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Goverdhan, Barsana & Nandgaon

Nandgaon was given by the chief of Barsana, Vrishbhana Kaka to the chief of Gokul, Nand Baba after Gokul was burnt by Kansa in a hope to burn the baby Krishna.

Nand Baba constructed his home atop Nandhisvara Parvat (Hill) in a hope to protect Krishna from the attack of demons of Kansa. There would be residents of Nandgaon who would be up at all time patrolling from the hill-top to protect baby Krishna in case of any attack.

Nandishvara Parvat is actually Lord Shiva who had performed penance to take the form of a hill in Nandagaon so that he can take the dust of feet of gopis there. Gopis are the personification of love and demigods wish to take the form of a humble blade of grass in Vraj Bhumi to be brushed by the feet of gopis.

Krishna used to sneak from here to Barsana to meet Sri Radha.

The Nandagram temple is on top of the main hill (which is called Nandisvara hill) here. The village that is on and surrounding the hill is called Nandgaon. Pavana Sarovara is north of the hill. Further north is Moti Kunda.

Directly south of the hill is the main village area. The Narasimhadeva temple and Yasoda’s yogurt pot are in this area. Further south, in the outskirts of the village, is Yasoda Kunda and Nanda Kunda. To the east of the Nandisvara hill, just across the road next to the hill, is Lalita Kunda. A little south of Lalita Kunda is Uddhava Kyari. East of Nandagram, about 1½ km into the fields, is Ter Kadamba, which is a fairly difficult place to get to. Charan Pahari, where the footprints of Krishna are enshrined, is west and a little south of Nandisvara hill.

About a kilometre west of Nandagram is Vrinda Kunda, which is located in a secluded place.

A little beyond is the Pan Sarovar, a large lake with masonry ghats along its sides. Legend has it, that this was the place where Shri Krishna used to take his cows for water.

1. SHRI DANGHATI GIRRAJ JI TEMPLE

Govardhan also called Giriraj descended its name from the Holy Goverdhan Hill. It extends upto 4 or 5 miles and has many sacred sites. Shri Krishna held Govardhan Hill on his little finger to save the town from the wrath of the god of rains Indra. Many divine pastimes places related to Radha Krishn are located at the place.

2. ShreeNathji Mukharvind TEMPLE

This Mukharwind is a Govardhan Shila and is also known as the Shringar Sthali,The Mukharvind of Giriraj Govardhan; according to the Vallabh Sampraday. Annakut Pujan is held here every year. Hundreds of bhakts visit daily and worship with milk and flowers etc. Many also begin their parikrama of Giriraj Govardhan from this point. This Sthal is very very Alive with the Divine vibrations and energy. After the Sandhya Aarti at His Nathdwara Mandir, ShreeNathji comes at the Mukharvind Mandir on Shri Govardhan to give Shayan Darshans. During this period, His Presence is very Live and can be felt by the receptive bhakts; so once the Shringar is complete no photography is allowed. The Mukharvind of Shreeji is decorated and worshipped every evening. It is believed to be Alive with His Presence.

3. SHRI GAYAPRASHAD JI KI SAMADHI

ब्रज संत शिरोमणि पंडित गया प्रसाद महाराज की कृष्ण-कन्हैया से अलौकिक भक्ति बेमिसाल रही है। उन्होंने अपने जीवन के अंतिम 65 साल गिरिराज की तलहटी में झाड़ू लगाते हुए गुजार दिए। इस दौरान उनके मुख से नंदलाल के नटखट अंदाज की कथाएं सुन लोग भावविह्वल हो उठते थे। वहीं संत गया प्रसाद जी की सेवा में रहे महंत सियाराम दास ने बताया कि साल 1936 में पं. गया प्रसाद जी श्रावण के अधिमास में गोवर्धन की परिक्रमा के लिए गए और फिर यहीं गिरिराज की सेवा में लीन हो गए। वैराग्य तो पहले ही धारण कर चुके थे, यहां उन्होंने महात्मा वेश धारण कर पूर्ण विरक्ति को अंगीकार कर लिया। वहां राधाकुंड के पास मिर्ची बाबा की बगीची में रहने लगे। ब्रज वासियों से भिक्षा कर वे भक्ति योग के अनुष्ठान में जुट गए।

4. PUCHHARI KA LAUTHA MANDIR

This temple is dedicated to Lautha, a friend of Krishna, who sat and waited for Krishna to return to Vrindavana from Mathura. Because this temple is close to Punchari he has become known as Punchari Ka I.autha. The deity of Lautha is red and he is sitting. This deity is one of the most famous in Braj. When Akrura was taking Krishna away to Mathura, Lautha asked Krishna when He would return. Krishna told him he would return the day after tomorrow. Lautha said he would not eat or drink anything until He returned. He then came to this place and sat down. This deity of Lautha is still waiting for Krishna to return. Getting there- This temple is about 70m from Apsara Kunda, on the main parikrama path. It is a bigger than average road-side temple.

