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Vrindavan
Population : 4,74,746
Languages : Hindi, Braj, and English
Best Time to Visit : October to March
STD Codes : 0565
Vrindavan is situated in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh
around 151 km south of Delhi. The place is just 10 km off
Mathura, the place where Lord Krishna is said to have spent
his childhood. Vrindavan is situated on the New Delhi–Chennai
and New Delhi–Mumbai main railway line. A meter-gauge line
connects Vrindavan to Mathura. There are quite a good number
of passenger trains plying between these two places.
Places of Interest
The Pagal Baba Temple has eleven stories in all and
is one of the more modern pieces of architecture. The temple’s
creator, Pagal Baba, died only a few years ago. His infectious
spirit lingers on in the playfulness of his disciples who
are ready to welcome one into the temple interior.
One of the most important and vibrant temples is the Bankey
Bihari Temple, where one can expect to see devotees engaged
in simple acts of worship such as ecstatically clashing small
cymbals together as they move in time to ancient rhythms.
The Bankey Bihari Temple houses a sacred image of Krishna
known as Thakkur Ji, which shows Krishna with an almost blackened
body.
The Govind Dev Temple was built in 1590 by Raja Man
Singh and now lies empty, its upper layers having been torn
down during the time of the Mughal emperor, Aurangzeb, who
doubtless considered the place one of idolatry. What remains
of this red sandstone edifice is impressive. If one takes
the time to examine the artwork and in particular, the vaulted
ceiling, one may experience a lot of the devotional fire that
inspired it in the first place.
The Rangaji Temple dates from 1851 and is a mixture
of architectural styles, including a Rajput entrance gate,
a soaring south Indian gopuram (gateway tower), and an Italianate
colonnade.
One of the most impressive temples is the ISKCON Temple,
which was built with funds from devotees overseas. Here, the
marble buildings almost glow with a light of their own and
there is evidence of intricate carving.
SITES NEARBY
Mathura is the place where according to Hindu mythology,
Lord Krishna born. The place is closely linked with many episodes
in the early life of Krishna. The main places to visit are
Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi, Vishram Ghat, Sati Burj, Kans Qila,
Jama Masjid, Dwarkadheesh Temple, and the Archeological Museum.
Gokul and Mahaban nearby are the places where Krishna
was secretly raised. Thousands of pilgrims visit these places
during the birthday festival of Lord Krishna (Janmashtami)
in July/August.
Barsana is the place where Krishna’s consort Radha
was born. The place is especially interesting during the festival
of Holi when the women of Barsana attack the men of nearby
village Nandgaon with sticks and play the Lathmar Holi.
An eighteenth-century stronghold of the Jat rajas with its
picturesquely contrived garden-cum-water palaces, Deeg
is a popular tourist rendezvous today. It is situated around
21 km off Vrindavan.
Agra, the capital of great Mughals and city of Taj
Mahal is around 67 km off Vrindavan.
WHERE TO STAY
There are not many options for accommodation in Vrindavan
barring some hotels and rest houses. The place does have around
200 dharamshalas where one can stay, but the services are
very simple or nonexistent. There are many ashrams also that
provide accommodation to the devotees.
HOW TO REACH
By Air
The nearest airport is Agra around 67 km away from Vrindavan.
There are regular flights to other important tourist destinations
of India such as Delhi, Mumbai, Varanasi, and Khajuraho. The
nearest international airport is Delhi, which is connected
to almost every important city in the world with major airlines.
By Rail
Though Vrindavan itself is a railway station, the major railway
station nearby is Mathura on the Delhi–Chennai and Delhi–Mumbai
main line. Several express trains connect Mathura from other
major cities of India like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore,
Calcutta, and Agra. Three local trains leave Mathura Junction
each day (6.30 am, 3.40 pm & 7.40 pm) for the station in the
south of Vrindavan.
By Road
Vrindavan is connected to Mathura and all other places of
interest in Braj by bus services and is on direct road link
from Delhi and Agra. Getting to Vrindavan from Mathura is
very easy as there are frequent buses, shared tempos, and
taxis available throughout the day.
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