Vrindavan (Part 3) | Mathura Vrindavan Series | By Bhakti Marg
1) RADHA VALLABH
2) BANKE BIHARI
3) RADHA RAMAN
4) NIDHIVAN
5) PREM MANDIR
6) ISKON TEMPLE
7) RANGNATH MANDIR
8) GOVINDJI MANDIR
RADHA VALLABH :
Radhavallabh Sampradaya is one of the most peerless and prominent Sampradaya , which was initiated 550 years ago by Anant Shri Vibhushit, Vanshi Avtar, Prem Swaroop Shri Hit Harivansh Chandra Mahaprabhu Ji. Shri Hit Harivansh Mahaprabhu is the incarnation (Avtar) of Shri Krishna’s eternal Vanshi and descended to bestow & shower the Sahcharior Sakhi Bhav of PriyaPriyatam. Hit symbolizes "Pure Love" which is the foundation stone for the devotional service in lotus feet of Priya pritam."
BANKE BIHAR:
Banke Bihari Temple is a Hindu temple situated in the town of Vrindavan, Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh, India. The temple is dedicated to Banke Bihari who is believed to be the combined form of Radha and Krishna. Banke Bihari was originally worshipped at Nidhivan, Vrindavan
RADHA RAMAN :
Shri Radharaman Ji appeared in the samvat 1591. The temple was built in samwat 1645. Near by is samadhi of Shri Gopal Bhatt Ji who established the temple and service of Shri Radharaman Ji.
History: At the age of thirty, Gopala Bhatta Gosvami came to Vrindavana. After Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's disappearance, Gopala Bhatta Gosvami felt intense separation from the Lord. The Lord instructed Gopala Bhatta in a dream "If you want my darshan then make a trip to Nepal".
NIDHIVAN :
Nidhivan (Hindi: निधिवन) (meaning, Sacred Forest) is one of the sacred sites of Vrindavan, situated in the Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh, India.[1] It is considered as the most prominent site dedicated to the pastimes of the Hindu deities Radha and Krishna and their cowherd companions, the Gopikas. It is a common belief among devotees that Nidhivan still witnesses the rasa-lila (dance) of Radha and Krishna during the night and thus, to protect the forest's sanctity, Nidhivan is closed with barricades during the night.[2]
PREM MANDIR :
Prem Mandir is a Hindu temple in Vrindavan, Mathura, India. It is maintained by Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat, an international non-profit, educational, spiritual, charitable trust. The complex is on a 54-acre site on the outskirts of Vrindavan, and is dedicated to Lord Radha Krishna and Sita Ram.
ISKON TEMPLE :
Sri Krishna Balrama Temple is acknowledged for being the first temple constructed by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Built in 1975 by the ISKCON cult, the foundation of the shrine was laid by Swami Prabhupada (founder of ISKCON) himself. Located at Raman Reti in Vrindavan, the temple can be easily reached by regular transport from the western part of Uttar Pradesh. From Delhi, one can get in touch with the temple by taking regular buses or by hiring taxis.
RANGNATH MANDIR :
Sri Rangji Mandir is dedicated to Lord Sri Goda-Rangamannar. Goda or Andal as she is popularly known in South India was a famous 8th century Vaishnava saint who had composed "Tiruppuvai" which centers around her love for her beloved Lord Krishna and his leela bhoomi Vrindavan. She pines for him, fasts for him, sings songs in his praise and wants to attain him by marrying him. Lord Ranganatha who is none other than Krishna answers her prayers by becoming her bridegroom. In SriRangji Mandir, Lord Krishna is present as the bridegroom with a walking stick in his hand as is the custom in a traditional south Indian marriage. To his right is Andal and to his left Garuda, the vahana of Lord Krishna.
GOVINDJI MANDIR :
In his early 19th century Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics James Hastings points out that out of as many as one thousand temples within the limits of the Vrindavana town, four are of a special interest, with the fist listing going to this temple of Govinda Deva. Hastings translates this name of Krishna as a 'god of cattle', a literal meaning of Sanskrit name Govinda. The temple is considered to be Man Singh's best known project, and the temple is the largest one constructed in north India since the twelfth century. The interior vaults and pillars were inspired by those used in Fatehpur Sikri and other imperial sites, but in fact were technologically more innovative then Singh's own buildings, and it has a sculptured lotus flower weighing several tons decorates the main hall ceiling. while still reflecting the Islamicate styles used in contemporary imperial Mughal architecture. It was fitted with an altar of marble, silver and gold. Akbar visited Vrindavan in 1573 and according to tradition its believed that Hindu rajas accompanying him obtained his permission to build temples in these parts, and thus temples of Gopinath and Govind Deva were constructed by them. Next is the Radha-Govind Deva temple that is another of the seven major temples of Vrindavana.