The sacred village of Vrindavan, near Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, is a cherished and revered town always reverberating with stories of Lord Krishna. The town gives the ‘feel and vibes’ of Krishna’s playful interactions with Gopis and his famous Ras Leela Dance.
Famous for Ras Leela
Ras Leela is a traditional dance and a dramatic enactment that depicts the love story of Krishna and the Gopis of Vrindavan.
As per Hindu mythology, it narrates the night when Krishna plays his flute and calls gopis to the forest to dance with him under the moonlight. Rooted in spirituality, this dance symbolizes love between the individual soul and the divine.
Sacred Town of Vrindavan
The town of Vrindavan is one of the major pilgrimage destinations for the followers of Vaishnavism in India. It is home to around 5,500 temples, dedicated to Lord Krishna and his beloved Radha. Some of the most notable temples include the ISKON temple, Banke Bihari temple, Prem Mandir, etc.
Here festivals like Janmashtami (Krishna’s birthday) and Holi are celebrated with great enthusiasm, attracting thousands of devotees from different corners of the world.
A blend of history, mythology, and spirituality
Located on the banks of the Yamuna River, the town of Vrindavan is covered with lush green forests, associated with the divine play of Krishna. The name ‘Vrindavan is derived from Vrinda—a name of the holy Tulsi plant—and Van—indicating forest.
The town is a great center for various spiritual practices, including Bhakti Yoga, Kirtan meditation, and many more, seeking deeper connection with Krishna. It is a blend of history, mythology, and spirituality, which makes it a unique and revered destination for millions of devotees.
Here are five most famous temples in Vrindavan, sharing unique historical and spiritual significance:
Banke Bihari Temple
The Banke Bihari Temple is one of the most revered temples in the Vrindavan town, dedicated to Lord Krishna in his child avatar, known as Banke Bihari. The temple is known for its unique idol of Krishna and the lively atmosphere during the aartis.
The name “Banke” means bent in three places, and Bihari means enjoyer. This refers to Lord Krishna’s pose, where he stands with his body bent in three places, playing his flute.
The temple has a great history behind it, which begins with Swami Haridas, a great devotee of Radha Krishna. He lived in the town of Vrindavan and spent his life in devotion and meditation. One day, when Haridas was humming devotional songs in the forest of Nidhivan, Radha-Krishna appeared before him. Moved by his devotion, they merged into a single form, which is now worshipped as Banke Bihari.
Prem Mandir
Also referred to as ‘The Temple of Divine Love’, the Prem Mandir is a grand temple dedicated to Radha-Krishna and Sita-Ram. It was established by Jagadguru Shri Kripaluji Maharaj and is recognized for its beautiful architecture and intricate cravings. It was opened to the public eye in February 2012. The temple stands 125 feet high, 190 feet long, and 128 feet wide, making it a grand architectural masterpiece of Vrindavan.
ISKON Temple
The ISKON Temple of Vrindavan, also known as the Krishna Balarama Mandir. It is one of the most prominent places known for Lord Krishna and his brother Balarama. The temple was inaugurated by AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhu Pada in 1975. The temple is renowned for its stunning architecture, which blends traditional Indian and modern styles. It features several intricating designs, marble floors, and vibrant paintings of Lord Krishna.
Radha Raman Temple
The Radha Raman temple of Vrindavan is one of the most significant temples. It was established by Gopal Bhatta Goswami, one of the six Goswami’s of Vrindavan, in 1542 CE. It is dedicated to a form of Lord Krishna.
According to Hindu mythology, Gopal Bhattacharya had 12 Shaligram Shila’s (sacred stones) that he worshiped. One day a wealthy man offered him beautiful clothes and ornaments for the sake of his deities, but Gopal Bhattacharya could not use them for his Shaligrams. On the full moon night, while offering prayers, he covered his Shaligrams with a wicker basket and went to rest. The next morning, he found that one of the Shaligrams had turned into a beautiful deity of Lord Krishna.
Radha Damodar Temple
The Radha Damodar Temple was established by Jiva Goswami in 1542 CE. It is a part of seven main temples of Vrindavan, including Radha Madan Mohan, Radha Govinda, Radha Gopinath, Radha Raman, Radha Shyam Sunder, and Radha Gokul Nanda, collectively known as Sapta Devalaya. The main idols worshiped in the temples are Radha and Damodar (form of Lord Krishna). It has Govardhan Shila, a sacred stone of Govardhan Parvat believed to bear the footprints of Krishna given to Sanatana Goswami.
Kanishka Malhotra is a seasoned journalist with a deep passion for reporting and uncovering the truth. With a specialization in research and investigative Journalism, she has covered wide range of topics related to social issues, travel, lifestyle, technology, Entertainment and much more. She believes to express and share her creativity to the world through words. With relentless pursuit of knowing and uncovering the truth, Kanishka continues to leave a mark in the world of journalism.
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