MATHURAMathura
is the place where according to Hindu mythology, Lord Krishna born. The
place is closely linked with many episodes in the early life of Krishna. The
main places to visit are Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi, Vishram Ghat, Sati Burj,
Kans Qila, Jama Masjid, Dwarkadheesh Temple, and the Archeological Museum.
VRINDAVANVrindavan is situated
in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh around 151 km south of Delhi. It
extends latitude 27°33¢ in the North to longitude 77°44¢
in the East. The place is just 10 km off Mathura, the place where Lord
Krishna is said to have spent his childhood. Vrindavan is situated on the
New Delhi–Chennai and New Delhi–Mumbai main railway line. A
meter-gauge line connects Vrindavan to Mathura. There are quite a good
number of passenger trains plying between these two places.
SITES
TO VISIT...... The Pagal Baba Temple has eleven stories in all and
is one of the more modern pieces of architecture. The temple’s creator,
Pagal Baba, died only a few years ago. His infectious spirit lingers on in
the playfulness of his disciples who are ready to welcome one into the
temple interior. It is possible to ascend to the ninth story if the monsoon
heat and one’s constitution allows.
One of the most
impressive temples is the
ISKCON Temple, which was built with funds
from devotees overseas. Here, the marble buildings almost glow with a light
of their own and there is evidence of intricate carving.
One of the
most important and vibrant temples is the Bankey Bihari Temple, where one
can expect to see devotees engaged in simple acts of worship such as
ecstatically clashing small cymbals together as they move in time to ancient
rhythms. The Bankey Bihari Temple houses a sacred image of Krishna known as
Thakkur Ji, which shows Krishna with an almost blackened body. Devotees
enter the shrine room carrying garlands of flower petals and offer them to
the spirit of the statue as Brahmins move back and forth in front of the
icon, occasionally drawing across the curtain to shroud the object of
devotion for a moment.
The Govind Dev Temple was built in
1590 by Raja Man Singh and now lies empty, its upper layers having been torn
down during the time of the Mughal emperor, Aurangzeb, who doubtless
considered the place one of idolatry. What remains of this red sandstone
edifice is impressive. If one takes the time to examine the artwork and in
particular, the vaulted ceiling, one may experience a lot of the devotional
fire that inspired it in the first place.
The Rangaji Temple
dates from 1851 and is a mixture of architectural styles, including a Rajput
entrance gate, a soaring south Indian gopuram (gateway tower), and an
Italianate colonnade.
