Vrindavan Temples
The
Sacred City
Vrindavan was the place where lord Knrishna was brought up under
guidance of Yashoda. As per legends, Kansa, the evil king, had
threatened to kill Krishna as soon as he was born. So, Krishna's father
took the newly born Krishna to the nearby village of Vrindavan and left
him in Yashoda's home. Vrindavan, thus, became the playground of Krishna
during his childhood and teenage. It was here, that he met Radha and
fell in love with her. He protected Vrindavan many times by his virtue.
The temples of Vrindavan also say the same story. Innumerable temples
here are dedicated to the child, teenage and adolescent Krishna.
Beautifully constructed, these temples are highly sacred for a Hindu.
Accordings to myths, all the houses in Vrindavan are also temples. So it
can be said that Vrindavan is the true temple city of India.
Main Temples
Bankey Bihari
The Bankey Bihari Temple is the most visited temple of Vrindavan. The
vast and beautiful temple of Lord Krishna is the most sought after
temple of Krishna. Many legends say that Krishna still visits the temple
during night and take his dinner in temple. Though no one has tried to
find out the truth, the religious importance of the temple has been
growing up. Because of its popularity, the temple is swarmed with the
devotees.
Govind Deo (Govindaji) Temple
Built by Man Singh, a General in Akbar's army, the temple was once a
seven storey building. The architecture of temple was a mix of Indian,
Persian and Greek style. Akbar also donated heavily for construction of
the temple. Aurangzeb, the later Mughal ruler, destroyed the temple very
badly.
ISKCON Temple
The ISKCON (International Society for Shri Krishna Consciousness)
temple, also called Krishna Balaram Mandir, is devoted to Krishna, his
brother Balram and Radhika (Krishna's love). Adjoining the temple is the
samadhi of Shri Prabhupada, the founder of the ISKCON sect, built in
pure white marble. Hare Krishna devotees from all around the world flock
here, bringing a truly international flavour to this ancient holy city.
One can find people from different countries in the campus of temple.
Devotees from different linguistic backgrounds can be seen chanting
'Hare Rama Hare Krishna' and other Hindi devotional songs. Ladies are
involved in making flower garland for Krishna. Highly qualified people
with very strong backgrounds devote themselves to Krishna. Stalls of
religious goods, books and music cassettes and discs are also arranged
by these foreign devotees. The whole environ becomes 'Krishana'-ised by
the activities of these Krishna-bhakts.
Seva Kunj
Seva Kunj is the place where Krishna used to dance and enjoy with the
Gopis of village. He spent his best time with Radha in these garden.
There is a small temples in the mid of garden, dedicated to the love of
Radha-Krishna.
Reaching the Temples
Vrindavan has very congested lanes and traffic movement in the town is
very difficult. Cars and taxis go to the entry point, from where
hand-rickshaws are available. Rickshaws or walking are the only options
to explore Vrindavan.
