Mathura is the birth place of lord Krishna and it is the centre of Braj. It is situated in the Uttar Pradesh and 145 km away from Delhi and 65 km from Agra.
Kansa was cruel emperor and maternal uncle of Krishna. Krishna killed him to protect the Braj.
Vrindavan is the heart of Braj, about 12 km away from Mathura near Agra-Delhi highway.
It was a notion that Vrindavan was diminished until 16th century again discovered by Chatanya Maha Prabhu in the year 1515. And through his journey he discovered several scared places of Vrindavan which are related to Krishna’s past time.
Bankey Bihari Mandir
This temple was built in 1864 by Swami Haridas the Guru of musician Tansen. Once Swami Haridas wished Lord Krishna and Radha Rani to exist in one single form to provide a complete glimpse of their being “One”. So the deity is the combination of both Radha and Krishna as single idol. It is one of most famous temples of Vrinavan where devotees go in a great number.
Radha Raman Temple
Radha Raman temple was built by Gopal Bhatt almost 500 years ago around 1542 AD. Radha Raman resembles the significance of Krishna's love for Srimati Radha.
When Chaitnya Maha Prabhu disappeared, Gopal Bhatt Goswami had the feeling of separation so one day Chaitnya Mahaprabhu came into his dream and instructed him to go to Nepal.
In Nepal he found 12 Shalegram Shilas in gandaki river and out of which one Shila turned in Krishna's Deity in the month of Vaishakha(April-May). Since then in the month of Vaishakha(April-May) a festival is organised. Radha Raman is one of the original deties of Goswami's still in Vrindavan.
Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s cloth and asana is still there, which Gopala Bhatta Gosvami brought from Jagannath Puri, and they are displayed to devotees 6 days in every year.
Sri Krishna-Balarama Temple
(ISKON TEMPLE): It is among one of the finest creation in Vrindavan by an International Krishna’s awareness Society and the founder was Swami Prabhupad ji. It is made of a beautiful while marble and equisite carving. It was constructed in 1975 and emphasized the “Hare Krishna” chant among Indians as well as foreigners. Prabhupad ji encouraged the Krishna’s consciousness all over the world and every year a lot of foreigner come in Vrindavan to visit the temple.
Prem Mandir
It was built by JagatGuru Shri Krapalu ji Maharaj. Prem Mandir attributes to divine Love of Radha-Krishna. It is made of beautiful Italian marble with a combination of modern and ancient infrastructure, 125 feet high and extends in 54 acre land. Fascinating musical fountains,gardens and amazing lighting affects make this temple magnificent. Now-a-days this temple is attracting visitor’s most with its magnificent infrastructure.
Radha Vallabh Temple
Radha Vallabh temple was founded by Harivansh Goswami and mugal’s destroyed it in1670 but again a new temple was built next to the old one. It has Krishna’s deity only, a crown is kept to emerge the presence of Radha Rani.
Rangaji Temple
This temple is made of South Indian styled Architecture and famous for the Rath-Yatra(Chariot festival). It has a 15 metre high made of gold pillar so it is famous as the golden pillar temple as well. Over here the Lord Vishnu and Laxmi ji are worshipped.
Govind Dev (Govindaji) Temple
It was built by Raja Mansingh in 1590. It is made of red sandstone which was donated by Akbar(mugal king). It was destroyed by Aurangjeb in 1670 and later on reconstructed. Earlier it was seven stories but after destruction now three stories are remained. The original deities were shifted to Jaipur. Now the replica is worshipped there.
Radha Damodar Mandir
This Temple has the Deities of Radha-Damodara worshpped by Srila Jiva
Goswami, Vrindvaan Chandra by Krishna Kaviraj Goswami, Radha-Madhava by Jaydeva Goswami, and Radha-Chalacikana by Bhugarbha Goswmai. The Samadhis of Srila Rupa Goswami, Srila Jiva Goswami and Srila Krishna Dasa Kaviraj Goswami lie here.
For six years from 1959 to 1965, Srila Prabhupada lived there and translated the first three cantos of the Srimad-Bhagavatam before starting his journey to America. There are Samadhi’s of Srila Rupa Goswami, Srila Jiva Goswami and Srila Krishna das Goswami.
Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda Temple
There are Radha-Vinod deities by Loknath Goswami, the Radha-Gokulananda Deities by Vishvanath Chakravarti, the chaitanya Mahaprabhu Deity by Narottama Dasa Thakur, the Vijaya Govinda Deities of Baladeva Vidyabhusana, and the Goverdhan-Shila given to Raghunath dasa Goswami by sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Also Samadhis of Srila Loknath Goswami, Srila Narottama Dasa Thakura, and Visvanatha Chakravarti Thakura are there.
Sri Gopeshvara Mahadeva Mandir
It is famous for the lord Shiva who presented himself as a gopi of lord Krishna and his same appearance is worshipped here.
Madan Mohan Temple
It was built in 1580 by Sanatana Goswami and funded by a merchant Ram das Kapoor. When mugal emperor Auranzeb attacked it in 1670 the original statue was shifted to Rajathan and now the original deity is worshipped in Rajasthan’s Karoli.
Sri Chaitnaya Mahaprabhu's Imlitala
Sri Chaitanya Majaraprabhu used to sit daily under the Imli Tala tree for chanting. Hence a Deity of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is installed under the tree which is worshipped by people now-a-days.
Seva Kunja and Nidhivan
Swami Haridas discovered Bankey Bihari deity at Nidhivan. It is believed that Radha-Krishna visits here everynight and perform Rasa and enjoy the transcendental pastime in Rang Mahal. Krishna did “Seva” of lotus feet of Radha Rani that’s why it was called Seva-Kunj.
Banshivat
Banshivat is Maharaas Sthali (place) of Radha Krishna.
This is the place where Sri Chaitnya Mahaprabhu came first, When he visited to Vrindavan. There is a big vat tree (banyan tree) from where the deity of Radha Gopinath appeared (which was shifted to Jaipur).
Goverdhan
Goverdhan is about 18km away from Mathura. It is famous for Goverdhan hill. It’s said that Lord Krishna held Goverdhan Hill on his little finger to save the people and animals from anger of the god of rains Indra. The town is also famous for its 21 kilometer long Parikrama of goverdhan hills and Radha kund.
There are many temples to visit like Daan Ghati Mandir ,Mukharbind, Mansi ganga and Hardev Mandir etc.
Barsana
Radha Rani blessed Barsana with her presence from childhood till adolescence. Barsana is also famous for its Latth-Maar holi, devotees of all around the world come there to see this festival.
There are so many famous temples and places in Barsana to visit like Shriji Temple which is on the top of the hill, Maan Mandir, More-Kuti ,Saakri kor and Ghervarvan.
There are so many famous temples and places in Barsana to visit likes Shriji Temple which is on the top of the hill, Maan Mandir, More-Kuti ,Saakri kor and Ghervarvan.
Nandgaon
Nandgaon is the place where Krishna lived with his foster parents Nand Baba and Yasoda Maa, at the age of 6 to 11 year.
There is Krishna and Balaram temple.
Gokul (Mahaban)
Gokul is the place where Krishna spent his first three years of childhood. Gokul is the place where Krishna stole butter from the house of gopies and distributed it to his friends and damodar lilla where Yashoda maa tied Krishna to give him punishment for stealing the butter.
There are several places for vist like Nandbhavan Gokul, Guru Karishni Ashram, Raman reti , Chorasi Khamba temple, Mahavan, Brahmanda Ghat.
Baldev(Dauji)
It is like 25 kms away from Mathura, There is the temple of Dauji Maharaj(Krishna elder brother)
Rawal
Rawal is Radha Rani's birth place . It is about 9 k.m from Mathura towards Gokul. King Vrishbhanu found Radha Rani in a golden lotus flower in Yamuna river. Radha Rani didn't open her eyes until Krishna was born,she opened her eyes only when she had the first glimpse of Krishna. There is a small temple of Radha Rani in Rawal which is called Ladli-lal Mandir.
Due to the love and devotion for Radha- Krishna Hema Malini(the member of Parliament) had adopted this village and since then she has been taking care of this village.
