Introduction

Vrindavan, the abode of Lord Krishna, is located in Uttar Pradesh. Tucked away in the Mathura district of the Braj region, Vrindavan is popular for its numerous temples that are scattered throughout the town. This holy town is situated at a distance of 15 kilometers from Mathura and around 151 kilometers south of Delhi.

History of Vrindavan

This holy town in the northern part of India got its name from the Tulsi plant which is also known as Vrinda. According to legends this town was a tulsi grove once upon a time. There are other legends as well that narrate that Vrindavan derived its name from Vrinda Devi, a playmate of Lord Krishna. As far as the history of this town is concerned it is steeped in legends and myths. The umpteenth temples stand as evidences to these great many legends. According to historical evidences the earliest Hindu temple built in Vrindavan was Seva Kunj built by the gosains of Vrindavan. Initially it was named Nidhiban as it is situated in a large garden. Besides this, four other temples were built to commemorate the visit of Emperor Akbar. These were Govind Deva, Madan Mohan, Gopinath, and Jugal Kishore.

Geography of Vrindavan

Vrindavan is located on the Gangetic Plain. As a result it experiences extreme climate. The summers are hot and humid with the temperature reaching to around 45 degrees. The winters, on the other hand, are chilly and the temperature may drop to 5 degree Celsius. Monsoon arrives in Vrindavan during the first week of July and stays till the second week of September.

Demography of Vrindavan

In accordance to 2001 census, the population of Vrindavan is 56,618. The literacy rate of Vrindavan is quite impressive with 65%.

Culture of Vrindavan

Religion is a way of in Vrindavan. Devotion to the lord is manifested through music and dance. Hence bhajans, kirtans and other forms of devotional songs are quite common sights in Vrindavan. Festivals are celebrated with a lot of fervour in Vrindavan. Whether it Janmashtami, Holi or Jhulan Yatra, devotees flock the city to participate in these festivals. In fact it is a visual treat to watch such festivals being celebrated on the streets and lanes of Vrindavan. Govardhan Puja, Guru Poornima, Holi, Radhashtami, and Basant Panchami are also a part of the town`s festivities.

Architecture of Vrindavan

Vrindavan, around 15 km from Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh, is a little town and a major place of pilgrimage on the banks of Yamuna River. Mathura is a sacred place and is visited by many pilgrims. Attracting about 500,000 pilgrims every year, mainly during major festivals like Janmashtami, Holi and Radhashtami, it is noted for its numerous temples both, old and modern, big and small. Hinduism is the dominant religion of the place.

Vrindavan lies in the Braj region and is rooted in rich mythological past. It is said to be the region where Lord Krishna have spent his childhood. Vrindavan is also associated with Hindu folklore and is an important Hindu pilgrimage site. The major tradition followed in the area is Vaishnavism, and it is a center of learning with many Vrindavan Ashrams operating. In a centuries-old tradition Hindu widows have been coming to live out the rest of their lives in Vrindavan. They are expected to shed all physical adornments, including long hair, wear only white cotton saris and lead an austere lifestyle. Subsisting on charitable donations made by wealthy traders, the widows pass their life in devotion to Krishna, the Supreme Lord.

Temple Architecture at Vrindavan :  Most of the temples in Vrindavan belong to the North Indian style of temple architecture, while a few conform to a mixed style. The temples now present in Vrindavan were constructed after 1000 AD, while some of them are of recent origin.

The main architectural creations of the place are temples, of which the main temples are the Madan Mohan Temple, the famous Radha Vallav Temple, the Jugal Kishore Temple, the Jaipur Temple, the Shahji Temple, the Rangaji Temple and the Govind Deo Temple. Buddhist and Jain temples were built here during ancient times but were later destroyed. Islamic architectural styles have crept into the design, making it a unique structure.

Madan Mohan Temple : Madan Mohan Temple on the riverside is the oldest structure in Vrindavan. This 60 foot high temple was opened in 1580 on a 50 foot hill called Dvadasaditya Tila, next to the Yamuna. The architecture of the Madan Mohan temple is similar to that of the Jagat Kishore temple. The wall of the octagonal shikhara is done in lattice work and a medallion has been installed, but there is no statue within.

Jugal Kisore Temple :  Jugal Kisore Temple is one of the oldest temples of Vrindavan, constructed with the Yamuna River at the rear and the old Ghats as a backdrop in 1627. Earlier, the temple had an open porch in front. Carved on the tympanum above the entrance are Krishna and other animal forms worshipped by Hindus. It is sometimes called the Kesi ghata temple, as it is located next to this ghata.

