History, Importance, Timings, Festival Celebration, Architecture, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Nand Yashoda Bhavan, Gokul, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India
Nand Yashoda Bhavan, the house of Nand Baba and Yashoda and the birth place of Balramji and Yogmaya born is located at just 15 km from Mathura, Uttar Pradesh. It is believed that this house was built more than 5000 years ago by the lord Vishwakarma. It is said that there are thousands of small and big temples here every narrow Gali of Gokul and this is one of the popular place to visit in Gokul.
Several other popular places with similar history and name are located in Gokul – believed as newly developed Gokul and most famous and ancient one is Nand Bhavan or Chaurasi Khambha Temple which is located in old Gokul area and looks like more old or original place where Lord Krishna was brought up along with his brother Balram. There may be some confusion or difference for the exact site of Nand Bhavan but let’s not get into that other side and try to visit as many places during your visit to Gokul.
Shri Nand Yashoda Bhawan is the place where Vasudevji had brought shri Krishna after he was born. You can park your vehicle near road from where you need to walk through narrow galis of Gokul to reach this temple. You can easily reach to temple on own or there are lot of guide who will provide you detailed information about various places along with importance and history. But be aware that they will also try convince you to make some donation with help of priest in temple campus. Inside Nand mahal devotee has to sit down in centre sanctum for darshan groupwise. Priest will explain about various service and request for donation but it is not compulsory to do donation so do not hasitate to say no to them if you do not donate in temple and just believe in supreme lord Shri Krishna.
You can visit several small shrine within the Nand Bhavan and also see the paintings of Baal Lila of Lord Shri Krishna. You can see the painting of Mati Khai Lila, Yamulrjun Uddhar, Putana Mokhsa etc. There is also a place where you can do the Manorath for your parents and children. There are also small replica of Char Dham and Jagannath Puri is placed in Nand Mahel. Another key attraction here is Chandravali Manas Mandir also called Manokamana Sthal, Gokul located entrance chauk of Nand Bhavan. It is dedicated to Chandravali, friend of Shri Radharani who visits everyday here in Gokul from Barsana.
The best time to visit Nand Bhavan is between October and March when weather is pleasant and during festival like Holi and Janmashtami which are celebrated with great zeal.
Thousands of devotee across the world visits Gokul across the year, thus to facilitate them there are several 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, Vrindavan, Jatipura, Govardhan Hill, Nandgaon etc.
Gokul, the small town of Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh, India is the place where Sri Krishna had spent his childhood. Thus, even after more than 5200 years, Gokul is one of the most popular pilgrimage center of India where millions of Devotee visits throughout the year. Gokul is located just at 15 km away from Mathura where Lord Krishna brought up by Yashoda Maiya and Nandbaba. As per the legend, Lord Krishna was born to Devaki and King Vasudev in prison of Mathura when demon king Kans ruled here. Kans was the maternal uncle of Sri Krishna thus to protect child from Kans, Vasudevji took him to Gokul to the house of his friend Nandababa. This is how Nandbaba and his wife Yashoda Maiya became foster parents of Lord Krishna.
It is said that every street of Gokul has been witness the mischief and played of Bal Krishan and his friend which makes city live today even after 5000 years. You can find Krishna temple in every street of Gokul, few most famous one is Nanda Bhavan also called Chaurasi Khamba Temple. It is believed the Lord Krishna spent his childhood in this house thus believed as very holy in follower of Vaishnava Sect. Other important place in Gokul are Raman Reti, the holy sand, which is located at a distance of 2-3 km from Gokul. Where Krishna played in his childhood here thus you can see the devotees playing, running, and lying in this sand. Saint Gyanadas Ji, had revealed the importance of this place in the 18th century and developed it as we can see today.
Brahmand Ghat is another holy place located on bank of River Yamuna and near Reti Raman. Interesting legend is associated with this place, while playing, the child Krishna ate mud. Then Yashoda Mata asked to open his mouth to let the soil come out. But while child Krishna opened up his mouth, all with surprised, Yashoda Maiya had seen the picture of the whole universe, the Brahmand in Hindi, thus this place named Brahmand Ghat. Sri ThakurRani Ghat, Gokulnathiji Temple, Rang Bihari Temple etc. are located here in Gokul.
This is how Braj Bhoomi which mainly includes the Mathura, Vrindavan, Govardhan, Barsana, Gokul, Jatipura and Nandgaon are the places where Lord Shri Krishna, the eight incarnation of Lord Vishnu and most beloved God in India did lots and lots of Lila here. Even after more than 5250 years, here Lord Krishna lives in every person and animal and every life of Braj Bhoomi. Thus in entire region you can see Krishna everywhere which showcase the highly spiritual significant of Lord Krishna here in Braj Bhoomi.
How to Reach Nandalaya Mahanand Bhavan, Gokul, The Childhood Place of Lord Krishna, Uttar Pradesh, India
Gokul being one of the major pilgrimage cente and tourist destination, of Uttar Pradesh located just 10 km from Mathura 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 10 km from Gokul from where you can get train to almost all region of India. Agra Airport and Delhi Airport are the nearest airport at distance of 65 and 170 respectively from Gokul. 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 Gokul. It is located at just 24 km from Vrindava, 10 km from Mathura, 58 km from Barsana, 35 km from Jatipura, 36 km from Govardhan hill, 53 km from Agra, 187 km from Delhi. You can get direct buses from Agra, Delhi etc. to reach Gokul.