AFTERNOON CIRCUIT

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Nidhvan is one of the most religious places in Vrindavan. It is surrounded by small trees. According to Vrindavan saints, these are not just trees but devotees of Lord Banke Bihari. Nidhivan is also known as Madhuvan. Thousand years ago at the same place a divine saint named as Shri Haridas Ji Maharaj used to please his priyatam, Lord Banke Bihari by singing songs and rejuvenating the surroundings of temple by enthralling music. Haridas Ji used to meditate and sing in the praise of his Lord in a secluded and dense forest area in Nidhivan.

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Gokul is the place where Krishna spent his childhood pastimes and is the place where Krishna was taken by Vasudeva right after his bird. He had the first demons attack and disturbs the pastimes. There is a palace of the 84 pillars of the time of Nanda Maharaj and the Brahmanda Ghat where Lord Krishna was caught by mother Yasoda and it showed all the universe in His mouth to her.

Mahavan is said to have been found by Nanda, the foster father and paternal uncle of Lord Krishna before Krishna’s birth, it was then ruled by Yadavas. Mahavan is situated about six miles east of Mathura. It is also called Brihadvan, because it is the largest of all the forests. In fact this forest has three names: Mahavan, Gokul and Brihadvan.

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Brahmand Ghat is the spot where infant Krishna, after swallowing a few mud particles while playing with his friends, had apparently revealed the entire cosmic universe in his mouth, much to the bewilderment of his foster mother Yashoda. Hence the name of the site is Brahmand Ghat, literally meaning, the universe.

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  YAMUNA GHAT (TAT)

• KESI GHAT – BOATING

• VISHRAAM GHAT – BOATING

• BRAHMAAND GHAT

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Vrindavan, just 15 Kilometers from Mathura, is a major place of Pilgrimage. The Name Vrindavan evokes the playful and lovable characteristics of Lord Shri Krishna. This is the wood where he frolicked with the Gopies and tenderly wooed Radha. Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the most munificent incarnation of God rediscovered the most sacred places of Vrindavan which had been lost in time. It was 1515 that Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu visited Vrindavan. At the beginning of the 16th Century, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu directed Roope and Sanatan, two of his immediate disciples, to go and settle in Vrindavan, where they were later joined by Jiv Goswami, Raghunath Bhatt and Gopal Bhatt.

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  STATE MUSEUM

The Government Museum is one of the leading centers for research, study and the preservation of Mathura’s splendid heritage of art. The museum housed in a fine octagonal, red sandstone building, located at Dampier Park, has a finest collection of sculptures belonging to the Maurya, Sunga, Kushana and the Gupta periods. Its collection of Kushana art is considered to be the finest in the world.

The Museum has also fine collections of stone sculpture and terracotta, gold, silver and copper coins, clay seals, ancient pottery, paintings and bronzes.

GAZETTED HOLIDAY CLOSED

Its a popular temple, located approx 20-25 Kms from Vrindavan, dedicated to Giriraj Ji, a natural form of Lord Krishna, who lifted the Hill on his finger, to save lives of the Brijwasi’s. It’s built at the center point of this hill & devotees walk around this hill for 21 Kms, called Parikrama, generally taking 5 hrs, usually barefooted. This faith of devotees is worth a praise.

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Kusum Sarovar is a historical site and a pond which is counted amongst the top tourist attractions in Govardhan. It is believed that Radharani (the love interest of Lord Krishna) used to come to this place to collect flowers, and thus, the name comes – Kusum, which stands for flowers and Sarovar for the pond. Such is the charm of this beautiful pond that one can spend hours soaking the enduring beauty and serenity of this historical site in Govardhan. Kusum Sarovar is one of those famous places of tourist interest that lies on the route of Govardhan Parikrama.

Maan means anger. This place is called Maan Sarovar because Shri Radha Rani came here in the spirit of Maan. Maana happens when Radharani gets angry and feels hurt because of Krishna. There is a very beautiful temple dedicated to Sri Radharani on the banks of Man Sarovar Lake.

Shri Radharani mansarovar   a rare land and temple made of white marble spread over five acres in size with the melodious voice of the bird where the Shri Vigraha of Shri Radharani can be seen surrounded by a lake with chirping birds. The boat descends from Vrindavan via Kesighat to the opposite bank on the other side and then walks three miles to Shri Radha Rani Mansarovar Lake. Lush green trees and plants around the lake add to the beauty of the place.

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Chintaharan Mahadev is dedicated to Lord Shiva and houses the unique Shivlinga placed in center sanctum. You cannot find such Shivlinga across the world where 1,111 small lingas are carved in one Shivalinga. Idol of Maa Yashoda pulling ears of Bal Krishna for his mischievous is worshipped here.

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Bhandirvan, the pious land which united Radha-Krishna! Bhandirvan one of the 137 sacred forests in Mathura lies 10 km away from Vrindavan. It is the place where Radha and Krishna used to perform their youth plays and it is also believed that it was Lord Brahma who got them married at this very place. No wonder, people have lot of reverence for Bhandirvan.

This is the celebrated place where Lord Krishna in his form of Gopinath or Lord of Gopis performed the celebrated pastime of Maharaas Dance on auspicious day of Sharad Purnima (full moon night). Banshi means flute and Vat means Banyan Tree. Thus the Banyan tree under which Shri Krishna plays his flute is known as Banshi Vat.  On hearing the divine flute, the gopis become emotionally helpless and ran towards Banshi Vat. Here Shri Krishn plays flute eternally. Shri Krishn has taken as many forms as there were gopis. It is 5500 years old leela place, Banshi Vat. Lord Shiva came to this place in the form of a gopi during Maharaas and hence Shri Krishn gave him the name “Gopishwar Mahadev”. It is also mentioned that “There is no place like Vrindavan, there is no village like Nand Gaun, there is no Banyan Tree-like Vanshi Vat , and there is no name like Radha Krishn”.