History, Importance, Timings, Various Mystery, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Nidhivan, Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh, India
Nidhivan, one of the most holy place of Vrindavan is forest of Tulsi – Basil where Lord Krishna plays Ras Leela with Radharani and other Gopis even today every night. The mysterious site of Nidhivan is known as Madhuvan and also the meaning of Vrindavan is forest of Vrinda means Tulsi. As per the local belief, Lord Krishna visits here every night and also conduct the Raaslila here thus no one allowed to enter to the Nidhivan after the evening Aarti and closed the door. Not only devotees and priest, even birds and animals leave the place after the Sandhya Aarti. Along with lots of mystery, Nidhivan is the place of appearance of Shri Bankey Bihari in front of great saint and devotee, Shri Swami Haridas. Rang Mahal is another important place located in Nidhivan, where it is believed that Lord Shri Krishna and Radharani visits this palace and takes rest.
All about Nidhivan and its mysteries.
Nidhivan is dense lush green forest spread across around 2.5 acres, surrounded by trees, mainly the Tulsi – Basil plant where the branches are either jumbled to the other trees or band towards the ground. Even though the land is dry all tress remains full of load with green leaves across the year. Another mystery is all tulsi plants of Nidhivan found in pair which represent the Gopu and Krishan and it is believed that these are the Gopis and turn into real form every night and participate in Raas Leela with Lord Krishna in Nidhivan. As this is divine leela of Lord Krishna, no one is allowed to enter in Nidhivan after evening Aarti. It is also said that who had tried to visit Nidhivan during night either goes blind, dies or lose mental balance, basically not in a condition to narrate the event happen. It is also claimed by lots of people that they hear the sounds of anklet coming from Nidhivan during night. Even those who live in the region or have their houses close to Nidhivan have not tried to view the divine leela. The houses have no windows opening on the side of Nidhivan, so that they are unable to have a look inside the divine pastimes of Radha and Krishna. You can also observed the shape and the size of the trees of Nidhivan. The trees are short and intertwined with each other and almos all of them are in same size and height.
Nidhivan is also popular as Ras Sthali as divine couple Radha and Krishn performs Ras Leela. Nidhivan is also called the Sadhana Sthali as great saint, devotee and greatest musician, the Swami Sri Haridasji the guru of Tansen had perform sadhana of Lord Krishna here. There are several sacred place located in Nidhivan like Rang Mahal, Lalitha Kund, Gita Mandir, Shahji Temple, Vishakha Kund, Kalki Mandir. Swami Hari Das Temple etc.
About 20 steps down a narrow staircase, there is a holy well created by Shri Krishna, with the help of his flute to relieve the thirst of Vishakha, the friend of Radharani. Thus, it is known as Vishakha-Kund. Seva Kunj, also known as Nikunj Van, the important pilgrimage site is located near NidhiVan. The location has its name as Seva Kunj because Lord Krishna used to conduct Seva for Radha and assist her in preparing for the Raas Leela.
Most important and famous site of Nidhivan is Rang Mahal, basically the Shringar-ghar of Radharani, where Radha Krishna visits everynight and take rest. The Rang Mahal has sandalwood beds. Every evening, before closing the temple gates, the temple priests makes the bed, places ornaments like bangles, flowers and clothes for RadhaRani, leaves Neem Twigs, Sweets, Paan and a jar full of water beside the bed of Radha Krishna. Then the main door of the Rang Mahal and Nidhivan are locked from outside and unlocked only in the morning. But every morning, they found that the bed looks as if it has been slept in, Neem twigs looks used and Sweets and Betel leaves looks partially eaten. Also, the bangles, flowers and clothes placed for Radharani looks disordered and disarranged.
There is another temple called Banke Bihari Pragatya Sthali where the divine murti of Bankey Bihari appeared in front of Rasik Saint Swami Shri Haridas Ji during sangeet sadhna. Then Radha and Krishna combined into one single form called Banke Bihari to stay with Haridas Thakur. For few years, Banke Bihari was worshiped in Nidhivan and then they were enshrined in separate temple called Banke Bihari Temple. There is another temple here which is called the "Bansi Chor Radharani" because Radharani had stealed the flute of Lord Shri Krishna. This is the only temple in the world, where Radha Rani is playing flute.
It is also said that several historians and scientist have visited Nidhivan to unravel the mystery but all of them went away empty-handed. Once the foreign media house had secretly placed CCTV camera inside the forests to record if any supernatural occurrence taking place at night. But due to divine leela of Lord Krishna nothing has been recorded by the cameras even though they were working perfectly fine.
The best time to visit Nidhivan is between October and March when weather is pleasant and during festival like Holi and Janmashtami which are celebrated with great zeal. Vrindaban is the popular place to visit during the Holi
Darshan and Aarti timing of Nidhivan is as below.
During Winter season, Darshan starts from 6 AM to 7 PM
During Sumer season, Darshan starts from 5 AM to 8 PM
Millions of devotee across the world visits Vrindavan 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 Mathura, Barsana, Gokul, Jatipura, Govardhan Hill, Nandgaon etc.
How to Reach Nidhivan, Vrindavan, The Abode of Lord Krishna, Uttar Pradesh, India
Nidhivan is one the most popular pilgrimage site of Vrindavan where thousands of devotee and tourist reaches here around the year. Vrindavan being one of the major pilgrimage center 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 just at 14 km from Vrindavan from where you can get train to almost all region of India. Agra Airport and Delhi Airport are the nearest airport at distance of 69 and 140 respectively from Vrindavan. 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 Vrindavan. Vrindavan is located at just 14 km from Mathura, 26 km from Gokul, 42 km from Barsana, 30 km from Jatipura, 23 km from Govardhan hill, 70 km from Agra, 180 km from Delhi. You can get direct buses from Mathura, Agra, Delhi etc. to reach Vrindavan.
