History, Importance, Timing, Festival Celebration, Interesting Fact and Tourist Guide of Radha Rani Temple, Barsana, Uttar Pradesh, India
Shriji Temple also known as Radha Rani Temple, one of the most popular pilgrimage place is dedicated to Shri Radha Rani and located top of the Bhanugarh hills in holy city Barsana of Mathura District, Uttar Pradesh. Radha Rani temple is also known as Shri Laadli Lal Temple which means beloved daughter and son the popular name of Radha and Krishna. Radha Rani temple or Radha Rani Ka Mahal is located at height of around 250 mts, thus from top of temple you can enjoy the beautiful panoramic view of entire Barsana. Every year millions of devotee and tourist across the world visits Radha Rani Temple as it is one of the key attraction of Barsana and also the Vraj Bhoomi. You can find unbelievable crowd of devotee and tourist during the festival like Radha Ashtami – birth day of Radha rani and Lathmar Holi – special traditional style of Holi. Shri Radha Rani, the secret power of Lord Krishna is believed to be the Goddess of Brajwasis and only worshipped goddess of entire Braj area. The Radha Rani Temple of Barsana is believed to be the holy site where goddess Radha is always present and give here blessing to every devotee who visits here with pure devotion. Idols of Vrishabhanu Maharaj, Kirtida and Shridama sibling of Radha are also placed in temple premise. Also you can find Brahma Temple and Ashtasakhi temple where Radha along with her principal sakhis near the main shrine.
World’s Famous Lathmar Holi of Barsana, Uttar Pradesh, India
As per the spiritual text of Sanatan Dharma, Lord Shri Krishna used to come to Barsana to play Holi with Shri Radha Rani. Thus, same tradition has been religiously followed by the locals here. The men of Nandgaon come to Barsana to play holi. People across the world come to see this celebration of Holi. People sing Holi songs and women beat up men with lathis to celebrate the Holi Festival in unique tradition thus it becomes famous as Lathmar Holi.
Interesting legend is associated with Radha Rani Temple of Barsana. It is believed that the holy site of Radha Rani Temple is more than 5000 years old. As per the religious scripture of Sanatan Dharma, Nandbaba, Krishna’s father and Vrishbhanu, Radha’s father were best friends. Nandbaba lived in Gokul and Vrishbhanu ji lived in Rawal, both were leaders and incharge of their village. Due to the torture of demon king Kans and his other demons friends, Nandbada and Vrishbhanu had left their village along with all people. Nandbaba relocated to Nandgaon and Vrishbhanu relocated to Barsana alogn with their villagers. Nandabad had made Nandishvar hill as his home and Vrishbhanu had made Bhanugarh hill as his home and became the resident of Radha. This is how Barsana and Nandgaon became the twin town and even after 5000 years they are well known for temples dedicated to Radha and Krishna on the peak of Nandishvar and Bhanugarh hills respectively. Nandgaon temple is famous as Nand Bhawan, Barsana temple is famed as Radha Rani temple.
It is believed that originally, Radha Rani Temple was established by King Vajranabh, the great-grandson of Krishna, the grandson of Pradyumna and Son of Aniruddha around 5000 years ago. Then over the time period it is said to be in ruins but in 17th century it was rediscovered by Narayan Bhatt, one of the great Vaishnav. Then temple was rebuilt in 1675 AD by Raja Veer Singh.
The Architecture and site of Radha Rani temple is very special where arches, pillars and red sandstone resemblance to the architectural style of Mughal time. The look of temple is same like majestic palace which is made up of red sandstone and decorated with elaborate hand carvings, beautiful arches, domes and exquisite paintings on its inner walls and ceilings. Red and white stones have been used for the construction of the temple, which are considered to symbolize the love of Radha and Krishna. To reach the Radha Rani temple, there are two way to reach top from base. You can use stairs (around 200) which leads to main temple or also you can use walkway which is easy as compare to stairs.
Mllions of devotee across the world visits Barsana 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, Vrindavan, Gokul, Jatipura, Govardhan Hill, Nandgaon etc.
The best time to visit Radha Rani Temple is between October and March when weather is pleasant and during festival like Holi, Radha Ashtami and Janmashtami which are celebrated with great zeal. Barsana is the popular place to visit during the Holi and especially Radha Rani Temple is very popular spot for Lathmar Holi.
How to Reach Barsana, The Birth Place of Goddess Radha Rani, Uttar Pradesh, India
Radha Rani Temple is the key attraction of Barsana and entire Braj Region which is located on top of Bhanugarh hills. You can reach easily via climbing around 200 steps or by walkway. Barsana being one of the major pilgrimage center and popular 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 which is just 50 km from Mathura from where you can get train to almost all region of India. Agra Airport and Delhi Airport are the nearest airport at distance of 107 and 150 respectively from Barsana. 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 Barsana. It is located at just 45 km from Vrindavan, 60 km from Gokul, 48 km from Mathura, 23 km from Jatipura, 22 km from Govardhan hill, 107 km from Agra, 142 km from Delhi. You can get direct buses from Agra, Delhi etc. to reach Barsana.
