Temples around Vrindavan: Braj Chaurasi Kos Yatra

Chaurasi ( 84 ) Kos Yatra. Today is a new day – new destinations to visit. Madhuvan – today’s first destination.

Madhuvan is 16 km approx. from Vrindavan.

You haven’t listened Bhagawat questioned the priest. I accepted – No. And a thought now-onwards will try.

Another question Where are you from?

Mumbai – said I.

Oh Ho Mumbai. The temple was renovated by a Mumbai devotee and he continues with the story:

The name of the location is Madhuvan. During Satyug due to scold by mother, Dhruv visited this location at the age of five. Sage Narad offered him Mantra “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevay“. Dhruv chanted this mantra for 6 months and Lord Narayana himself appeared. Also during Dwapar Yug Lord Krishna came here and graze his cows.

And I question: Why the name of the location is Madhuvan?

It is said Braj is located on top of Madhu. Madhu and Ketab were two demons. Madhu was killed by Lord Narayana at this location and Ketab was killed at Naimsaran.

Very useful information – isn’t it. I was not aware about the same. Thanks to priest. And lots of trees around the temple-area. Dense it is. I question: What type of trees are these all around the temple?

Kikar tree also known as Babul.

Thank you Baba – said I and we proceed towards another destination i.e., Krishna Kund.

Krishna Kund is 2 km approx. from Madhuvan.

After having Charnamrit (Prasad) we all sat around temple priest anxiously to know the next story – The story of Krishna Kund.

The priest narrated as follows:

Four Yug Devtaa is present within Madhuvan.

Satyuga Devtaa is Dhruv.

Behind is Shatrughan temple who killed Lavnasur demon. Shatrughan was the brother of Lord Rama. It is the story of Treta Yug.

Lord Krishna during Dwapar Yug graze cattle within this area. When cowherd felt thirst Lord Krishna with his flute dig the earth and water came out and the location is named as Krishna Kund.

And finally Kalyug i.e., now-a-days we all pray to God: Bas tera sahara i.e., God you the Lord, You the saver.

In-short: Madhuvan is the location where Dhruv, Shatrughan, Krishna visited during various Yug.

Prayers and another drive towards another destination passing through villages, fields – muddy road – tour the best for sure.

village road

Balbhadra mandir & Balbhadra Kund

Balbhadra mandir & Balbhadra Kund is at Talvan approx. 4 km from Krishna Kund and the story:

Under the patronage of Kans, Dhenakasur – The demon created havoc within Talvan. Talvan during those days having lots of fruit trees. Dhenakasur used to visit as donkey at this location. Whoever (cowheards) visit fruit garden Dhenakasur killed the person.

There was a boy named as Shri Dama who was very famous within cowherds. He told all about the demon to Lord Krishna. He requested Lord Krishna his brother Balarama to visit Talvan. Lord Krishna, Balarama visited and killed the demon Dhenakasur. Thus, Talavan people were happy and in peace. Below is the wall hanging where the story is beautifully displayed. Thanks to the artist.

Lord Krishna and Balarama punishing demon Dhenakasur

Lord Krishna created a reservoir here known as Balbhadra Kunda while playing along with his brother Balarama. This is only temple within the world as said having Lord Krishna, brother Balarama and her wife Revti standing within one frame.

Ladies after prayers walked towards the reservoir to offer prayers and we join.

Next drive is towards Kumudvan Gangasagar. Kumudvan Gangasagar is 7 km approx. from Balbadra mandir & Balbadra Kund, Talvan and is also known as Ksheer Sagar.

An old person was present within the temple. As usual the request to share the story and he narrated:

I can not predict about the older days because I was not present but what I have heard from older people is sharing with you. It is name as Gangasagar. Earlier it was also known as Kumudvan because Lord Vishnu visited the location. Kumud is lotus. It is said Lord Krishna also visited and requested four dhams to appear at this place so that Nand Baba, Devki and Vasudev is able to have glimpse.

“Saare Teerath Baar Baar, Gangasagar Ek baar” – the famous quote said the old man. Even Kapil muni ( sage ) visited this location after doing meditation for 10,000 years. We all know about another Gangasagar at Bengal. During Makarsankranti huge rush of devotees is there to offer prayers and to visit Kapil Muni temple. Regarding this Gangasagar it is said for four months all four dhams reside at this location.

One of us questioned what are those four months?

