9 million times aquatic, 20 million times trees, stones, etc. immovable, 11 million times worms, 10 million times bird, and 30 million times animal birth, then, a human being is born.
(Types of 84 Lakh Births – This photo was taken at Shri Pad Peeth Shri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Temple, Kumudvan Gangasagar in Mathura (Uttar Pradesh)).
Chandra Sarovar is approx. 23 Kms from Kumudvan Gangasagar.
The temple was closed as it was afternoon hours we decided to have lunch.
We tried our best to carry lunch along with us and a few fruits and packed drinking water.
After lunch after a few minutes of rest, we walked towards the temple, and on request, the priest told The History of Chandra Sarovar as follows:
Lord Krishna during Maharaas stopped the Moon from disappearing and being constantly visible for 6 months from this location i.e., why the location is named Chandra Sarovar, and not to forget there is a pond also named 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 (verses) but was 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’s father’s 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 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 and 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.
(Surdas was born in samwat 1535 and left in samwat 1640)
We climb upstairs to watch the surroundings with Swami Ramanand Ji Maharaj. He was showing us Giriraj Parbat where we have to proceed next. It was far but visible.
Isn’t that interesting?
Very natural surroundings. What it was 5,000 years back – a question. Heaven may be – 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 to 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.
Balbhadra Temple & Balbhadra Kund is at Talvan in Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh, approx. 4 km from Krishna Kund.
Another drive towards another destination passing through villages, fields – muddy road. And the story:
Under the patronage of Kans, Dhenakasur – The demon created havoc within Talvan. Talvan during those days had lots of fruit trees. Dhenakasur used to visit as a donkey at this location. Whoever (cowherds) visit the fruit garden, Dhenakasur killed the person.
There was a boy named Shri Dama who was very famous among cowherds. He told all about the demon to Lord Krishna. He requested Lord Krishna and his brother Balarama to visit Talvan. Lord Krishna, Balarama visited and killed the demon Dhenakasur. Thus, Talvan people were happy and at peace.
A wall hanging where the story is beautifully displayed. Thanks to the artist.
Lord Krishna created a reservoir here known as Balbhadra Kunda while playing along with his brother Balarama. This is the only temple in 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.
Shri Bhuteshwar Mahadev is called Kotwal of Braj. Shri Bhuteshwar Mahadev was established by Madhu (Ketab – brother) – The first King of Mathura. During ‘Sawan‘ five Mondays there is a huge rush of devotees.
Prayers, and we proceed further to continue our journey.
After visiting Samadhi of Surdas and Chandra Sarovar 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.
Devotees before starting Giriraj parikrama visit the temple and then for a 21 km journey. Few walk or use vehicles and many you will watch doing Sashtang Dandwat.
It is said that for 7 days there was continuous rain. Braj people were scared. That time Lord Krishna lifted Giriraj – The mountain on his left-hand finger to create a shelter to save villagers from rain.
We did the parikrama by our hired vehicles because of a few old devotees and also to save time to continue our journey.
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.
Brown Sand Boa Snake also Known as Do-muha – This photo was taken at Karshni Ashram, Ramanreti in Mathura (Uttar Pradesh).
Six-Legged Cow – This photo was taken near Brahmand Ghat in Mathura (Uttar Pradesh).
Brahmand Ghat is the place where Shree Krishna ate clay and upon query by foster-mother Yashoda, he showed the entire universe in his mouth.