Govind Deo Temple : Govind Deo Temple was a grand seven-story structure, with an altar of marble, silver and gold. Architecturally this temple is one of the finest in North India. A sculptured lotus flower weighing several tons decorates the main hall ceiling. With its many arches and no sculptures to adorn it, the Mandapa looks like a mosque. The sides of the building and the balcony, have traditional framework, which gives the temple a rich look. It was built in 1590 by Raja Man Singh from Jaipur, a general in Akbar"s army. Akbar himself had donated the red sandstone for its construction. In 1670, during the rule of a later Mughal king, Aurangzeb, it was plundered and destroyed leaving only three stories of the original temple.

Jaipur Temple :  Jaipur Temple, one of Vrindavan"s most opulent temples, was built by the Maharaja of Jaipur, Sawai Madhav, in 1917 after 30 years of labor. The fine hand-carved sandstone is of unparalleled workmanship, the huge pillars that hold up the roof are each carved from one solid rock, and the intricately fashioned marble on the altar is reminiscent of the Mughal period.

Shahji Temple : Shahji Temple, another popular temple at Vrindavan, was designed and built in 1876 by a wealthy jeweler, Shah Kundan Lal of Lucknow. Noted for its magnificent architecture and beautiful marble sculpture, the temple has twelve spiral columns each 15 feet high. The "Basanti Kamra" - the darbar hall is famed for its Belgian glass chandeliers and fine paintings.

Rangaji Temple :  Opposite from the Govinda Dev Temple is an imposing south-Indian temple called Rangaji Temple. It is 30 meters high with three gopurams (gateways), a tall shikhara (crown) and gold-plated decorations. This temple has a traditional South Indian gopuram, a Rajput-styled entrance gate and an Italian-influenced colonnade. One of the enclosures within the precincts of this magnificent temple has a 15-meter-high pillar made of gold. It is one of Vrindavan"s largest temples and is surrounded by high walls.

Other places of architectural interest comprise Seva Kunj, Jugal Kishore Temple, Kesi Ghat, Sriji Temple, Lal Babu Temple, Meera-Bai Temple, Raman Reti, Varaha Ghat and Chira Ghat. With this enormous collection of architectural specimens, Vrindavan is a coveted tourist spot.

Revival of Vrindavan

Some of the popular Bengali masters who contributed towards the revival of Vrindavan are the six goswamis- Rupa Goswami, Sanatana Goswami, Jiva Goswami (nephew of Rupa and Sanatana), Raghunatha Bhatta Goswami, Gopala Bhatta Goswami (1503-1578), Raghunatha Dasa Goswami; and the second expansion with Srinivasa Acharya, Narottama Das Thakur and Shyamananda Prabhu. All of them devoted their life to reveal the sacred places, which are associated with Radha, Krishna and Gopis. In these places, Radha and Krishna performed their specific "Leelas".

Tourism in Vrindavan

Vrindavan is undoubtedly the land of Lord Krishna. Mythology spells out that the lord spent his childhood here. For the followers of Krishna, Vrindavan is significant as this ancient town has been a witness to the lord`s mischief, pranks, friendship, miracles and his love for Radha. Vrindavan is the land of Raslila as well. Hence apart from the religious structures, Indian mythology also plays an important role in attracting the tourists to Vrindavan.

Nidhivan Vrindavan

Nidhivan Vrindavan is one of the most significant and popular temples of Vrindavan. It is termed as Madhuvan also. Nidhivan is referred as the play ground of Lord Krishna in his childhood times and in the adolescent age.

Swami Haridasa, an Indian saint of early era, who was the very cause of appearance (advent) or Prakattya of Lord Bankey Bihari (Lord Krishna) at this renowned Nidhivana, used to please his "Priya- Priyatam".

Lord Bankey Bihari, who is popularly known as Lord Krishna by pouring the melodious rapture of his thrilling music in the periphery of this spiritual temple made this place sacred. It is surrounded with the small-sized trees. So to say, it is a piously sanctified shrine where impulsive overflow of attachment and sacrament flows every time in pilgrims mind.

As a result of Swami Haridasa"s hard penance and spiritual aspiration, Lord Krishna not only came in his dream but appeared also in this spiritually blessed Nidhivan. The appearance spot of the Lord Bankey Bihari in Nidhivan temple is seen even to the pilgrims by the local guides. Thousands of pilgrims and visitors visit it during the day. It is closed after the process of arti at 8p.m.

There is a concept prevailed in this temple. After the sacred process of arti, not only human beings, but any kind of single animal also can`t remain in the periphery of this temple. In case anyone remains during night in the compass of the temple, either he / she becomes dumb, deaf, blind, lame or dies. He or she is not found hale and hearty in the morning to disclose the spiritual secret of the lord Radha-Krishna. It proves that Radha Krishna who are known as Priya-Priyatam, they appear in the night to perform their spiritual lilas.

There are many worth-watching spots present in this temple. These spots contain the spiritual mystery of the Radha and Krishna. There is a Samadhi of Swami Haridasa, The Radha Rani temple, The Sacred Well of Radha Rani, The Appearance Place of Lord Bankey Bihari and the Costume place of Lord Krishna and Radha where they beautify themselves.