5. RADHAKUND + KRISHNA KUND

Krishna was to kill his uncles Kans in lieu of all the sins done by the latter in Mathura. To keep himself safe, Kans used to send demons to kill Krishna. One such demon was Arishta who came in the disguise of a bull and was killed by Lord Krishna and Balaram who easily overpowered the evil and saved his friends from this demon. When Krishna after killing this dangerous demon went to meet Radha rani she jokingly refused to play with him and asked him to take bath in every holy place and then touch her pure body. Lord Krishna then created a kunda by striking his heel on the ground and summoned all the holy places to enter the Kunda in the form of water. Krishna then bathed in it and teased Radha rani that he is perfect in creating such pond. Radha Rani also wanted to dig a pond for her and did it with her bracelet. When not even a single drop of water was manifested in the kunda Shri Krishna signaled all the holy places to again enter in Shri Radha Rani’s Kunda in the water form

6. MANSI GANGA

The beautiful Manasi Ganga ghat surrounds this pious and soul touching lake. The stone ghats around the Manasi Ganga temple were built by King Bhagavan das, the father of Maria Singh, a king of Jaipur. Many people start their parikrama or circumambulation after taking bath in Manasi Ganga and end it by taking a bath in this auspicious lake again. Pilgrims take a holy dip in this divine lake’s water and get sanctified. It is a good-size lake located in the town of Goverdhan in the center of Govardhan Hill. People offer ghee lamps on the banks of Mansi Ganga. It is believed that taking bath in Mansi Ganga one gets the divine love of Lord Krishna and henceforth attains salvation.

7. GIRRAJ PARWAT parikarma GOVERDHAN

Deep within the lush forests of Vrindavan lies the sacred Govardhana Mountain peak. Legend has it that Govardhana manifested from the heart of Krishna in Goloka to fulfil the divine desire of Śrī Radha for an exquisitely beautiful setting for their pastimes. Famous as the supreme servant of Krishna, Govardhana provides a fairy-tale-like playground for the Lord and His companions. Here, cows, gopas, and gopis find limitless joy. Once, to shield the Vrajavasis from the anger of Lord Indira, Seven-year-old Krishna lifted Govardhana like an umbrella and held it up in the air for seven days. Since then, devotees have walked around this sacred mountain as an act of worship.

8. RADHA RANI TEMPLE BARSANA

Shri Radha Rani temple is a prominent temple in Barsana. Located at approx 43 km from Mathura in Uttar Pradesh Barsana village is one of the most revered places that appeals devotees across the world. Being the homeland and birthplace of Shri Radha Rani, this little suburb of Braj region is believed to be amongst the favorite spot of divine destinations not only for pilgrims but also for travelers with spiritual instincts. The Radha Rani temple in the city is also known as LadiLalji or Shree ji temple. Ladli lal Ji or Shree ji means beloved Radha .

9. RANGILI MAHAL BARSANA

Rangeeli Mahal, founded in 1996, is one of the main centers of Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat, is located at Shri Radharani’s eternal abode, Barsana. In describing the glory of Barsana dham, Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj had said that within this Barsana dham resides the divine Barsana dham. In Rangeeli Mahal, there is a large satsang hall with depictions of Shri Radha Krishna’s pastimes all around the hall. There are also beautifully landscaped gardens, waterfalls and other attractions.[1] A temple named Kirti Mandir has been established by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj on a 12,000 square feet area in Barsana. This temple has been named after Shri Radharani’s mother, Kirti Maiya. Visitors will have the unique darshan of baby Radha sitting in her mother’s lap which will be the only kind found in this world. A free charitable hospital has also been run in Barsana since 14 January 2007 serving patients from neighbouring villages as well as from far away places in Braj.

10. NAND MAHAL NANDGAON

Nand Bhavan was the residence of Shri Krishna’s foster father Nand Maharaj in Nandgaon. Located at 30 km from Mathura, Nandgaon is located to the south adjacent to the Nandiswar hill. Nand Bhawan is nestled on a mountain peak verdant with green foliage all around. The rolling mountains at the backdrop make this place more spectacular.

11. KOKILAVAN SHANIDEV TEMPLE

कोकिलावन तीर्थस्थल मथुरा शहर के नंदगांव में स्थित है। यहां शनिदेव का प्राचीन मंदिर बना हुआ है। माना जाता है कि द्वापरयुग में शनिदेव अपने आराध्य भगवान कृष्ण के बाल स्वरूप के दर्शन करने के लिए नंदगांव आए थे। शनि को नंद बाबा ने रोक दिया, क्‍योंकि वे उनकी वक्र दृष्‍टि से भयभीत थे। तब दुखी शनि को सांत्‍वना देने के लिए कृष्‍ण ने संदेश दिया कि वे नंद गांव के निकट वन में उनकी तपस्‍या करें, वे वहीं दर्शन देने के लिए प्रकट होंगे। तब शनि ने इस स्‍थान पर पर तप किया। उसके बाद भगवान श्री कृष्‍ण ने कोयल रूप में उन्‍हें दर्शन दिया। उसके बाद भगवान श्री कृष्ण की आज्ञा से वे कोकिलावन धाम में ही रहने लगे।

12. KUSUM SAROVAR

Kusum Sarovar is a sacred water reservoir with a historic sand monument in its backdrop. It is situated on the holy Govardhan Hill between Manasi Ganga and Radha Kund in Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh, India.[1] Kusum Sarovar is considered one of the sacred spots that witnessed the pastimes of Hindu deities Radha and Krishna. It is also the place of Jat ruler Maharaja Suraj Mal’s memorial chhatri. Kusum Sarovar has Narada Kund, where Bhakti Sutra verses were written by Narada and the Shri Radha Vana Bihari Temple in the vicinity