Vrindavan is also known as the "city of widows" due to the large number of widows who move into the town and surrounding area after losing their husbands. There are an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 widows.
Vrindavan has about 5,500 temples dedicated to the worship of Krishna and his chief consort Radha. It is one of the most sacred places for Vaishnavism tradition. Vrindavan is a significant part of the "Krishna pilgrimage circuit" which also includes Mathura, Barsana, Gokul, Govardhan, Kurukshetra, Dwarka and Puri.
Popular places in vrindavan
•Prem Mandir - Shyama Shyam Dham
•ISKCON
•Banke Bihari Temple
•Mata Vaishno Devi Dham
•Radha Damodar Temple
•Shri Radha Madan Mohan Ji Temple....
•Prem mandir
Prem Mandir is a Hindu temple in Vrindavan, Mathura, India. It is maintained by Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat, an international non-profit, educational, spiritual, charitable trust.
The complex is on a 54-acre site on the outskirts of Vrindavan, and is dedicated to Lord Radha Krishna and Sita Ram. The temple structure was established by the fifth Jagadguru, Kripalu Maharaj. Figures of Shri Krishna and his followers depicting important events surrounding the Lord’s existence cover the main temple.
Construction began in January 2001 and the inauguration ceremony took place from 15 February to 17 February 2012. The temple was opened to public on 17 February. The cost was 150 crore rupees ($23 million). The presiding deity are Shri Radha Govind (Radha Krishna) and Shri Sita Ram. A 73,000 square feet, pillar-less, dome shaped satsang hall is being constructed next to Prem Mandir, which will accommodate 25,000 people at a time.
Made out of white marble and adorned with very intricate carvings, this temple is also famous for its architectural beauty. Statues of Shri Krishna and his admirers, portraying essential occasions surrounding the Lord's life, cover the main temple. Various scenes from Krishna's life, like raising the Govardhan Mountain, have been depicted on the periphery of the Prem Mandir. The lighting of the temple further glorifies its spectacular look, especially during the night. The colored water twists and twirls to the tunes of the kirtans of Radha Krishna being played nearby and are an audio-visual delight.
•Iskcon
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) was founded in New York City in 1966 by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who went to the western world with the mission of spreading the transcendental message of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead appearing as a devotee in this age of Kali. Being a part of the Brahma Madhva Gaudiya Vaishnava Sampradaya, one of the four vaishnava sampradayas, ISKCON comes in an authorized disciplic succession of great spiritual preceptors who have taught the science of self realization based on the teachings of the Bhagawat Gita and Srimad Bhagwatam.
The precepts and practices of ISKCON were taught and codified by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1486-1532) along with His brother Nityananda Prabhu and six of His principle associates, the Goswamis of Vrindavana (Sanatana, Rupa, Jiva, Gopal Bhatta, Raghunatha Dasa and Raghunatha Bhatta).
The Bhagavad-gita, the principal scripture of The Hare Krishna Movement, is an eternal teaching, having Its’ written origins more than 5000-years ago, and before that time it was an oral tradition handed down from teacher to student from time immemorial.
Visitors to the temple first pass under the brilliant white marble archway of Srila Prabhupada’s samadhi, an architectural wonder of winding peacock stairways and intricately carved walls and domes. They then enter through the gigantic wooden temple doors and find themselves transported to the spiritual world upon seeing the palace of Krishna Balaram with its sunken black and white checkered marble courtyard, beautified by a living tamal tree. The music of the kartals, mrdanga and sweet harmonium of the 24 hour kirtaniyas enters the heart, and everyone, young and old, spontaneously raise their arms and dance in ecstasy.
Ascending the courtyard steps, visitors approach the effulgent gorgeous forms of the source of all beauty, the presiding Lords Sri Sri Gaura Nitai, Krishna Balaram and Radha Shyamasundar. Standing transfixed with open eyes and folded hands, pilgrims drink in the dazzling vision of the Lord, lovingly decorated with no consideration of expense or effort, truly a festival for the eyes.
•Banke bihari temple
Dedicated to Lord Krishna, Banke Bihari Temple is one of the popular tourist attractions in Vrindavan. Built in the year 1864, the temple is located near Shri Radha Vallabh Temple. Dedicated to Lord Krishna, it is counted amongst the most visited temples in Vrindavan. In the name Banke Bihari, the term Banke stands for ‘bent at three angles’ and Bihari for ‘supreme enjoyer’. The meaning refers to the image of Lord Krishna where, while playing the flute, his right knee is bent across the left one and the right hand holds the flute. The architecture of the temple reflects a classic Rajasthani design. Banke Bihari Temple is one of those seven shrines of Thakur in the city of Vrindavan. At this renowned sacred site, there is an image of Lord Krishna in Tribhanga posture. It is said that this sacred idol was once worshipped by the renowned poet and classical musician - Haridas Swami.