Sawan, Magh, Bhadon, Kartik

Even 84 crores devi devtaa visit during this period – He said.

Prayers and all walking towards another ashram close-by.

Shri Pad Peeth Shri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu temple

chaurasi lac yoni

And I read the display talking about chaurasi i.e., 84 lac yoni. Very interesting to know how as per Hindu we pass through various forms of living beings finally to have human body.

Anyways, Mridang, Dholak, Khartal, Chimta, Kanjira, dafli was with us and within the temple. The atmosphere within the temple was brilliant. Devotees dancing singing bhajan – Hari Bol Hari Bol Hari Bol – Radhe Radhe Radhe Radhe

Electrifying effect. Group singing is so powerful always.

And another destination – Chandra Sarovar.

Chandra Sarovar is approx. 23 km from Kumudvan Gangasagar.

The temple was closed as it was afternoon hours we decided to have lunch.

lunchtime

We tried our best to carry lunch along with us and few fruits and packed drinking water which is very necessary part of the tour.

After lunch after few minutes of rest we walk towards the temple and on-request the priest said the story about the location:

Lord Krishna during Maharaas stopped Moon to disappear and to be constant visible for 6 months from this location i.e., why the location is named as Chandra Sarovar and not to forget there is a pond also named as Chandra Sarovar. And if you do not know it is the place of Great Great Kavi – Surdas who wrote Sursagar. He spent 73 years at this very location and died at the age of 105 years. Surdas wish was to write 1.25 lacs pad but were able to write only 1 lac. It is said the other 25 thousand pad was written by Lord Krishna and Sursagar was also known as SurShyam. Surdas father name was Ramdas who himself was a great learned musician.

We were guided to visit Kuti of Surdas as well as Samadhi of Surdas. No words to describe about the experience because within books I have read till-date about the great poet Surdas and today I am at a location where the great poet spent 73 years of his life and his Samadhi is also present. We all went together sat close to Samadhi silently.

Pilu tree merging with Kadam tree close to Surdas ji samadhi. There is an old well near the samadhi. Once Surdas fall into the well but was saved by Lord Krishna – we were told.

What an experience – What a tour – will say.

Sur Kuti

Surdas samadhi

( Surdas was born in samwat 1535 and left in samwat 1640 )

We climb upstairs to watch surroundings with Swami Ramanand ji maharaj. He was showing us Giriraj Parbat where we have to proceed next. It was far but visible but what very close I saw was:

Isn’t that interesting?

Very natural surroundings. What it was 5000 years back – a question. Heaven maybe – the answer.

And towards Chandra Sarovar. Restoration work was going on. Swami Ramanand ji maharaj was with us. He showed us installed statues around Chandra Sarovar and for our knowledge he named each statue one-by-one:

1. Chaturbhuj Das ji

2. Sheer Swami (disciple of Vallabhacharya)

3. Surdas

4. Govind Swami

5. Nand Das

6. Kumbhan Das

7. Parmanand Das

8. Krishna Das

Thank you swami ji for enhancing our knowledge about all great saints. Thanks a lot.

5 km more drive and we stop at Daan Ghati temple as it is the start of the Giriraj Parikrama. A visit to Shri Giriraj ji Maharaj temple.

Shri Giriraj ji Maharaj temple

Devotees before starting the journey visit the temple and then for 21 km journey. Few walk or use vehicles or many you will watch doing sashtang dandwat. It is said once for 7 days there was continuous raining. Braj people were scared. That time Lord Krishna lift Giriraj – The mountain on his left hand finger and save villagers from rain.

We did the parikrama by our vehicle.

fyi: The start of journey and on the right-hand side there is samadhi of Sant Gaya Prasad ji. We all stop vehicle and a visit.

samadhi of Sant Gaya Prasad ji

The best about them I found was they never accept money as donation. A display board clearly written not to offer any amount of money or whatever. There is a small glass covered makeshift place where you will find Kadam tree, feet of Lord Krishna, Lord Hanuman, peacock, Mother Yashoda, Kanhaiya, Lord Narsinh, Cow and many other carvings naturally done within shilas (stones). There stones are finding of Krishnadas – disciple of Sant Gaya Prasad ji. He showed us all one by one. Trust and one can really watch all said within the stones. Incredible – said I. And continuing our Parikrama.

Punchari Ka Lautha – another temple on the way. We stop.

Punchari Ka Lautha