chariot car) by the devotees from the temple to the adjoining gardens. The prayers within the temple are performed, following in the style of Andal, one of the twelve Vaishnava Saints of South India.
Govind Dev (Govindaji) Temple was once a magnificent seven storeyed 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 Raja Man Singh, the temple combines western, Hindu and Muslim architectural elements in its structure. It was destroyed by Mughal ruler Aurangzeb.
Sri Krishna-Balarama Temple built by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in a location known as 'Raman-Reti', is one of the most beautiful temples in Vrindavan today. The principal deities of this temple are Krishna and Balaram, with Radha–Shyamasundar and Gaura-Nitai alongside. Adjoining the temple is the samadhi of A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of ISKCON, built in pure white marble.
Radha Damodar Mandir Located at Seva Kunj, the Mandir was established in 1542 by Srila Jiva Goswami. The deities Sri Sri Radha–Damodar are here. The bhajan kutir of A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada is also situated at the Mandir.
Shri Maa Katyayani Mandir, the temple is situated in Radha Bagh, near Rangnath mandir. This is one of suddh Shakti Peetha of Shakti.
Chintaharan Hanuman Mandir, temple of Lord Hanuman is situated near Atalvan.
Shree Radha Ras Bihari Ashta Sakhi Temple: In Vrindavan, the "Lila Sthan" (the place of the divine passion play) of Lord Krishna, lies the temple that is a must visit destination for devotees completing the 84 kosh Vraj Parikrama Yatra. The temple is centuries old and is the first Indian temple that is dedicated to the divine couple and their Ashta Sakhi’s - the eight "companions" of Radha who were intimately involved in her love play with the Lord Krishna. The Ashta Sakhis are mentioned in the ancient texts of Puranas and the Bhagavata Purana. The temple is called Shree Radha Ras Bihari Ashta Sakhi Mandir and it is home to the divine Rasa Lila of Lord Krishna and Radharani. It is located in close proximity to the Shri Banke Behari Mandir. Legend has it that the Shree Radha Rasa Behari Ashta Sakhi Mandir is one of the two places in Mathura, Vrindavan where the Lord Krishna actually indulges in the Rasa Lila with his beloved Radha and her sakhis. On these nights, devotees have reported hearing the sound of the anklets, beating in tune to a divine melody.
Kathia Baba Ka Sthan at Gurukul Road, the mahanta of which is entitled as "brajobidehi mahanta" and the acharya of Swabhuram Dwara of Nimbarka sect, Sri Swami Rash Behari Das Kathia Babaji Maharaj.
Sri Sri Radha Govinda Temple[13] - was built by Mahamandaleshwar Mahant Sri Krsna Balaram Swamiji from Vrindavan. This newly constructed Radha Govinda Temple, completed in 2004 is based on a famous historic temple built about 500 years ago by Srila Rupa Goswami, a direct Sanyasi disciple of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
Sri Vrindavan-Chandra Mandir (HKM Vrindavan), located some ninety miles southeast of Delhi, is a replica of that supreme Goloka Vrindavana in the spiritual sky. It was inaugurated in 2006 on the most auspicious day of Sri Rama Navami day. The temple is housed in an ultra-modern geodesic structure with a traditional gopuram based on khajuraho style of architecture, greeting pilgrims at the entrance. The major festivals of the temple are Sri Krishna Janmashtami, Sri Radhashtami, Kartik Fest (7-day festival during Govardhan Puja time) and Gaura Purnima. Grand abhishekas are performed for Sri Sri Radha Vrindavan-chandra during festivals such as Radhashtami and Janmashtami.
Other sacred sites
Kusuma Sarovar bathing ghat, in the Goverdhan area
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, the guru of Tansen, is situated here. Every year, in his honour, Swami Haridas Sammelan is organized, in which all renowned musicians of India take part. After hundreds of year a historic effort to restore the ancient Seva Kunj is being carried out by The Braj Foundation, a NGO committed for the all-round development of Braj.
The Bhuteshwar Mahadev Temple as a Shakti Peeth
Main articles: Daksha Yaga and Shakti Peethas
Shiva carrying the corpse of Sati Devi
Geography
Vrindavan is located at 27.58°N 77.7°E.[18] It has an average elevation of 170 metres (557 feet).Demographics
As of 2001 India census,[19] Vrindavan had a population of 56,618. Males constitute 56% of the population and females 44%. Vrindavan has an average literacy rate of 65%, higher than the national average of 59.5- male literacy is 73%, and female literacy is 55%. In Vrindavan, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age. The number of females is 24,200 including 13% who are under 6 years of age.