•Mata vaishno devi dham
A beautiful temple of Maa Vaishno Devi in Vrindavan, Mathura (UP). There is a very big Idol of Goddess Sherawali with his lion and Hanuman Ji.
There is a cave built in the temple that devipts various 'devis'.
It is a must see place for all Hindus.
It is on Chatikara-Vrindavan road, about half KM from Chatikara.
This incredible temple stands at the heart of Vrindavan on Bhaktivedanta Swami Marg near Chhatikara. Sprawled over 11 acres, it offers remarkable facilities like a dispensary, library, two dharmshalas for visitors to stay, and a spiritual hall housing a meditation centre, yoga centre, and a spacious langar (food) hall. All these amenities are designed to provide comfort and peace to the devotees who visit this temple, crafted with immense devotion and hard work.
The vision came to life with the expertise of a team of architects, and young, talented engineers. The distinctive feature is the towering statue of Maa Vaishno Devi, adorned in a red saree with intricate trinkets and weapons symbolising her power and strength against evil, elegantly seated on her royal carrier, a lion. Just next to her is another large statue of Lord Hanuman, sitting with one folded leg and both hands seeking blessings of Maa. The unique aspect is that these grand statues grace the roof, an unmissable sight for any visitor to Vrindavan. Thanks to its immense size, the temple can be seen from afar.
•Radha damodar temple
Sri Radha Damodar deities were manifested by Srila Rupa Goswami, who gave them to his dear disciple and nephew-Jiva Goswami for service and worship. Samadhi of Shri Roop Goswami, Sri Jeev Goswami. Bhajan Kutira and Samadhi of Shri Roop Goswami: The topmost maidservant of Sri Sri Radha-Krsna is Sri Rupa Manjari. His bhajana-kutira and Samadhi-mandira are situated in the courtyard of Sri Sri Radha Damodar Temple.
Sri Sri Radha Damodar Mandir is an ancient temple established by Srila Jiva Goswami in the year 1542 C.E. The deities here were served by Srila Jiva Goswami.
Sri Radha Damodar deities were manifested by Srila Rupa Goswami, who gave them to his dear disciple and nephew-Jiva Goswami for service and worship. Samadhi of Shri Roop Goswami, Sri Jeev Goswami. Bhajan Kutira and Samadhi of Shri Roop Goswami: The topmost maidservant of Sri Sri Radha-Krsna is Sri Rupa Manjari. His bhajana-kutira and Samadhi-mandira are situated in the courtyard of Sri Sri Radha Damodar Temple.
Jeeva Goswami Samadhi: Jeeva Goswami's Samadhi is located at Radha Damodar Mandir. Srila Krsna Dasa Kaviraja Goswami Samadhi: Srila Krishna Dasa Kaviraja Goswami's samadhi is also located at Radha Damodar Mandir. Pushpa Samadhis of other Vaishnav saints are also located at the temple.
Giriraj Charan Shila History: Sripad Sanatan Goswami used to live in Vrindavan near Sri Radha Madanmohan temple. Everyday he would go to Goverdhan hill from Vrindavan for Parikrama. When he got old even then this routinge was carried and continue with Parikrama seeing this Lord himself appeared before him and told him that he is happy with his devotion and asked goswamipad to stay at Vrindavan and serve Radha Krishna. Srila Sanatan Goswami said that without coming to the Govardhan Hill he feels pain and grief. Then Krishna gave him a Govardhan Sila with His Foot Print, Flute, Stick & cows foot print on that and told goswamipad that by doing four Parikaramas of this Govardhan Sila with four signs you will get the complete benefit of Govardhan Parikrama. This Sila has been served in this temple since then, many devotees come to this temple to do Parikrama everyday.
Location:
Radha Damodar Temple is located in Vrindavan at Nikunj Lane, very near to Sewa Kunj.
•Shri radha madan mohan ji temple
This temple is artistically carved in oval shape from above with red stone located at Aditya Tila. The temple height is 20m high and is present near river Yamuna. This amazing temple is financed by Ram Das Kapoor of Punjab. He was great follower of Sri Madan Mohan Jee. In the early 19th century, Sri Nanda Kumar Bose built new Madana Mohan Temple. Main pujari or care-taker of old temple moved to this temple as it is believed that the old temple was contaminated. This temple now has the replica structure of the original deities or pratibhu murtis.
