Braj Chaurasi Kos Yatra Devotees at Tamaal Kunj

Braj Chaurasi Kos Yatra Devotees at Tamaal Kunj, Vrindavan (Uttar Pradesh, India)

Shri Radha Vallabh Ji Mandir

Sri Sri RadhaShyamSundar mandir

Shri Radha Damodar Mandir

After visiting above all temples during ‘Braj Chaurasi Kos Yatra‘ we entered Tamaal Kunj along with Swami Ramanand ji.

Tamaal Kunj is close to Shri Radha Damodar mandir. It is a location for bhajan. Shri Balkrishna Ji Maharaj and many other saints used to perform Bhajan at this very location years ago. Since then, people visit early morning as well as evening hours to sing bhajan or join people during Bhajan hours. We did the same. Immense happiness and towards Bhakth Shiromani Shri Mirabai mandir.

Shree Sita Ram Mandir – Also Known as World Famous Temple for Sava Mann Ke Shaligram

Shree Sita Ram Mandir to visit? – Braj Chaurasi Kos Yatra – Next temple?

Shree Sita Ram mandir is also known as World famous temple for Sava Mann Ke Shaligram.

Shree Ram – a devotee was present, narrated The History of Shree Sita Ram Mandir as follows:

Shaligram is a pious stone found only at Gandaki River, Nepal. Two Shaligrams – one of Sava Mann and another one of Ek Mann are worshiped within the said temple. Sava Mann Shaligram is known as Laxmi Narayan and One Mann as Laxmi Narsingh. Ram Laxman, Krishna Balrama – The name was given by the devotees of Braj to these two pious stones. Earlier it was a small pious stone worshiped by a Marwari family within Fatehpur Shekhawati, Sikar, Rajasthan. It is said as there were fewer opportunities existing within those days at Sikar, Rajasthan, the Marwari family decided to shift to Hyderabad for business but before moving requested their family Guru to bless them so that their business would be successful in Hyderabad. The Guru gave them a small pious stone i.e., Shaligram to worship for the success of their upcoming business. The lady of the house started worshiping Shaligram at Hyderabad but one day the pious stone disappeared. She was very sad and started crying. That night Shaligram God appeared within her dream and told her not to worry as he is within the house but wishes to be worshiped by Tulsi – not available commonly within Hyderabad those days in the year 1723 thus, shift him to Vrindavan where there is lots-n-lots of Tulsi is present. The lady the next day found Shaligram within the mouse hole but to dig a hole one has to take permission from the Nizam of the area. Shaligram was found but it suddenly turns into a huge – Sava Man – weight. Upon the request from the lady, Nizam transferred Shaligram to Vrindavan through his workers which were fishermen. The lady also came along with Shaligram and stayed at Vrindavan forever.

In the year 1823 Jalan families built the temple.

Re: One Mann Shaligram once a saint was having a bath within the Gandaki River in Nepal and found the same. He brought One Mann Shaligram to this temple for worship in the year 1728. 1867 the temple was taken by Rangnath temple since then it is run by them.

Seva Kunj – A Place of Divine Rasleela of Shri Krishna and Radharani

Seva Kunj with Pilu trees – Yes, what I guess is only found within Vrindavan and surrounding areas. We are now at Seva Kunj also known as Nikunj Van – Full of Pilu trees and said to be the resting place of Lord Krishna and Radha. I can imagine how Vrindavan was years ago the moment I enter Seva Kunj. It is said and believed Lord Krishna at this very location offered services to Radha when she was tired. There is a very beautiful Radha temple within Seva Kunj – a must-watch. And a little further a Well named as Lalita Kund. It is believed during raas-leela (holy dance) when Lalita – one of the friends of Radha felt thirsty Lord Krishna with his flute dug into the earth for water to quench her thirst. Lalita, Vishakha was the most lovable friend of Radha. It is believed during night hours even today Lord Krishna and Radha visit Seva Kunj and nobody is allowed to be inside the area. Even animals for example monkeys too leave this place at night. Seva Kunj is surrounded by high-raised walls from all sides. In recent years Shri Shyamanand Prabhu Ji got the Ghunghroo (ankle belt with metallic bells) of Shree Radha Rani Ji during daily sweeping of the area called as Sohni Sewa*. One day Lord Krishna, Radha appeared – tilaka was done on the forehead of Shri Shyamanand Prabhu Ji by Lord Krishna and thus Swami Ji had darshan (a glimpse of the Lord). Sewa Kunj is approx. 5,500 years old but was re-discovered by Goswami Shri Hith Harvansh Ji in the year 1590.

