History, Importance, Festival Celebration, Best Time to Visit, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Krishna Janmbhoomi, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India
The Krishna Janmasthan temple or Shri Krishna Janmbhoomi Temple, the birthplace of most beloved Lord, Shri Krishna, is one of the most famous place of Braj Bhoomi where group of the Hindu temples are located in center of Mathura in state of Uttar Pradesh. The Krishna Janmasthan is built around the prison cell where it is believed that Lord Shri Krishna was born and Vasudevji and Devakiji, the parent of lord were imprisoned by the demon king Kansa of Mathura who was maternal uncle of Lord Krishna. This place holds high religious important in Sanatan Dharma as Lord Shree Krishna, the eight incarnation of supreme Lord Vishna had manifested himself in the prison house to reestablish the Dharma on the earth. Also Mathura is one of the Saptpuri or seven sacred cities of India. Thus millions of devotee across the world visits here around the year and especially on festival like Janmashtami, Holy, Diwali etc.
The Krishna Janmsthan temple complex has a prison cell and other small temples built in same campus. The campus was also known as Katra Mound or Katra Keshavdas. The Potra Kund is situated in the complex where it is said that Lord Krishna had his first bath. Keshavdev Temple, Garbh Gruha Shrine and Bhagvad Bhavan are key attraction here in temple campus. Also you can find the significant events in Lord Krishna's life here in campus. There is also an enormous hall which houses the idol of Lord Krishna and Radha. Small sanctums for Goddess Durga and Navagraha are also found inside the temple. You can also find the small shrine of various deity like Balarama, Subahdra and Jagannath, Rama, Sita and Lakshman, Garuda Stambha (pillar), Mahadev, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Lord Hanuman, Goddess Durga etc.
As per the sacred texts of sanatan dharma, after the marriage of Devkiji and Vasudevji, demon king Kans, the brother of Devkiji and friend of Vasudevji took newly married couple in his chariot. At that time Akashvaani happened and declared that Devaki's eighth child will become the reason of death of demon king Kans. Then Kans afraid a lot and to avoid his death he imprisoned Vasudeva and Mata Devaki and started killing of their children. Then one the Ashtami of Sravan month, Ma Devaki gave birth to Lord Krishna at midnight as eight child here at prison, the Krishna janmbhoomi sthal at Mathura. The entire region was so lighten and jail doors were opened with supreme power of Lord Vishnu. Then Akashavani had guided Vasudevji to take away eight child and put up at home of his friend Nandbaba who lived in Gokul. Thus, Vasudeva brought the child in a basket and take away by crossing sacred river Yamuna to Gokul.
As per the legend, the original temple was built by the Vajranabh, the grandson of Lord Krishna around 5000 years ago. Then several time it was rebuilt, renovated and destructed by invaders. The majestic temple was built during the rule of Chandragupta Vikramaditya in 4th century. But it was destroyed and looted by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1017 AD. It is believed that there was a massive idol of Krishna, made of solid gold, which was stolen during an attack by Mahmud of Ghazni. Then during the rule of king Dhurpet Dev Janjua in 12th century, temple was built again at same place. Then during the 16th century, Sikandar Lodi had demolished temple but again in 18th century it was rebuilt by King veer singh Bundela. He had built very high wall surrounded by temple in order to protect the temple from evil eye of Muslim rulers. Even though destruction and reconstruction of temple, there was no dispute of birthplace of Krishna till. But in 1669, ling Aurangzeb who had ordered to destroy as many temples across India. On his order the giant temple was demolished replaced it with Shahi Eidgah masjid. This was the point from where the dispute started for Krishna Janmbhoomi place and mosque. Then after the independence of India Shri Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya took the initiative to rebuild the temple with the help of industrialist and merchant and then founded the 'Sri Krishna Janma Bhoomi Trust.'
There are lots of evidence found that Krishna Janmbhoomi place was worshipped from thousands of year by follower of Sanatan Dharma. Even several foreign traveler had mentioned the glories of Mathura and temples in their diaries.
The temple has many beautiful architecture and artwork inside the temple depicting the life stories of Lord Shree Krishna. The Janmashtami is very well celebrated here. The temple is decorated with lights, flowers, religious flags and Diyas. The Puja begins at midnight at 12:00am during Janmashtami. The birth festival is celebrated continuously for six days. Diwali, Basant Panchmi, Radha Ashtami and Gopa Ashtami are also very well celebrated.
Mllions of devotee across the world visits Mathura across the year, thus to facilitate them lots of Ashram, Dharmshala, Hotels, Guest House, Yatri Bhavan, Restaurants are built. Also you can easily find the public and private transport, auto rickshaw for the local sightseen and visit nearby Yatradham like Vrindavan, Barsana, Gokul, Jatipura, Govardhan Hill, Nandgaon etc.
How to Reach Krishna Janmbhoomi Temple, Marhtua, The Birth Place of Lord Krishna, Uttar Pradesh, India
Krishna Janmmbhoomi temple complex is one of the most visited and highly importance holy place of Sanatan Dharma. It is located in center of Mathura thus, easily accessible from any place of Mathura and nearby cities via public and private transport. Mathura being one of the major pilgrimage center, one of the Sapt Puri of Hinduism and tourist destination, of Uttar Pradesh where people across the world visits around the year. It is very well connected with all major cities of India via road, rail and air network. Mathura has major railway junction from where you can get train to almost all region of India. Agra Airport and Delhi Airport are the nearest airport at distance of 60 and 170 respectively from Mathura. From where you can get flight to all major cities of India and across the globe. You can find private taxi and public transport as well from both airport to reach to Mathura. It is located at just 14 km from Vrindava, 10 km from Gokul, 48 km from Barsana, 25 km from Jatipura, 26 km from Govardhan hill, 58 km from Agra, 180 km from Delhi. You can get direct buses from Agra, Delhi etc. to reach Mathura.
