Bhatrod Bihari ji temple
Next day we reach Bhatrod Bihari ji temple. It is 4 km approx. from Vrindavan situated on top of a small hill. Few steps and we reach temple. Picturesque location all around and I saw peacock. It is always pleasure to watch the same. Always colorful.
History of the temple? And we inquire from the priest.
As per Bhagwat dasam skanda third chapter Lord Krishna was grazing cows as this very location and felt hunger. Few sages of Mathura were present performing Yagya. Krishna requested for food but was not provided by them. But the wife of sage offered Lord Krishna boiled rice to eat. Since that day the location is named as Bhatrod Bihari ji.
Dahi Bhaat ( curd-rice ), Kadhi Bhaat they say was offered to Lord Krishna. The location around temple is also known as Ashok Van ( jungle ).
Close to Bhatrod Bihari ji temple is Shri Akrur Dham.
Shri Akrur Dham – Akrur Ghat
Kansa ordered Akrur – cousin uncle of Lord Krishna and Balarama to bring both to Mathura. Akrur along with Lord Krishna and Balarama stopped his chariot at this location near Jamuna river. During that time Akrur realized he is not doing a good act because the moment they will reach Mathura Kansa will kill both brothers. This thought of Akrur was known by Lord Krishna and he stopped Sun for few minutes. Surya Grahan ( solar eclipse ) occured. Lord Krishna requested Akrur to bath within Yamuna as currently solar eclipse is going-on. While bathing Akrur saw chariot all around within Yamuna outside Yamuna. He was confused. At that moment Lord Krishna showed him his Chaturbhuji roop. Akrur then realized the child is God himself. Thus a temple was built at this location named as Akrur Dham – Akrur ghat.
It is believed having bath within river Yamuna during Kartik Poornima and during Solar Eclipse is as equal as having bath and visit to Kurukshetra. In the year 1515 Chaitanya Mahaprabhu during bath within Yamuna river at this very location had feelings as equal as Akrur.
17 th March Holi will be celebrated. 17 th April Hanuman Jayanti – said the priest.
Very informative – said I and we proceed towards Dwarkadhish temple. The vehicle has to be stopped at Vishram ghat and we have to proceed further walking about half km. Vishram ghat at Mathura is 11 km from Vrindavan. Temple was about to close after afternoon prayers. We were told if the bulb outside the main gate of the temple is On it indicates the temple is open. If Off the gates of the temple are closed. We were walking fast and from far we saw the bulb above the entrance gate On. We are lucky – said all of us.
Shri Dwarkadhish temple, Mathura
Holi songs were in full swing by Braj Fag Dwarkesh Rasiya Mandal. After praying Dwarkadhish I stop to watch. Traditional and Electrifying effect – I felt. I enjoyed a lot. The time was short as we have to tour many temples I have to leave but what I felt was if enough time for 31 days one can be present and watch traditional Holi songs with immense happiness within temples of Braj.
And we move towards Vishram ghat to offer prayers. Vishram ghat is surrounded by numerous other ghat as well as temples.
Temples around Vishram ghat, Mathura
Vishram ghat, Mathura
Next we proceed towards Karshni Ashram situated at Raman Reti.
16 km approx. from Vishram Ghat, Mathura is the distance. As the temple was closed during afternoon hours we proceed further.
Chintaharan Mahadev temple – our next stop.
devotees at Chintaharan Mahadev temple, Mahavan, Mathura
We offer prayers and Prasad. The priest told us the story about the temple.
Once Kanhaiya ( another name of Lord Krishna ) ate clay. This was complained to Yashoda – mother of Kanhaiya. Mother questioned Kanhaiya which Kanhaiya denied. He was asked to open mouth to show tongue. Kanhaiya opened mouth and Universe was present. Yashoda was amazed as well as worried a lot. During that time Akashvani occurred. Yashoda was suggested to visit river Yamuna to meet a saint. Thus she was pacified not to worry as the child is not an ordinary child. The child is Lord himself. Chinta i.e., worry thus the saint Lord Shiva himself was named as Chintaharan Mahadev and temple was built. The best about the shivling present within the temple is one shivling is having 108 shivling within. Prayers and I walk around to be with nature.
parrot near Chintaharan Mahadev temple
fields around Shri Chintaharan Mahadev temple
And we proceed towards another location closely related with Shri Chintaharan Mahadev story and is about 1 km approx.
Brahma ghat – The place where Kanhaiya showed Yashoda Universe within his mouth.
Kanhaiya
Brahmand ghat temple
narration about Brahmand ghat
And I walk around to meet beautiful calves.
calves close-by Brahmand ghat
And a six leg cow. Amazing – never saw ever what I was watching.
World always full of surprises.
six leg cow
Prayers!!!
Okhal Bandhan – The next stop approx. 3 km from Brahmand ghat.
Okhal Bandhan the last leela of Shri Krishna at Gokul and starting of Braj. Braj was created by Lord Krishna within 84 kos to remove suffering of human from chaurasi lakh yoni.
Shri Nand Bhawan Chaurasi Khamba, Mahavan, Old Gokul just close-by – The location. Lord Krishna and Balarama lived during childhood days. There are 84 Khamba i.e., 84 pillars present and said to be from the days of Lord Krishna about 5500 years old. The priest handed over string to move cradle where Lord Krishna is present. It is called Jhula. The very first experience which was nice.
Karshni Ashram, Raman Reti about 1 km approx. from Nand Bhawan and we stop for lunch.
Karshni very nice location to visit. It is said during childhood Kahnhaiya ( Lord Krishna ) used to play at this very location. Devotees till-date visit and roll themselves within sands. The ashram vast land is sand as situated on the banks of Yamuna. Many religious Guru, Saints visit Karshni Ashram for religious discourse and large gathering of devotees present to listen the same. Ramesh Bhi Ojha was present presenting pravachan.
Ramesh Bhai Ojha
And the journey towards Shanti Peeth, Nayi Gokul approx. 2 km from Karshni Ashram. Vallabha Acharya founded pushtimarg. Shanti Peeth is one of them. The temple window was open. We watching river Yamuna from top of the temple. Vast and white sand.
Beautiful – said I. It is said Nand Baba after Lord Krishna birth crossed Yamuna river from this location only.
Next was Shri Bhuteshwar Mahadev temple approx. 14 km from Shanti Peeth.
Shri Bhuteshwar Mahadev temple
Prayers as always and the knowledge:
Shri Bhuteshwar Mahadev is called as Kotwal of Braj.� Shri Bhuteshwar Mahadev was established by Madhu (Ketab – brother) – The first King of Mathura. During Sawan five Mondays there is huge rush of devotees. Prayers and we proceed further.
Shri Krishna Janmasthan – The next temple and we saw the prison where Lord Krishna was born. Aarti was going-on and we join.
Potra Kund close to the Shri Krishna Janmasthan. We stop. It is said during childhood days Lord Krishna clothes were washed at this pond. 1838 Maratha general Mahad ji ( Madhav ji ) Sindhia got it constructed.
Finally the day was over and we proceed towards Vrindavan – approx. 20 km from Krishna Janmasthan.
70 plus km tiring but knowledgeable day for sure. The best is – watching knowing India so closely always the best specially temples, history, villages and the people of India.
The journey continues…
Beautiful pictures… especially the parrot one.