Sri Radharani Mandir, Rawal Gaon in Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh – the birthplace of Sri Radha was our next stop during ‘Braj Chaurasi Kos Yatra‘ which is about 20 approx. km from Vrindavan. We all sat down in front of the temple deity. Pandit Lalit Mohan narrated Katha (story in general):

The one you are watching behind the main deity is Garbhgriha i.e., Janamsthan – The location where Radha appeared. During those years Yamuna River used to flow at this location and on the banks of Jamuna Vrishbhan had a palace. Vrishbhan (with 11 lacs cows) was the biggest King of Braj. There was no girl child of Kirti Ji (wife). Kirti Ji used to bathe in the Yamuna River and on a daily basis, she prayed to the river Yamuna to offer her a girl child. One day during the early morning hours when it was still dark she saw a lotus flower appear and started flowing into the water toward Kirti Ji. The moment the lotus appeared, a bright light appeared all around. She was scared by the new change in the environment. As the flower came near morning Sun appeared and the flower bloomed. Kirti saw a girl child with closed eyes within the flower, and thus Radha was born. It is said Radha’s eyes weren’t open till the age of 11 months and 15 days. After 11 months, and 15 days, Lord Krishna was born. Vasudev took him to Gokul at Nand Baba place due to Kans fear, as it is known, Kans killed a child born by Devki. Nand Baba invited everybody to celebrate Krishna’s birth. Vrishbhan, Kirti were also invited. Lord Krishna was within Palna (bassinet). At that moment, Radha saw Krishna, and she opened her eyes.

Kans entered Gokul by sending a demoness Putna. She ordered Putna to kill all newborn children. Putna created havoc within Gokul. People were frightened. Nand Baba invited kings including Gop Grant, Op Grant, Vrishbhan Ji, and many others, and had a meeting about what to do as Kans is creating havoc within the area. Finally, it was decided to leave. Nand Baba left Gokul and stayed within a mountain which was named Nand Gaon. Vrishbhan said to Kirti dearest friend Nand left Gokul, so what I will do without a friend he too left for a mountain along with Kirti and Radha, and the mountain was named Barsana. Within Braj all these three mountains – Nand Gaon, Govardhan, and Barsana are almost God. These mountains had blessings from Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh that no evil or demon will be able to reach. If tried, evil or demons will turn into stone.

Within Rawal Radha is called Shri Ladli. Within Barsana Radha is called Shri Kishori ji.
There is a Karil tree within the temple area (near Garbhgriha) where the deity of Radha Ji was found by the forefathers (Parmanand Vyas came from Jodhpur, Rajasthan) of the current priest. The best is the current Karil tree is not having any roots and is still green. Raskhan after doing the yatra of Braj visited Rawal and had a darshan of Radha.

(Nand baba was having 9 lacs cows. People having the maximum number of cows were called the richest person during those times)

Very useful information by Pandit Ji. We sat and sang bhajan for a few minutes.

Prayers and we proceed towards another destination.

Temple Timings:
Summer
6 am – 12 Noon
4 pm – 8 pm

Winter
6 am – 12:30 Noon
4 pm – 7 pm

Bhandirvan is situated at Mat tehsil in Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh and is 9 km approx. from Belwan. A few days back we visited Bhandirvan but that day was Fulariya Duj day when Shri Radha–Krishna‘s marriage was held.

*Om Bhardwaj Ji (0-9897243489) and his wife Poonam welcomed all devotees. More introduction to the location was narrated by Om Bhardwaj Ji. Kadhi Chawal, Roti as Prasad was distributed. We ate with immense happiness. Thanks to him, and we proceed further.

*Om Bhardwaj has vast knowledge about Braj. He also writes articles for newspapers.

