Vrundavan
There is something about Vrindavan. One does not get tired here. Sleep is always peaceful and one wakes up in the morning to the bhajans blaring over the loudspeakers of myriad temples and organisations. Yet, one is as fresh as the dew. Its a temple town. Take a rickshaw and go in any direction. You would be meeting the mischievous boy at every place he is omnipresent. Radha is the empress of the place. In fact, she, whether depicted in the temples or not, is given more importance than even Krishna. The only way to accost people in Vrindavan is Radhey Radhey. The ubiquitous cow is worshipped here. The bovine animals are extremely gentle. They know that they will not be harmed by human beings in this sleepy town; in return they do not even pretend to attack. Vrindavan is a temple town. The temples were really very old, facing the elements and the onslaught of Muslim Kings. Presently in existence, the oldest temples would be about 500 years old for construction of which Akbar gave the permission. There were four such temples. Ironically, his grandson, Aurangzeb, was instrumental in the destruction of these and many more. The ever increasing purchasing power of the people is self-evident here. During the last 10 years the town has undergone a massive change. The vast open spaces that were the grazing grounds of yore have been made converted to elite real estate. The Yamuna river, is narrow and shallow, like in any place after Haridwar. The big trees are vanishing rapidly. The local population has increased and so have the tourists. As a result the 'daan' made by devotees have also increased. "Daan", in Vrindavan includes fodder for animals, distribution of food and articles for the needy,
besides the donations made at the temples. As regards "daan" Vrindavan is a living example of the caring attitude of the haves for the havenots that was enshrined in our ancient ethos.
Govind Dev temple is on a small hillock. During the mughals rules, the Brahmins discovered a small statue of the Devi lodged in a hillock. A small cave like structure was carved in the hillock where the Brahmins would collect for their kirtan. Akbar's Hindu commander, Raja Maan Singh worshipped the Devi before one of his conquests. When he succeeded, he got this temple built. The temple was seven storeyed and intricately carved on all sides. Two generations later, when Aurangzeb saw the light from the temple while travelling to Agra, he decided to destroy it. However, after the top four storeys were destroyed, a few lions came into the precincts of the temple and sat on the steps. Aurangzeb's men beat a hasty retreat. Legend has it that the lions went to the small temple of Hanuman nearby and that they were actually Hanuman who had taken this form. The Hanuman temple has been rechristened Singhpaur (Lion on the stair) Hanuman Mandir. One has got to see the Govind ji temple to believe how every inch of the temple
has been so cruelly desecrated.
Bansibatt has been made famous by the blind minstrel, Surdas. 'Chaar pehar Bansibatt bhatkyo, shaam pare ghar aayo...' yes the child krishna would graze the cows here. But, there is another important story about Bansibatt. When Krishna was away the gopis prayed to Goddess Katyayani for his return. The Goddess, much pleased with the gopis, granted them there wish saying that when Krishna played the flute from Bansibatt, they would meet him. The Raas Leela is a result of this. The Maharaas took place when Krishna played the flute from this tree on a full moon night. Krishna danced with Radha rani and also with all the gopis. Yet another miracle that he showed in Vrindavan
Now, only a couple of trees remain.The trees are supported by concrete pillars. It is a very peaceful temple, not very popular on the tourist circuit.
Who has not heard of Krishna hiding the clothes of the bathing gopis of Vrindavan? On the left is the actual tree or what remains of it. It is along the banks of the Yamuna, not too far from the Kesi ghat where Krishna killed the asura Kesi. The ancient tree is supported by concrete pillars. Probably in the past this area must have had many such trees which give support to one another. But now, with only one tree surviving the ravages of time and man, it has become essential to provide support.Generally the tree is resplendent with bright coloured dupattas tied on its branches by the ardent devotees.
The entire little town of Vrindavan is dotted with temples telling of the timelessness of devotion to Krishna. Although, the builders' lobby is busy making quick profits, the uniqueness of Vrindavan lives on.
