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 15 Km. north of Mathura on the same bank of
Yamuna, lies the celebrated town of Vrindavan, almost as closely associated
with Krishna as Mathura itself. Indeed one hardly speak of Vrindavan alone
to; the devout Hindu. Mathura-Vrindavan can not a unified image of untold
beauty and religious sanctify. What is comparatively a matter of
detail is that Vrindavan is believed to have been the stage on which Krishna
performed his famous romantic and sportive roles. Unlike busy Mathura.
Vrindavan seems perpetually to be dreaming and imaginatively, re-living
its romantic past. There are hundred of shrines in the town, as also numerous
ghats and several sacred tanks, of which one called Brahama kund and another
named Govinda kund are the most highly venerated. The most famous as well
as the finest temple in Vrindavan is that of Govinda Deva, dating from
1590. It is a huge, Cruciform, Vaulted building of red sandstone with
a nave 30Mt.(100Ft.) in height and breadth the wall is 3 Mt.(10Ft.) thick
on an average and is built in two stage. The upper being a regular triforium.
WHAT TO SEE
GOVINDA DEV TEMPLE : Built by Raja Man singh of Jaipur in
1590, The temple is a testimony of the architectural splendour of medieval
India. The temple walls average 10 ft. thickness. The upper state is regular
triforium. Originally seven stories high, it's upper four stories were destroyed
during the reign of Aurangzeb. The Krishna idol was then removed to Jaipur
.
SHAHJI TEMPLE : It was constructed in the year 1860. It is
a prominent temple of northern India. It is famous for it's explendid
art architecture , sculpture and twelve single piece spiral colemns made up
of marble approx 15'high. The world famous BASANTI KAMRA is situated in
the eastern wing of this temple. This room has spectacular ancient chandelies
and rare paintings are available .
RANG JI TEMPLE : Vrindavan 's longest temple, it was constructed
in 1851 by Seth Govind Das ji & Seth Laxmi Chand Ji. All were desciples
of Acharyavarya Rangdeshie Swami where as the main gate is in Rajput style ,
The temple follows South Indian architectural pattern . The outer wall measure
773 Ft. and encompass a water tank , a garden and the actual temple .
The "Dhweja Stambha " , 50 ft. tall , is believed to be gold plated .
MADAN MOHAN TEMPLE : Situated near Kali ghat , it is believed
to have been built by Kapur Ram Das of Multan. The original Image
of Madan Mohan was removed to Karauli during the regin of Aurangzeb
.
KRISHNA BALRAM MANDIR (ISKCON VRINDAVAN ) : This is a International
spiritual organisation having 400 centers around the world . This was
founded by srila A.C. Bhakti Vedanta Swami Prabhupada . thousands of pilgrims
and International tourists visited Vrindavan centre which is having beautiful
temple of Lord Krishna .
RADHA BALLABH TEMPLE : Built in 1626 this temple is of special
architectural interest as remnant of ancient hindu architecture . The
Shrine was demolished in the 17th century and the huge structure
only the plinth remains.
GOPI NATH TEMPLE : closely resembling the Madan Mohan mandir in
style and dimension, it was built by Rai Shilji, a Sekhavat Rajput of Jaipur
.
GLASS TEMPLE : Its marvelous art of glass work dazzles the
pilgrim's eyes.
NIDHI VAN : Radhika's Kridasthali, the playground of
Krishna's consort, it is a place of Hindu veneration. The image of Bihariji
was discovered by Swami Haridas Ji.
SEVA KUNJ : Krishna's Vihar Bhoomi, it was sanctified for
centuries ago by Radha Ballabhiya Samaradayachery Shri Goswami Hit Hari Vanshji.
BANKE BIHARI : One of the oldest temple, it was rebuilt in
1921 discpieles of Haridas Swami who got the idol of Bankey Bihari from
Nidhi Van.
GOVERDHAN
26 Km from Mathura along the road to Deeg. It is named after the name
of the Goverdhan Hillock" which is said to have raised on the finger
and was was put in the condition to save the people from the incessant
rain which fell constantly for seven days to destroy the people of Brij.
The hillock is 7 Miles in length. The temple of Har Deva Ji in Goverdhan
town is 400 Yrs old. The Mansi Ganga which is an artificial lake, was
constructed my Man Singh of Jaipur. The dense shady trees the hill ranges
and tranquil flow of Mansi Ganga all unite together and make a charming
view which the visitor can never forget.
KUSM SAROVAR : About two miles from the town, is the boarder of Radha
Kund which have significant architectural group erected by T. Sing in
honor of his father, Suraj Mal, the cenotaph of Suraj Mal which stand
on Kusum Sarovar, present in a fine view.
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