New Delhi: Vrindavan, one of the oldest cities on the banks of the Yamuna, is regarded as one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Krishna worshippers. Lord Krishna is reported to have spent his childhood at Vrindavan. The city’s name is derived from Vrinda (basil) and van (grove), which may refer to the two tiny groves at Nidhivan and Seva Kunj. Because Vrindavan is regarded as a sacred site, a large number of people come here to abandon their worldly lives.
The city of Vrindavan is home to hundreds of Lord Krishna and Radha temples, the most notable of which are the Banke Bihari temple. Here are some temples that are a must-visit on your trip to Vrindavan.
1. Prem Mandir:
Prem Mandir is a Hindu temple in Vrindavan. Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat, a worldwide non-profit educational, spiritual, and charitable trust, looks after it. The property is situated on a 55-acre plot of land on the outskirts of Vrindavan. It is named after Radha Krishna and Sita Ram. Radha Krishna is on the first level, while Sita Ram is on the second. Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj, the fifth Original Jagadguru, founded the temple. Additionally, various Leelas of Shri Krishna and Rasik saints are also depicted on the main temple’s wall.
2. Bank Bihari Temple:
The Banke Bihari Temple is a Vaishnava Hindu temple in Vrindavan. The temple is devoted to Banke Bihari, who is believed to be a hybrid of Radha and Krishna. Banke Bihari was first worshipped in Nidhivan in Vrindavan. Later, when the Banke Bihari temple was built in about 1864, the icon of Banke Bihari was relocated to the new shrine.
3. Radha Raman Temple:
The Radha Raman Temple, located around 2 kilometres from the Vrindavan Railway Station, is one of the most revered early modern Hindu temples in Vrindavan. It is devoted to Lord Krishna, who is regarded as Radha Raman. The temple is reputed to house the original Shaligram deity of Krishna, as well as Radharani, the self-manifested goddess from Shaligram Shila with a magical smile on her face. The Radha Raman temple complex also contains Gopal Bhatta’s samadhi, which is positioned immediately close to Radha Raman’s spot.
4. Govind Devji Temple:
Since the fifth century, the Govind Devji Temple has stood as an architectural marvel. It is dedicated to Lord Krishna in his childhood home and is made of red sandstone. The Govind Devji Temple is one of the holiest shrines in the area, nestled among the numerous other sanctums dedicated to the Lord. Although the original idol is no longer in the temple, it is said that the Lord Krishna idol in Govind Devji Temple resembled the lord’s face when he was born.
The majestic temple is a wonder for Hindu tourists because it demonstrates the purity of the place where the Lord was once said to have dwelt and performed all of his miracles.
5. Katyayani Peeth:
One of the 51 Shakti Peethas is the Katyayani Peeth in Vrindavan, also known as Uma Shakti Peeth. Sati, in the guise of Uma, is worshipped here. The ringlets of Maa Sati’s hair are said to have fallen in this location when Lord Vishnu used his Sudarshan Chakra to cut Maa Sati’s body to relieve Lord Shiva of the grief of losing his bride.
Goddess Uma (Shakti), Lord Shiva (Shiva), Lord Lakshmi Narayan (Vaishnava), Lord Surya (Saurya), and Lord Ganesha (Ganpataya) are the five modes of worship in Katyayani Peetha.