Karshni Ashram (Raman Reti) – Braj Chaurasi Kos Yatra Devotees Rolling Over Sand

• • Mathura, Uttar Pradesh • Tags:
Braj Chaurasi Kos Yatra Devotees Rolling Over Sand at Karshni Ashram, Raman Reti (Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India)

Karshni Ashram, Raman Reti about 1 km approx. from Nand Bhawan and we stopped for lunch.

Karshni is a 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’s vast land is sand as it is situated on the banks of the Yamuna. Many religious gurus and saints visit Karshni Ashram for religious discourse, and a large gathering of devotees is present to listen to the same. Ramesh Bhi Ojha was present presenting pravachan (discourse).

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 were watching the river Yamuna from the top of the temple. Vast and white sand.

Beautiful – said I. It is said Nand Baba after Lord Krishna’s birth crossed the Yamuna river from this location only.

Next was Shri Bhuteshwar Mahadev Temple, approx. 14 km from Shanti Peeth.

About: Chintaharan Mahadev Temple (Mahavan)

• • Mathura, Uttar Pradesh •

Chintaharan Mahadev Temple is at Mahavan in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh.

We offer prayers and Prasad. The priest told us the story about the temple.

Once Kanhaiya (another name for Lord Krishna) ate clay. This was complained to Yashoda – the mother of Kanhaiya. The mother questioned Kanhaiya which Kanhaiya denied. He was asked to open his mouth to show his tongue. Kanhaiya opened his mouth and the Universe was present. Yashoda was amazed as well as worried a lot. During that time Akashvani (heavenly voice) occurred. Yashoda was suggested to visit the river Yamuna to meet a saint. Thus, she was pacified not to worry as the child was not an ordinary child. The child is the Lord himself. Chinta i.e., worry, thus, the saint Lord Shiva himself was named Chintaharan Mahadev, and the temple was built. The best thing about the shivling present within the temple is one shivling having 108 shivling within.

Prayers and we proceed towards another location closely related to Shri Chintaharan Mahadev’s story which is about 1 km approx.

Brahmand ghat – The place where Kanhaiya showed Yashoda Universe within his mouth.

Shri Dwarkadhish Temple (Mathura) – Built in 1814

• • Mathura, Uttar Pradesh •

The vehicle has to be stopped at Vishram ghat, and we have to proceed further to continue by walking about half a km.

Vishram Ghat at Mathura is 11 km from Vrindavan.

Shri Dwarkadhish Temple was about to close after afternoon prayers. We were told that 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 afar we saw the bulb above the entrance gate ON. We are lucky – said all of us.

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 it a lot. The time was short as we had to tour many temples I had to leave, but what I felt was that if enough time for 31 days, one could be present and watch traditional Holi songs with immense happiness within this temple of Braj.

And we move towards Vishram ghat to offer prayers. Vishram Ghat is surrounded by numerous other ghats as well as temples.

About: Shri Akrur Dham – Akrur Ghat

• • Mathura, Uttar Pradesh • Tags:

Shri Akrur Dham – The next stop after visiting Bhatrod Bihari Ji.

Kansa ordered Akrur (cousin uncle of Krishna) to bring Krishna and Balarama to Mathura. Akrur along with Lord Krishna and Balarama stopped his chariot at this location near the Yamuna river. During that time Akrur realized he wasn’t doing a good act because the moment they reached Mathura Kansa would kill both brothers. This thought of Akrur was known by Lord Krishna, and he stopped the sun for a few minutes. Surya Grahan (solar eclipse) occurred. Lord Krishna requested Akrur to bathe within the Yamuna as currently, a solar eclipse is going on. While bathing, Akrur saw the chariot all around within the Yamuna outside the Yamuna. He was confused. At that moment, Lord Krishna showed him his Chaturbhuji Roop. Akrur then realized the child was God himself. Thus a temple was built at this location named Akrur Dham – Akrur ghat.

It is believed having a bath within the river Yamuna during Kartik Poornima and during the Solar Eclipse is as equal to having a bath and a visit to Kurukshetra. In the year 1515 Chaitanya Mahaprabhu during the bath within the Yamuna river at this very location had feelings as equal as Akrur.

17th March, Holi (festival of colors) will be celebrated. 17th April, Hanuman Jayanti – said the priest. Very informative – said I, and we proceeded towards Dwarkadhish temple to further continue our journey.

About: Bhatrod Bihari ji Temple Also Known as Ashok Van

• • Mathura, Uttar Pradesh • Tags:
Bhatrod Bihari ji Temple (Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India)

Further continuing the next day we reach Bhatrod Bihari ji Temple – 4 km approx. from Vrindavan situated on top of a small hill. A few steps and we reach the temple. Picturesque locations all around, and I saw a peacock. It is always a pleasure to watch the same. Always colorful.

History of the temple? – We inquire from the priest.

As per Bhagwat Dasam Skanda’s third chapter, Lord Krishna was grazing cows in this very location and felt hungry. Few sages of Mathura were present performing Yagya. Krishna requested for food but it was not provided by them. But the wife of the sage offered Lord Krishna boiled rice to eat. Since that day the location has been named Bhatrod Bihari Ji.

Dahi Bhaat (curd-rice), Kadhi Bhaat they say was offered to Lord Krishna. The location around the temple is also known as Ashok Van.

About: Seva Kunj – The Divine Rasleela Place of Shri Krishna & Radharani

• • Mathura, Uttar Pradesh • Tags:
About: Seva Kunj (Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh, India)

In ancient Vrindavan, this picturesque and beautiful place, introduces the abundance of Lata-Kunj (creepers), in the middle of which is the beautiful temple of Shri Radharani ji, and near is the Darshaniye Lalita Kund. It is surrounded by four walls of red stone in the middle of the population of  Vrindavan city. According to the legend, even now every night there is a divine Rasleela of Shri Krishna and Radharani. At night no humans, animals, or birds stay here. Goswami Shri Hith Harvansh ji revealed this along with many other Leela places in the year 1590.

Click to learn more about Seva Kunj.