Talk:Vṛndāban
By Swami Harshananda
Significance of Vṛndāban[edit]
Vṛndāban is also spelt as Vṛndāvan, Bṛndāvan and Bṛndāban. It is one of the famous places of pilgrimage closely associated with the childhood days of Lord Kṛṣṇa. It is at a distance of 10 kms.[1] from the city of Mathurā in Uttar Pradesh. Though a small town on the bank of the Yamunā river, it is dotted with innumerable temples, ghāṭs[2] and other sacred spots connected with Kṛṣṇa’s life.
Origin of the Name Vṛndāban[edit]
The name Vṛndāban is derived from Vṛndā, the daughter of the king Kedāra. She practiced severe austerities here to get Lord Viṣṇu as her husband. After succeeding in getting the boon from him, she was reborn as Rādhā, the daughter of Vṛṣabhānu and Kalāvatī.
Significant Temples of Vṛndāban[edit]
The following are the more important of the temples:
- Kṛṣṇagopala Mandir
- Baṇkebihāri Mandir
- Shāh Bihārījī Mandir
- Rādhā-ramaṇ Mandir
- Srīraṅgajī Mandir of Rañganātha, built in the South Indian style
- Gopāleśvaranātha Mandir of Śiva
Gokula Near Vṛndāban[edit]
The famous Gokula where Kṛṣṇa spent his childhood days first, is on the opposite bank of the river Yamunā. Out of the several temples, Gokulnāth temple is the chief one.
Govardhana Hill[edit]
The Govardhana hill, which is 34 kms.[3] from Mathurā, is a small hillock spread over 6 to 7 kilometers.[4] It has an ancient temple dedicated to Govardhananātha. About 5 kms.[5] away from this hill there is a village Rādhākuṇḍa surrounded by two big tanks known as Rādhākuṇḍa and Kṛṣṇakuṇḍa.
References[edit]
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore