Mathura without Krishna is like Bethlehem without Jesus.
Mathura, Vrindavan and Gokul are the parts of Brajbhumi through which runs the historical Yamuna river.
Krishna was born in a prison cell in Mathura. His father Vasudev aided by goddess Yogamaya brought him out of Mathura, across the raging river Yamuna into the house of Nanda in Gokula. Krishna spent his early childhood here and revealed His divinity. His uncle Kansa's murderous attempts lead Krishna to leave Gokula and move to Nandgaon, a more secure home high up on a hill. From here the young Krishna, the cowherd boy would wander into the Vrindavan forests to play with His friends and dally with Radha, His consort. Vrindavan, is a transcendental world, a place of Krishna's lila.
Every square inch of Brajbhoomi has a spiritual history to be told.
My trip to Delhi kickstarted with the visit to Mathura with three of my other close friends. We started early morning and the drive through the direct route 'Yamuna Expressway' was stimulating in itself. 150km drive at 150kmph...phew!! We got busted on the cctv though....that is another story altogether.
We reached Mathura's main temple and hired a guide. He could narrate anecdotes of Krishna at breakneck speed and conclude with a loud chant "Radhe Radhe". And we echoed :)
First visit was to the 'Garbhgriha' temple. The actual place of birth of the Almighty. The cell in which He was born, still exists with the actual slab of red stone. One cant believe at first sight that it actually exists! Adorned with God's picture, the ambience is simply Krishnafied.
The Temple co-exists with a mosque and a large part of "The Cell" is buried under the walls of the mosque. The Mughals intended to uproot the holy shrine and build a place for Allah. All said and done, thankfully the other half of the cell still exists!
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Main entrance to the Krishna Janmabhoomi
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| Krishna's birthplace co exists with the mosque. One India... |
We headed towards Gokuldham. There exists this temple where "bhoomi" where Krishna as a toddler, ate mud. When scorned at by His mother, he opens his mouth. He showed her the universe in his mouth. The Temple priest offers a tinge of mud as prasad and the devotees crawl inside the temple on their knees, as the idol is of baby Krishna known a "Laddoo Gopal" is worshipped here.
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| Laddoo Gopal |
After cradling (jhoola) the Laddoo Gopal, we head towards Vrindavan, where Krishna spent his adolescent days romancing and creating spellbinding miracles.The relatively small town is flanked with 5000 temples, each boasting of a miraculous history of its own.
One of the main temples is the "Baanke Bihari" temple. It has the most fascinating episode I have ever heard of. Once, a staunch devotee of Krishna visited this temple and the sight of the idol mesmerised her into a state of trance. The utmost devotion of her made the idol vanish from the spot and the God walked out and followed her. Discovering which, the old lady hid the idol into a trunk to not let go of her God. The priests of the temple dreamt of the captured God and brought Him back. Since then, there are curtains placed near the idol which distract the view of the devotees to prevent the God following us out....Goosebumps all over!
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| Sri Baanke Bihari :) |
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| Devotees throng the Baanke Bihari temple |
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| Execution of Kansa |
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| No caption needed |
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| My friends...on the way to the great discovery...Makkhan...lassi...rabri... |
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| Vishram Ghat (where Krishna rested after the carnage of Kansa) |
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| The presentation of Krishna raising the Govardhan Parvat on his little finger to save the villagers from the fatal storm |
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| Lotus and rose garlands |
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| Krishna leela personified |
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| Remnants of the bygone history |
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| The illustrious peda and rabri in the making |
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| The preeminent milky delight...you just cannot miss to binge into one |
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| Pracheen Mandir....yes I can believe that. |
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| Borrowed pic: Holi celebrations...women hit the men with bamboo sticks...I need to be there during holi for sure :D |
This way the journey ended...leaving us blithely blessed and gratified :)
A very well written article, I am personally pleased in the manner in which the description of the town has been narrated.
ReplyDeleteHowever. the incident that makes me a big krishna follower is when he agreed to leave his capital town of Vrindavan and settle in Dwarka. This was when Maharaja Jarasandh continuously attacked his territory to seize control. Krishn policy was very simple, Jarasandh continuous attack, distracts me and moves me away from my objectives and goals. I am not meant for bloodshed and fights. it is better to move away from here and work on my purpose of life. It is for this action he is also known as Rannchhod.
Great article Arti and kudos for bringing it out. Do write more and share happiness.