Vrindavana and Mathura
Vrindavana and Mathura, 135km south of Delhi, are the most important places
of pilgrimage for devotees of Krishna. Krishna was born in Mathura and spent
his childhood in Vrindavana. There are over 5,000 temples in Vrindavana.
Yamuna
River
The Yamuna river flows through Vrindavan and Mathura. It is the most sacred
river in India as it is so intimately connected with Krishna's pastimes.
Situated on the bank of the Yamuna is the Keshi Ghat, where Krishna killed
the Keshi demon and saved his friends. One who bathes here gets the
benediction of bathing in all of the holy places.
Krishna Balarama Mandir
This beautiful marble temple was constructed twenty years ago. There are
Deities of Gaura-Nitai, Krishna Balarama and Radha-Syamasundara. In front of
the temple is the Samadhi Mandir of Srila Prabhupada. This is where his body
was laid to rest after he passed away in 1977. His house has been turned
into a museum. There is also a guesthouse, restaurant, gurukula and
goshalla.
Jagannatha Puri
Jagannatha Puri is approximately 60km from Orissa's state capital,
Bhubaneswar. It is considered by many Hindus to be one of the four holiest
places (dhamas) and is particularly revered by Vaisnavas as the home of
Krishna in his form of Jagannatha, Lord of the Universe, as well as being
the site of many of the pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Puri is also
known as 'Sri Purusottama Dhama' or 'Martya Vaikuntha', the abode of Lord
Visnu on earth. Other names are Sriksetra (best of all sacred centres),
Purusottama Ksetra (the abode of the supreme being), Nilachal, Nalagiri,
Sankha Ksetra, and Jagannatha Dhama.
The Temple of Lord Jagannatha is one of the major temples in India. The
worship of Lord Jagannatha is so ancient that there is no accurate record of
how long it has been going on. It is strictly forbidden for non-Hindus to
enter the Jagannatha temple.
Govardhan
Govardhan is situated 26 km west of Mathura on the state highway to Deeg. A
famous place of Hindu pilgrimage, Govardhan is located on a narrow sandstone
hill known as Giriraj which is about 8 km in length. The young Lord Krishna
is said to have held Giriraj up on the tip of a finger for 7 days and nights
to shield the people of Braj from the deluge of rain sent down by Lord
Indra.Govardhan is set along the edge of a large masonry tank known as the
Mansi Ganga, which is believed to have been brought into existence by the
operation of the divine will.
