By Lakshman (das) Vrindavan (IN)
Third day of Parikrama :
For photos please see the link…… http://www.flickr.com/photos/48332942@N05/page3/
Today 25th Oct, around 6:00am all the participate gathered and very melodious morning rhythm Hare Krishna Mahamantra Kirtan started by Bengali devotees (Mayapur and Bangladesh group).
In the Vishram Ghat, Mathura , everyone took a vow (Sankalpa) to complete the Parikrama they took Water of Jamuna Maiya and she was witness, recite holy Mantras and perform some rituals. After the ceremony Parikrama start at 7:00am and came back to the residence palce around 9:30am and HH Bhakti Rasamrita Swami described the pastimes of Mathura Lila.
A brief description of Mathura Parikrama :
VISHRAM GHAT: This most famous ghat is located on the west bank of River Yamuna near the Dwarakadhisha Mandir.
After killing Kamsa, Krishna and Balaram arrived here and took rest. Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu also took bath here.
YAMUNA-YAMARAJ MANDIR: This is a small temple at Vishram Ghat. The old deities of Yamuna Devi and her brother Yamaraj are said to have been installed by Vajranabha, the great grandson of Krishna.
DWARAKADHISHA MANDIR: This is a very famous temple located close to Vishram Ghat on the banks of Yamuna.
SVETA VARAHA MANDIR: This is an old temple located behind the Dwarakadhisha temple.
PIPPALESHWAR MANDIR: Close to the south of Vishram Ghat is the small temple of Pippaleshwar Mahadev. Four main Shiva-lingas protect Mathura from the four sides and this linga is the protector of Mathura’s eastern quarter. It is said that the sage Pippalada was saved by Lord Siva and therefore this Siva-linga got the name Pippaleshwara (Lord of Pippalada).
BENGALI GHAT: This is located on the south of Vishram Ghat.
DHRUVA GHAT: On the south of Bengali Ghat is this ghat. With the mercy of Narada Muni, Dhruva Maharaja was instructed at his tender age of five to go to the forest of Madhuvan and perform austerities. During his stay in Madhuvan, he came to take bath here in Yamuna.
SAPTA RISHIS MANDIR: On the south of Dhruva Ghat is the temple of the Sapta Rshis. The seven great sages performed austerities here and their deities are worshipped in the temple.
KUBJA MANDIR (KUPA): This is the house of Kubja, where Krishna came to fulfill His promise to visit her and accept her offerings. There is a sacred well also here.
RANGESHWAR MAHADEVA MANDIR: On the west of Kubja Mandir is located the Rangeswar Mahadeva Mandir. Kamsa worshipped this Shiva-linga before the wrestling match. Rangeswar is the Southern protector of Mathura. This is the famous temple of Lord Shiva in Mathura.
RANG BHUMI / KAMSA TILA: This is located very close to the west of Rangeswar Mahadeva. Here is where Lord Krishna and Balaram destroyed Canura and Mustika and killed Kamsa.
KESHAVA GAUDIYA MATH: Near to Kamsa Tila on the south lies this temple. In this Math, Srila Prabhupada took sannyasa from Srila Bhakti Prajnana Keshava Maharaj. On the altar of the temple is a Deity of Lord Chaitanya, which was personally donated by Srila Prabhupada. This is a very important place to propagate Krishna-bhakti.
BHUTESHWAR MAHADEV: This temple is 0.5 km south of Sri Krishna Janmasthan. This is one of the famous Shiva-lingas established by Vajranabha.
SRI KRISNA JANMA BHUMI: This is the birth place of Lord Sri Krishna. Here, the Lord appeared in the prison house of Kamsa as the son of Devaki and Vasudev at midnight.
KESHAVADEVA MANDIR: This temple is at Janmasthan. This is where Vajranabha, Krishna’s great-grandson, built the first temple (during his reign as the king of Mathura). Here, Kesavadev was the presiding Deity and in the new temple, an amazingly beautiful Deity of Lord Krishna is installed.
BHAGAVATA BHAVAN: This is a magnanimous temple extensively built. On its wall and ceilings are wonderful paintings and carvings depicting the attractive lilas (pastimes) of Lord Krishna. The main temple at Janmasthan is also famous as the Bhagavata Bhavan.
Fourth day of parikrama :
For photos please see the link….. http://www.flickr.com/photos/48332942@N05/
Today 26th Oct. Parikrama started at 6:00am and first everyone took blessings from Bhuteswar Mahadev and Madhuvan by 8:00am. Then three different Bhagavad Katha simultaneously took place. In Bengali by HH Subhaga Swami Maharaja, in English by HG Deena Bandhu Prabhu and in Hindi by HG Vraja Bilash Prabhu.
HH Subhaga Swami Maharaja meet with Bengali devotees after a long time and all the Bengali devotees were overwhelmed with ecstasy. It was a wonderful moment (after the class) to see and experience the actual spiritual loving exchange (see the photos).While Maharaja was describing Krishna’s different Lilas all the Bengali devotees were relishing with ecstasy, devotees were laughing and enjoying like anything.
A brief description of Mathura to Madhuvan pastimes places .
JAYA GURUDEV MANDIR: On the south of Mathura beside the Delhi-Agra national highway is this vast temple located.
DHRUVA TILA: This place is located 1 km south-east of Jaya Gurudev Mandir. There is a small hill surrounded by bushes and trees, where Dhruva Maharaj performed austerities and attained darshan of Lord Vishnu. On the top of the hill lies the temple and on its altar, the Deities of Lord Narayana, Dhruva Maharaja and Narada Muni are established.
MAHOLI VILLAGE: On the south-west of Dhruva Tila is located the village (gav or gaon) of Maheli. The parikrama stations in this village. This is Madhuvan, one of the twelve celebrated forests of Vraj.
In treta-yuga, the brahmanas and sages of this area were disturbed by Lavanasura, the son of the demon Madhu, and thus they prayed to Lord Ramacandra for protection. He sent His brother Satrughna, who killed Lavanasura and established his capital in Madhuvan.
KRISHNA KUND: In the village, this kund (pond) is situated. The pond became manifested by striking the flute of Lord Krishna on ground to bring water for His cows.
BALARAM MANDIR: On the northern bank of Krishna Kund is this temple and a beautiful dark Deity of Lord Balaram is installed here.
SATRUGHNA MANDIR: This is a small temple in the Maholi village and the Vrajavasis worship the Deity of Satrughna in it.
VALLABHACARYA BAITHAK: On the southern bank of Krishna Kund is the seat for Vallabhacarya.