106- DIVYA DESAMS-KRISHNA JANMA BHOOMI- MATHURA-12

We are in the midst of vertual pilgrimage tour of Vaishnava Divya desams and had the glimpse of Temples devoted to Ram.

In the next lap of our tour we will have dharsan of Lord Krishna- Krishna Janma Bhoomi.

MATHURA:

Mathura, the birth city of Bhagwan Krishna is situated on the banks of river Yamuna and is approximately 145 kms from the capital city Delhi. The town is renowned for being host to the most revered temple of Shri Krishna-the famous Krishna Janma Bhoomi Mandir. The temple is the place where lord is said to have been born thousands of years ago. Along with neighboring towns Govardhan, Nandgaon and Vrindavan, the area is a major pilgrimage site for Hindus.

According to historians, the prison cell,popularly known as 'Garbha Griha', in the temple premise is the exact place where lord Krishna was born. The stone walled cell is reminiscent of the cruelty of King Kamsa. Many statues and sculptures of the bygone era were found on excavating the site. The prison cell was gradually turned into the present beautiful temple.

Vadamathurai, Vrindavan and Govardhan comprise- Krishna Janma Bhoomi. The legends says: Rama called his brither Sathrugnan to conquer the demonic Asuran-Lavanasuran and as per the order he killed the King and built this MATHURA.

Later this place exchanged to YADHAVA Dynasty and ruled by Vasudevar.

Janmashtami, one of the most popular festivals of Hindus celebrates the birth of their beloved God, Sri Krishna. Detailed story of Janmashtami or Lord Krishna's birth has been narrated in Puranas. The entire story of Krishna Leela is enacted as drama every year during the Janmashtami celebrations here.

Janmashtami in Vrindavan

Vrindavan is quite a famous place for pilgrimage in North India. Just about 15 kms from Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna, it houses nearly 5000 temples both ancient as well as modern. The holy town of Vrindavan is where Lord Krishna spent his formative years.

Rasleelas and staging of various plays
It is said that the city of Vrindavan starts celebrating Janmashtami 7-10 days before the actual date of the festival. This is done by staging various plays and rasleelas at different places in the city. Professional artistes enact various episode of Lord krishna's life. These plays are a huge drawers of devotees.

Celebrations at main Temples in Vrindavan
Although there are around 5000 temples in Vrindavan but the main temples are Banke Bihari Temple, Rangnathji Temple, Shri krishna Balram Temple, Radharaman Temple, ISCKON Temple etc.

These temples have an itenarary for the entire day, with timings fixed for various ceremonies and poojas all day long. Darshans are open for devotees even during Abhishek (holy bath) of lord Krishna.
Celebrations at Madhuban during Janamashtami

According to legend in Vrindavan, Madhuban is the exact place where Lord Krishna is said to have performed rasleelas with his beloved Gopis more than 5000 years ago. A famous folklore associated with the place is that Lord Krishna till date ascends to perform rasleela with the gopis. Anyone venturing into the place during night either dies or becomes insane. Thus no localite ventures into Madhuban during night.

The place becomes alive during Janmashtami with rasleelas being performed in the premises during the daytime. Fasting by devotees Fasting is another ritual followed by all the devotees religiously every year. Devotees observe all day long last and break it at midnight after the arrival of Lord Krishna.

It is believed by devotees that fasts act as an offering that humans can make to the Lord and bring them closer to him. Devotees cook various dishes of milk and milk products to mark the occasion. This is so because Lord Krishna was quite fond of milk and butter. Popular dishes include Kheer, Pedha, Shrikhand and Singhare ki poori.

The temple where the Alwars did the mangalasasanam of the perumal is not in existence now and the idols now found are said to be installed in the later date.

Moolavar:
The Moolavar of this Gokulam sthalam is Navamohana Krishna. Moolavar is standing posture (Nindra thirukkolam) facing east direction. Prathyaksham for Nandagopar.

Thaayar:
Sri Rukmani & Sri Sathyabama are the two Naachiyaars giving divine grace to this kshetram.

Mangalasasanam:

Periyalwar - 10 Paasurams

Andal - 5 Paasurams

Thirumangai Alwar - 7 Paasurams.

Pushkarani:
Yamuna river.

Vimaanam:
Hema Kooda Vimaanam.

www.trsiyengar.com/id265.shtml -

 

Gokul, at a distance of about 12 km from Mathura, is what is referred to  as the Tiruvaaippaadi Divya Desam. The first verse of Tiruppaavai speaks of 'Seer malgum Aaippaadi'

www.templenet.com/Tamilnadu/df072.html

Location: Gokul near Mathura
(Vada Naadu)
Vishnu: Navamohana Krishnan
Taayaar: Rukmini, Satyabhama
Theertham:Yamuna
Paasuram :Perialwar, Andal, Tirumangai
Vimaanam:Hemakoota Vimanam
Travel Base:Mathura, Agra, Delhi