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Mathura
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Shri Krishna |
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Temple Of Mathura |
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Mathura
The city of Mathura, in Uttar Pradesh, the nucleus of Brajbhoomi, is
located at a distance of 145 km south-east of Delhi and 58 km north-west of
Agra. Covering an area of about 3,800 sq. km., today, Brajbhoomi can be divided
into two distinct units - the eastern part in the trans-Yamuna tract with places
like Gokul, Mahavan, Baldeo, Mat and Bajna and the western side of the Yamuna
covering the Mathura region that encompasses Vrindavan, Govardhan, Kusum
Sarovar, Barsana and Nandgaon.
The land of Braj starts from Kotban near Hodel about 95 km from
Delhi and ends at Runakuta which is known specially for its association with the
poet Surdas, an ardent Krishna devotee. A long line of picturesque ghats - with
their steps leading to the water's edge, arched gateways and temple spires
extending along the right bank of the River Yamuna, emphasise the sacred
character of the town of Mathura. The birth place of Lord Krishna, "the best
known, best loved and most complex of Lord Vishnu's manifestations" - Mathura is
today an important place of pilgrimage.
Location
The city of Mathura is located in the western part of the state of Uttar
Pradesh, in the northern region of India. It is a part of the great northern
plains and is situated on the west bank of the river Yamuna. Mathura is 141 km
south of Delhi and 47 km northwest of Agra. The climate of Mathura is extreme
and tropical. Summers are extremely hot and winters are cold and foggy. It
experiences southwestern monsoon rains from July to September.
History
An ancient city whose origins fade into the mists
of history, Mathura's strategic location at the cross roads of various trade
routes - that went westwards to West Asia and the Roman Empire; northwards, via
Taxila, Pushkalavati and Purushapur to Central Asia and the Silk Route and
eastwards to China - ensured its position as a centre of trade and a meeting
point for varied cultures.
By the fifth century BC, during the time of
Buddha, it was a major metropolis and the capital of the Surasena Kingdom - one
of the 16 Mahajanapadas of the period. Mathura saw its `golden age' during the
rule of the Kushanas and the able governance of rulers like Kanishka, Huvishka,
and Vasishka, when the arts flourished and economic wealth grew. It remained a
centre of power during the Mauryan period, through the enlightened rule of
Emperor Ashoka (3rd century BC) to the Gupta era (4th century AD).
Brij Culture in Mathura
According to the Bhagwat Purana, Shri Krishna along with
the gopis had danced the Raas on the banks of the Yamuna at Vrindavan. When the
gopis felt conceited about Lord Krishna dancing with them, he disappeared from
their midst. In the agony of separation from their beloved Krishna, the gopis
recalled and enacted his lilas (divine episodes of his life) which in course of
time came to be known as the Raaslilas. The Raaslila in its present form is
ascribed to Swami Haridas and Shri Narayan Bhatt. Only young Brahmin boys of 13
to 14 years of age can perform the Raaslila. The charming childhood pranks of
Shri Krishna constitute the main them of these dramas.
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Mathura Pilgrimage Attractions |
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Popular Pilgriamge Attractions
- Radharamana Temple
This is the famous temple of Gopala Bhatta
Gosvami. Radharamana means "one who gives pleasure to Radha", and is one of the
many names of Lord Krishna. The seva puja of Radharamana was established in
1542, after the Deity self-manifested from a saligram-sila. Also kept iin this
temple is the wooden sitting place (hoki) and shawl (chaddar) or Lord Chaitanya,
that He gave as a gift to Gopala Bhatta Gosvami. There is no deity of Radharani
in this temple, but a crown is kept next to Krishna signifying Her presence.
- Jugal Kisore Temple
This is one of the oldest temple of
Vrindavana and was completed in 1627. After Emperor Akbar's visit to Vridavana
in the year 1570, he gave permission for four temples to be built by the Gaudya
Vaisnavas, which were Madana-mohana, Govindaji, Gopinatha and Jugal Kisore. It
is sometimes called the Kesi ghata temple, as it is located next to this ghata.
- Kesi Ghata
This is the place where Lord Krishna killed the Kesi
demon who appeared in the form of a gigantic horse and then took His bath in
this very same ghata. This is also very famous bathing place in Vrindavana. An
arati to Yamuna Devi is held here every evening.
- Rangji Temple
This South Indian style temple was built by the
wealthy Seth family of Mathura in the year 1851, and is dedicated to Lord Sri
Ranganatha or Rangaji - a form of Lord Vishnu lying down on the Sesa Naga
(celestial serpent). This temple has a traditional South Indian gopuram
(gateway) and is surrounded by high walls. It is one of Vrindavana's largest
temples. Once a year a grand car festival (Ratha Yatra) is held known as
Brahmotsava, during the month of Chait (March - April), this festival lasts for
10 days.
- Dwarkadish Temple
The Dwarkadish Temple, built in 1814, is a
popular temple in the center of town. This is the most visited temple in the
center of town. This is the most visited temple in Mathura. This temple is
managed by followers of Vallabhacarya. Once you enter this temple from the
street, it is fairly interesting architechually and there is a lot of activity
inside. It is located in the eastern part of Mathura, not far from the Yamuna
River.
Unique Attractions of
Mathura - Holi
Holi is celebrated on the full moon day in the month of
Phalguna (Feb-March). Holi in Braja is celebrated for several days, at different
places around Braja, before the actual day of Holi.
People throw colored
powdered dye and colored water on each other. This is joyfully celebrated in
Braja, especially at Varsana, Nandagram and Dauji. In Varsana the festival
includes colorful processions with music, song, dance, and some boisterous
scenes around the temples. If you go to these festivals you should expect to be
totally covered in dye and never to be able to use the clothes that you are
wearing again, at least until next year's festival. This is celebrated at the
same time as Gaura Purnima.
Varsana Groups of visitors go around in
small and large groups here. In the afternoon gopas (men) from Nandagram come to
Varsana and play Holi with the local gopis (women) of Varsana. The women hit the
men hard with 2 ½m (7ft) long bamboo staffs. The men have shields which they
protect themselves with. During this time local songs are sung. This festival is
celebrated on the ninth day of the month of Phalguna (Feb-March).
Nandagram The day after the Holi festival at Varsana, Holi is celebrated
in Nandagram. The gopas (men) from Varsana come to Nandagram to play Holi with
the gopis (women) there. The flag of the Larily Lal Temple in Varsana is carried
in an elaborate procession to Nandagram. At this time the residents of Nandagram
attempt to capture the flag, but their attempts are foiled. After this, women
play Holi with bamboo staffs. This festival is celebrated on the tenth day
(dasami) of the month of Phalguna (Feb-March).
Phalen On the full moon
night in Feb/March a huge bon-fire is burned. One of the local priests walks
through the fire unscathed. One story about Holi is that Prahlada Maharaja
refused to worship his father and wanted to worship his father's enemy, Lord
Vishnu instead. His father's sister Holika, who was immune to being burned, sat
with the boy in a big fire. Prahlada's devotion was so great that Holika was
burnt to death and Prahlada was unharmed. The Holi festival at Phalen re-enacts
this event.
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Shri Krishna Poojas |
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Every evening Mahaarti performed at Triveni Ghat.
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