Vrindavan: Krishna's Spiritual Home

Vrindavan: Krishna’s Spiritual Home

Vrindavan is not just a town; it’s Krishna’s spiritual home. For devotees of Lord Krishna, Vrindavan holds a special place in their hearts. It is one of the most significant pilgrimage sites for those who worship Krishna. Here, the divine presence of Krishna is felt in every corner, from the sacred temples to the ancient groves. Pilgrims from around the world visit Vrindavan to connect with the divine. They immerse themselves in the love and devotion that permeate this holy land. Vrindavan: Krishna’s Spiritual Home was an unexpected adventure for me.

Encounter with Nilgai

We spotted a herd of Nilgai, or Blue Bull antelopes, as we entered Vrindavan. We stopped to admire and capture these majestic creatures on camera.

The Sacred Town of Vrindavan

Vrindavan is a temple town in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh. Although Krishna was born in Mathura, he spent his childhood in Vrindavan. The city is home to over 5,000 temples, dedicated to Radha and Krishna, revered by Vaishnavites. Vrindavan, named after the sacred groves of Tulsi (Holy Basil), holds deep spiritual significance in Hinduism.

First Stop: The ISKCON Temple

Our first stop was the ISKCON temple. While walking towards the restaurant, we noticed many foreigners dressed in traditional Indian attire; sarees, bindis, and bangles for women; kurtas, dhotis, and chotis for men. We were all ravenous by lunchtime and ordered thalis filled with delicious sattvic food.

Exploring the Temples

After the meal, we took a brief power nap while waiting for our auto-rickshaws. Vrindavan’s narrow lanes make it difficult for cars to navigate. We hired two auto-rickshaws, resembling golf carts, to explore the temples.

Sri Krishna-Balarama Temple

Our first temple visit was to the Sri Krishna-Balarama Temple, built by ISKCON. The principal deities are Krishna and Balram, accompanied by Radha-Shyamasundar and Gaura-Nitai. It also houses the samadhi of Swami Prabhupada, ISKCON’s founder. The atmosphere was vibrant, with devotees chanting and swaying to the music. We, too, were dancing in divine abandon.

The Historic Govinda Dev Temple

Vrindavan has a rich history intertwined with Hinduism. One of its oldest temples, the Govinda Dev Temple, was built in 1590. The town itself dates back to the early 16th century and was rediscovered by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in 1515. He identified the sacred sites associated with Krishna’s pastimes in and around Vrindavan.

Madan Mohan Temple

We then visited the Madan Mohan Temple near Kali Ghat. They moved the original idol of Lord Madan Gopal to Rajasthan during Aurangzeb’s rule for safekeeping. A replica is now worshipped at the temple.

Banke Bihari Temple

Our next stop was the famous Banke Bihari Temple, built in 1864. The temple has a unique tradition where the curtains before the idol are drawn every few minutes. This is to protect devotees from becoming overwhelmed by the deity’s beauty.

Radha Vallabh Temple

At Radha Vallabh Temple, instead of an idol, a crown representing Radharani is placed next to Lord Krishna.

The Legends of Vrindavan: Krishna’s Spiritual Home

Vrindavan abounds with legends and mysteries. We visited Kaliya Ghat, where Krishna subdued the serpent Kaliya. People believe that the ancient Kadamb tree at this site is blessed by Krishna. Circling it seven times can fulfil wishes.

The Mysteries of Nidhivan

People believe that Radha and Krishna perform Raas Lila every night in Nidhivan, one of Vrindavan’s most mysterious sites. It is believed, that the twisted Tulsi trees here represent Radha and Krishna with the gopis, adding to the site’s mystique. In a secluded spot, there is a room where Radha and Krishna rest after dancing. Each night the priest prepares the bed, leaves water and sweets, and then closes the temple. By morning, it is evident that someone has used the bed and consumed the water and sweets. Locals say no human has witnessed this divine dance and lived to tell the tale. Those who tried either vanished or lost their minds. Whether myth or truth, many believe in its power.

The Mischievous Monkeys

People also know Vrindavan for its mischievous monkeys. We laughed off the warnings until a cheeky monkey ran away with my friend’s glasses. A local offered to retrieve them for a small fee, using a Frooti to lure the monkey.

A Spiritual Experience

Vrindavan is a city drenched in spirituality. Colourful dresses, souvenirs and vibrant flower vendors are outside every temple. The city is alive with devotion to Radha and Krishna. My journey to Vrindavan was an enriching experience, filled with history, legends, and deep spiritual connections.