Belwan is 18 km approx. from Vrindavan and is famous for the Sri Mahalaxmi Mandir. It is said that during Maha Raas Lord Krishna played the flute and all devatas started flying within Pushpa Vimana towards Braj. Goddess Mahalaxmi was watching the same questioned Sage Narad. Narad replied Shri Krishna is organizing Maha Raas thus devatas are leaving. This created curiosity within the Goddess. She left Vaikunta towards Braj to watch Maha Raas. The moment she tried to enter Maha Raas Gopi Lalita, Vishakha stopped her. Goddess Mahalaxmi started laughing at the act of gopi then Lord Krishna questioned the Goddess why she was trying to enter Maha Raas without an invitation. Krishna said if you wish to watch Maha Raas first, you have to worship for years as equal as Gopi did for years. If your worship is liked by Gopi I will invite you to watch Maha Raas. It is said since 5500 years till-date Mahalaxmi has been worshiping Lord Krishna within Belwan. It is also said that once Goddess Mahalaxmi felt alone on earth as at Vaikunta there are many devatas around. Then Lord Krishna appeared as a child and requested for food. As there was no food available within the jungle, the goddess offered the child rice. Since then till-date each day Khichdi Bhandara has been prepared within the temple premises and first offered to Goddess Mahalaxmi and then distributed to devotees. It is believed that during Poush mas (December-January) Mahalaxmi arrived at this location from Vaikunta thus one-month Mela is held and lakhs of devotees arrive to worship Goddess Mahalaxmi. It is believed that only when Mahalaxmi wishes, then a devotee will be able to visit the Belwan Mahalaxmi temple. In earlier days there were lots-n-lots of Bael trees all around, thus the name of the location is Belwan.

Click to learn more about Sri Mahalakshmi Mandir (Belvan)

Temple Timings:
Winter
6 am – 1 pm
3 pm – 7 pm

Summer
5 am – 12 pm
4 pm – 8 pm

108 Names of Lord Shankar as follows:

Bholenath, Bhootnath, Natraj, Nandi ki Sawari, Mahakaal, Baidnath, Damrudhari, Mallikarjun, Vishdhari, Onkar Swami, Trishuldhari, Anadidev, Umapati, Ganpati, Shivji, Shambhu ji, Mahakaleshwar, Trilokinath, Gangadhari, Jagatpitadhari, Badrinath, Lankeshwardhari, Kedarnath, Ardhnarishwar, Nagarjun, Neeleshwar, Deenanath, Jogibaba, Hathyogi, Nagdhiraj, Bhaskar, Trilokdarshi, Swami, Mukteshwar, Mahadev, Girjapati, Bhibhunath, Kirateshwar, Bheelpati, Kailashpati, Bhimashankar, Jyotirling, Rudranath, Ulaykari, Chandradhari, Bhameshwar, Bambhole, Onkareshwar, Vishwanath, Umashankar, Gauripati, Shankar, Neelkanth, Tripurari, Trinetradhari, Barfanibaba, Mritunjay, Parmeshwar, Rameshwar, Amarnath, Mamleshwar, Nageshwar, Jatadhari, Gaurishankar, Mahesh, Mahadev, Aadinath, Prannath, Shoolpaneni, Shree Kanthay, Bhaktavatsalay, Trilokeshay, Ugray, Gangadharay, Kapaline, Kaalkalay, Bhimay, Mrigpanay, Jatadharay, Kailashvasine, Kavachine, Trimurtaye, Somlochnaye, Suryalochnay, Somay, Sadashivay, Vishveshwaray, Veerbhadray, Gananay, Prajapatye, Hiranyaretse, Girishay, Andhay, Puraratye, Bhagwate, Jagatgurve, Rudray, Bhootpatye, Digambaray, Ashtamurtaye, Anekatmane, Mridaye, Pralahkari, Pashupatye, Tarkaye, Trishooldhari, Somnatheshwar, Ambikanadhay.

(108 Names of Lord Shankar – This photo was taken at Shri Bhuteshwar Mahadev Temple at Mathura during Chaurasi Kos Yatra)