Maitri India www.maitriindia.org, a humanitarian NGO based in Delhi presently works with more than 500 widow mothers in shelter homes in Vrindavan.The widow mothers benefiting from this project receive a free daily midday meal to form a healthy and nourishing diet. Supplements are also provided to address the specific geriatric needs of widows. Widow mothers are also provided and facilitated with basic and specialized healthcare during regular multi-specialty health camps conducted through Maitri’s network of partners. Maitri facilitates cataract surgeries, cancer treatment and other care for serious diseases that require medical attention or hospitalization. Further more, Maitri works to ensure that the widows receive benefits from the government schemes such as pension of Rs. 300 per month, Swadhar Yojana under which they receive Rs 550 per month from the government for food, Aadhaar cards (Social Security number and card), Below Poverty Line ration cards etc. These cards and enrollment allow the widow mothers to access various government benefits including subsidized medical insurance, medical treatment, and rations.[23]
List of schools
Sanskrit Chhatravas (By Swami Banbari Lal Gaur ji)Vedic Shiksha: A effort for the welfare of human being
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Shemford Futuristic Schools - Vrindavan
Parmeshwari Devi Dhanuka Saraswati Vidya Mandir
Vrindavan VidhyaPeeth Inter College
Porter Burchard Methodist English Medium School
Industry
Recently Vrindavan is becoming a major source of earnings for real estate companies. People from Delhi are purchasing houses in Vrindavan for its relative peace and quiet, and to live in a Holy place.[citation needed] As a result of this demand, many notable real estate and property development companies have launched many new housing projects in Vrindavan. This housing industry has caused major traffic congestion, noise pollution and wild life devastation.See also
Top things to do in Mathura--------
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#12 of 34 things to do in Mathura
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RADA KUND PHOTOS----
Radha Kund Photos # 1
Here are some of my photos of
Radha Kund. (These have been reduced in size from large files to smaller ones,
easier to download on the web.) To find out more about Radha Kund and the
stories about it, you can read this article:
Radha Kund: The Holy Place
of Srimati Radharani.
As we approach the
holy place of Radha Kund and see it for the first time, everyone offers
obeisances.
Another view of Radha Kund from the southeast corner.
A view of the sangam, or meeting place of Radha Kund
and Shyama Kund (on the far side), where many people come to take their holy
bath. At the early morning is a wonderful time to come and meditate on the
pastimes that took place here between Sri Krishna and Srimati Radharani, and do
japa meditation.
Another view of the sangam area, the meeting place
between the Radha Kund on the right, and Shyama Kund on the left. Later in the
day, many people start appearing to take advantage of the holy atmosphere and
bathe in the sacred waters.
Another view of the sangam with Radha Kund on the left
and Shyama Kund on the right.
This is Shyama Kund, which has an odd shape, similar to Sri
Krishna's footprint, since He made it by first digging His heal in the soil.
This is the back side of the Gopinatha Mandir with Ma Jahnavis
sitting place behind the blue fence. Jahnavi was the wife of
Lord Nityananda. She
resided here at Radha Kund and a sitting and bathing place was built especially
for Her. Many of the residents in the area include a circumambulation of this
sacred spot in their parikrama (foot journey) around the Kunds.
A closer view of the pilgrims and devotees who come to take
their holy bath at Radha Kund behind the Gopinatha Mandir.
The deities at the Gopal Manipur Mandir. One of the many
temples in the area.
Deities of Sri Sri Radha and Krishna as Radha-Kunjabihari,
with Lord Caitanya on the left. These are at the Gaudiya Math Mandir.
The interior of the Gopintha Mandir.
In the back of the Gopinatha mandir is the samadhi tomb
of Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, one of many holy places connected with the
Gosvamis or spiritually advanced souls who had spent time here.
The interior of the new Radha Damodar temple, which is in the
rear, and the door closest to us is the Bhajan Kutir of Srila Jiva Gosvami.
The sitting place where Lord Caitanya had spent time here
chanting the holy names.
A tile with the print of Lord Caitanya holding a deity of Lord
Krishna, with Their Lordships Jagannatha, Balarama and Lady Subhadra in the
background, in the setting of Jagannatha Puri as indicated by the temple in the
far background.
mathura is nice place for holiday
BY ---
ADITYA DWIVEDI
