BRAJ MANDAL - MATHURA

Mathura

All the pilgrimages of Braj belong to Shri Krishna, in which Mathura is considered as the heart. And the main place in Mathura is the Vishram Ghat - here Shri Yamuna ji took rest after coming from Gauloka, Shri Krishna rested here after killing Kansa, Shri Mahaprabhu ji took rest here, hence this place is called Vishram Ghat.

From Mathura, Shri Krishna came to Dwarka and kept the Murli Mukut here. At dusk, the murli crown is adorned here and that place is called a mandala.This Braj is Kamal, the shape of Brij is lotus, the middle petal is Mathura. There are 12 Jyotirlingas and Saptapuri at the Vishram Ghat.Chaitra Sudi Shashti is the birth anniversary of Yamuna ji.

On Kartik Shukla Dwitiya, Shri Yamuna ji had taken a boon in Dakshina by tilaking his brother Yamraj that the one who takes a bath at this Vishram Ghat on this day will not go to Yamlok. That is why it is great to take a bath by holding the hands of brother and sister here from 3 in the morning to 3 in the evening.

The creator of the universe, Shri Krishna, has taken birth in Mathura, so Mathura is called Krishna Janma Bhoomi.

Scenic Spots

The Vishram Ghat, the form of pilgrimage, darshan of the (self-realized) water form of Shri Yamunaji. Temple of Shri Yamunaji, Aarti site, Darshan of Shri Krishna-Baldev in the middle of Mandal, Darshan of Yamuna Ji Dharmaraj, Baithakof Shri Mahaprabhuji, Dwadas Jyotirlinga, Dwarkadhish Temple, Gatashram Narayan, dheergh Vishnu, Mathura Devi, Ram Ghat, RamjiDwara, Tulsi Das's meeting place, Satgarha, KansAkhada, Rangeshwar Mahadev, Kansa Fort, PotraKund, Bhuteshwar Mahadev, Gokarna Mahadev, Kankali Devi, Mahavidya Devi, SaraswatiKund, and the darshan of Shri Krishna Keshav Dev.

Madhu Van

Madhuvan is the first of the twelve forests.
Here the suspicion of Narad ji was removed by killing the asura named Madhu, hence this place is called Madhuvan, and the name Madhusudan of Lord Krishna.
Dhruv ji has done penance on a pedestal in this forest, with the chanting of the mantra "Om NamahBhagwateVasudevaya", God has given darshan to Dhruv ji. Madhuvaniya Thakur, Dauji's darshan and Shri Krishna-Baldev have come here grazing with both the cowherds, here devotees have filled the bowl with buttermilk.

Scenic Spots

Here is the darshan of Chaturbhuj Rai and meeting of Shri Mahaprabhuji at Krishna Kund. There is also a cave of Lavanasur, which was killed by Shatrughna in Tretayuga.


Taal Van

Palm trees are here even today, so it is called Tal Van. Here Shri Dauji had killed Dhenukasur (the demon who came in the form of a donkey).

Scenic Spots

Here is the darshan of Baldev Ji and BalabhadraKund.


Kamod Van

When Shri Krishna came to the cow's feet, all the Gwal-Bal used to play in this beautiful pond adorned with lotus flowers. Gwal-Bal would throw those lotuses on the limbs of Shyam-Sundar and when Krishna ran to throw the lotus, He would show his thumb dipped in water. One wire the cowherd and Shri Krishna would hustle and the other way Shyam Sundar would do Vendunad, listening to which the hair of Braj would run and bring lunch for God, the service-doer. All the pilgrimages reside in Braj, the place of Ganga Sagar is here.
Here Kapil Muni did penance, then Shri Krishna appeared to him. Gangasagar Dham has found this place in Braj.

Scenic Spots

Here is the Krishna Kund, which is called Ganga Sagar Tirtha, the meeting place of Shri MahaPrabhuji and the darshan of Kapil Muni.

Saantan Kund

Here Shantanu king did penance with the desire of a son and Shri Krishna appeared pleased and gave a son like Shri Bhishma pita, hence the name of this place is SanatanKund.

Scenic Spots

Shantanu came to be known as Bihari and resided in the temple in the middle of the pond. Sattu was offered to them, which Krishna-Baldev has ate with interest. Here is SanatanKund, Shantanu Vihari and Shrinathji’s baithak.

Ganeshra Gaon

Here is the GandharvaKund, where the Gandharva sang on the death of Putna, it rained flowers.

Scenic Spots

GandharvaKund.

Kechari

Here is the PutnaKund, here are the lives of Putna. Putna fell even 6 kos away from Gokul.

Scenic Spots

Putnakund.

Bahula Van

Here Shri Krishna has made a rarbati of a cow and a lion, hence the name RarBati village. The cow used to graze in this forest, the lion came and surrounded them, then the cow promised that I would come after giving milk to my children, then eat me. The lion left knowing the matter of religion. Later the cow came after giving milk to the calf, then as soon as the lion got up to eat, Shri Krishna came and stood in the middle and both of them would have the ultimate speed. Here in the north is the Krishna Kund.

Scenic Spots

Here there is a vision of Bahula Bihari, there is also a vision of a cow and a lion and there is a vision of a stone cow of ancient times.