History, Importance, Timing, Festival Celebration, Interesting Fact and Tourist Guide of Nand Bhavan, Nandgaon, Uttar Pradesh, India
Nand Bhavan, the residence place of Nand Maharaj, Shri Krishna’s foster father is most famous pilgrimage site in Nandgaon, Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh. Nand Bhawan also famed as Nandgram temple is located on top of Nandishwar Hill and just at 9 km away from Barsana. As it had witnesses all the youth-childhood leela of Lord Krishna and brother Baldevji, thus it hold special importance in all the devotee of Lord Krishna. Thousands of devotee and tourist visits here in Nandgaon across the year while they are in Mathura or Vrindavan. It is believed that Nandbaba relocated from Gokul to Nandgaon and stayed here along with Yashoda Maiya, Lord Krishna, Balram and all people of Gokul. Nand Bhavan literally means that home of Nana Baba is the only temple where Yashoda Mata and Nand Baba is worshipped along with Lord Krishna and Balaramji. In the central sanctum, idols of Lord Krishna, Balaram, Yashoda and Nanda are placed. Idols of Radha Rani, Rohini mother of Balramji and Revathi wife of Balaramji is placed. This is how whole family of Nandbaba is presented here in temple complex and also daily worship and offering is managed by temple trust. Idols of Sudama and Madhumanhala Krishna’s friend are also placed next to Nanda Maharaj in temple.
The history of Nand Bhawan is more than 5000 years old but recent traces it history from 19th century when huge temple was built by King Rupa Singh. Nested in top of Nandishwar hill, Nand bhavan spread across the huge area where you can reach via climbing few stairs leading to its entrance. Nandbhavan has wide open spaces amid palaces that hold fascinating rooms and key places where stories and characters of time of Lord Krisha are mentioned. The inner ceiling and walls are overflowing with beautiful paintings and frescos which brings to life the episodic scenes of child hood of Lord Krishna and Baldevji were once played in the house. Every day, Yashoda Maiya used to decorate Balrama and Krishna in different ways.
Nand Bhawan holds lots of pastimes and tales of Lord’s childhood and youth days along with Balramji. It is also believed that Shri Radha Rani used to visit here at Nandbhavan on request of Yashoda Maiya and aslo prepared food for Lord Krishna. Bal Krishna then eat the food with his friends in the dining hall of and Bhawan. Once you reach the Nand Bhavan here its like every pastimes of your beloved god comes infront of you.
Interesting legend is associated with Nandiswar Hill, it is said that Lord Shiva had pleased Lord Krishna and asked for boon to be witnesses of his childhood pastimes. Then Lord Krishna has asked Lord Shiva to situated in Nandgaon in form of Hill. Then Lord Shiva had took the form of Hill which is later known as Nandishwar hill. Here Nandishvar means ‘the lord of Nandi’, one of the popular name of lord Shiva. Thus, the name Nandishvar is derived its existence from the Lord Shiva who is believed to reside here in the form of hill to witnesses the pastimes of Lord Krishna. Nandgaon is one of the key sub-forest or Upvans of Vrindavan where father of Nandbaba lived earlier. But later on due to torture of demons he had moved to Gokul.
Narasimha Temple is located at the base of the Nandeshwar hill. Nanda Maharaja used to worship the Narasimha and Varaha the incarnation of supreme Lord Vishnu.
Interesting legend is associated with Nand Bhavan of Nandgaon. It is believed that this holy site is more than 5000 years old. As per the religious scripture of Sanatan Dharma, Nandbaba, Krishna’s father and Vrishbhanu, Radha’s fathere 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.
Mllions of devotee across the world visits Nandgaon 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, Barsana etc.
The best time to visit Nand Bhavan or Palace of Nand Baba is between October and March when weather is pleasant and during festival like Holi, Radha Ashtami and Janmashtami which are celebrated with great zeal. Nand Gaon is the popular place to visit during the Holi.
How to Reach Nand Bhavan, Nandgaon, Childhood Place of Lord Krishna, Uttar Pradesh, India
Nandgaon 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 which is just 55 km from Nandgaon from where you can get train to almost all region of India. Agra Airport and Delhi Airport are the nearest airport at distance of 110 and 120 respectively from Nandgaon. 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 Nandgaon. It is located at just 10 km from Barsana, 30 km from Govardhan, 32 km from Jatipura, 55 km from Mathura, 48 km from Vrindavan and 67 km from Gokul., 110 km from Agra, 120 km from Delhi. You can get direct buses from Agra, Delhi etc. to reach Mathura and then you can reach Nandgaon easily.