*Sohni Sewa – To clean the ground or a location with utmost devotion.

Bolo Radha Rani ki Jai

Shree Radha Ras Bihari Asta Sakhi Temple – The first Indian Temple Dedicated to the Divine Couple and their Ashta Sakhi

We offer prayers at Madan Mohan Temple and walk towards nearby Shree Radha Ras Bihari Asta Sakhi Temple.

King Ramnavmi Chakravarty from Hidampur, Kolkata left all his empire and visited Vrindavan to offer prayers to sing bhajans of Lord Krishna as he heard Lord Krishna till-date visit Vrindavan to perform Raas. One day he saw Radha in his dreams requesting him to make a temple within Vrindavan along with Eight Sakhis. The King immediately went to Jaipur to meet sculptures to make Eight Sakhi deities along with Radha Krishna deity who he later installed within the temple. The temple Shri Radha Ras Bihari Asta Sakhi is approx. 350 years old.

Within the temple, we saw eight Sakhis of Radha – Lalita, Vishakha, Indulekha, Champaklata, Su Devi, Rang Devi, Chitra, and Tung Devi. It was never seen before within any temple we visited till-date and Yes, of course, knowledge enhanced. Prayers!!!

Madan Mohan Temple – Sanatan Goswami Used to Worship Here

Madan Mohan Temple, Vrindavan (Uttar Pradesh, India)

Another day, another journey but since last night most of us were tired so am I. Past few days of continuously rigorous travel. Today we decided to tour Vrindavan City – Madan Mohan temple was our first visit.

Beautiful isn’t it? The temple was built by Multan businessman Ramdas. Before the temple’s existence, Sanatan Goswami used to pray, and worship Madan Mohan Ji at this location. Madan Mohan Ji was a 5 years old child discovered near the Yamuna river, Mathura brought up by Onkarnath Chaubey. One day during regular walks for alms Sanatan Goswami Ji reached Onkarnath Chaubey’s house and saw the child while playing with his friends turn himself into a deity to hide. The day he realized he was none other than God himself.

The temple was destroyed by Mughal ruler Aurangzeb. He demolished the dome of the temple and took the precious stone present above but somehow deity was saved as Maharaja of Jaipur shifted Govind Ji, Gopinath Ji, and Madan Mohan Ji deities to Jaipur. Later Madan Mohan Ji’s deity was shifted to Karauli, Rajasthan. It is said The Maharaja of Jaipur donated Madan Mohan Ji deity to her daughter during the marriage ceremony. What we nowadays watch within the temple is the replica of the original deity. During Sawan month as well as Kartik month there is a huge rush of devotees to offer prayers and offerings.

We offer prayers and walk towards the nearby Shri Radha Ras Bihari Asta Sakhi temple.

Any Pollution Checking Center for Vehicles in Vrindavan?

Pollution Check Centre, National Highway 2, Hodal (Palwal, Haryana, India)

I do not know much about Vrindavan but yes, at a petrol pump, Junction Road, Sonkh Adda, Mathura there is a center where one can obtain an emission check certificate also known as Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate.

If not, Hodal (Palwal, Haryana) approx. 30+ km from Vrindavan on National Highway 2 on the left side (after crossing the Uttar Pradesh border) there is a petrol pump with 24 hours open Pollution Under Control Center.

I received an emission check certificate for the motorcycle at Hodal, Haryana.

Vimal Kund – Lord Krishna, Nand Baba, and Devki had a Bath within this Reservoir

Vimal Kund, Kaman (Bharatpur, Rajasthan, India)

And another destination – Vimal Kund in the Bharatpur district of Rajasthan after visiting Shri Aadi Badri Dham and Kedarnath.

It is said Lord Krishna, Nand Baba, and Devki had a bath within this reservoir. A local person enhanced our knowledge. He showed us Suraj Ghat and Gau Ghat. The place where we are standing is the feet of the Lord and opposite is the head of the Lord and the right and left arms are on both sides of the reservoir. Wow – we all with folded hands – prayers. Few thoughts of bath and they entered the Kund, no matter if it was late evening hours. I was too tired by now. I offer prayers and walk towards the vehicle for rest.