|
|
Thiru Vadamathura
(Brindhavanam)
|
|
History -
Thiru Vadamathura (Brindhavanam) |
Mathura
and Brindavan in Uttar Pradesh are intimately connected with the
life of Krishna and are considered to be amongst the holiest of
pilgrimage sites of the Hindus. The Gopas shifted to Brindavan following
several calamities at Gokul. Brindavan was a lush site, on the banks
of the river Yamuna. Legend has it that Shatrugna, brother of Rama,
vanquished the demon Lavanasuran, and built the picturesque city
of Mathura on the banks of the Yamuna river. Govardhan hill is located
26 km from Mathura while Brindavan is at a distance of 10 km from
Mathura. Mathura has been mentioned by Ptolemy and by the Chinese
traveller Hyuen Tsang (7th century CE). Mathura was once a Buddhist
center. Krishna's leelas with Radha have been the subject of literature
all over India; especially that of Jayadeva. Radha is considerd
to be one of the Shaktis of Vishnu; born as the daughter of King
Vrishabhanu and his wife Kalavati, certain legends assert that she
was married to Krishna. She is also known as Brindavani or Brinda.
Radha is considered to be a manifestation of Lakshmi. The Brindavan
refers to a sacred Tulsi forest. Raas Leela on Sharad Poornima (full
moon night in the month Oct 15-Nov 15) or during Holi is of great
importance here. Temples from the 16th century CE are seen here.
The chief temples here are those of Govinddev, Radha Vallabh, Gopinath,
Jugalkishore and Madanmohan. There are more than a thousand temples
and 32 ghats in this town. There are also temples to Rangaji, and
those built by Lal Babu the Maharaja of Gwalior. The red stone temple
of Govindaji is an impressive one built in 1590 under the direction
of two gurus Rupa and Sanatana. The image of Govinddevji apparently
was movd to Jaipur fearing Aurangazeb. The Rangdev temple in the
Sri Vaishnava tradition was built by Seth Govinddas and Radhakrishna
in the south indian dravidian architectural style. Virtually every
site in Mathura is associated with legends related to Krishna. The
Dwarkadeesh temple in Mathura is a modern temple. The Gita Mandir
is located on the Mathura Brindavan road. Gokul near Mathura, is
where Krishna was raised; Mahaban is said to be the seat of the
palace of Nanda, Krishna's foster father. Barsana is said to be
the original home of Radha. Most temples in the town of Brindavan
are associated with several of the leelas of Krishna at Brindavan.
Brindavan became a center of religion from the 15th century onward.
The Ramanuja Sampradaya and the Nimbarka Vishnava Sampradaya (performing
Sankirtans primarily) and the Madhva sampradaya (which worships
Krishna without Radha) , the Vallabha and Chaitanya traditions are
the leading Vaishnava sampradayas here. Perialwar, Andal, Tondaradippodiyalwar,
Tirumangaialwar and Nammalwar of the first millennium CE, have sung
in chaste Tamil ,of the life of Krishna in Mathura-Govardhan-Brindavan
in a total of 50 verses. The ancient pilgrimage town of Mathura
(Vrindavan) in Uttar Pradesh, is the site of what is considered
to be the Vada Madurai Divyadesam. The Rangamandir, enshrines Ranganathar,
Andal and Venkatachalapati. Worship services are conducted here
by Tamil Sree Vaishnava priests.
Thaayaar - Satyabhaama Naachiyaar.
Theertham - Indra Theertham, Govardana Theertham, Yamuna river.
|
Mangalasasanam: |
Perialwar - 16, 277,
399, 264-74, 341, 430
Aandaal - 478, 538,539, 560, 569, 617, 624, 637-646, 634, 638
Thondaradipodialwar - 916
Thirumangaialwar - 1512, 1527, 1833, 2673 (74)
Nammalwar - 3439, 3499, 3559-3566.
Total of 50 Paasurams.
|
Special Information |
Dieties |
Goverthanam, Goverthanesan, Sathyabama |
Vimanam |
Goverthana Vimanam |
Theerthangal |
Indra Theertham |
Mangalasasanam |
Periyazhwar, Andal, Nammazhwar, Thirumangaiazhwar
|
Prathyaksham |
Thondaimaan Chakravarthy, Arumugan |
Direction and Posture |
East-faced diety |
Travel Base |
New Delhi |
Features |
One of the bathing ghats on the banks of River
Jamuna which flows through this city is called as 'Vishranti Ghat'
and is accorded by pilgrims as a sacred place who take bath here.
Even the legendary pictures such as the birth place of Lord Krishna,
the Palace of the wicked king of Kamsa do picture in this Kshetra.
There are many boxers(malyuddhar) here.
|
Accessibility |
About 80 miles south of New Delhi, the capital
of India. Reachable in 3 days from Chennai. Reachable in 3 hours
from New Delhi. |
Moolavar |
The Moolavar of this Divyadesam is Govardhana Nesan. He is also
named as Balakrishnan. The Moolavar is found in Nindra thirukkolam
facing his thirumugham towards the Eastern direction. Prathyaksham
for Indiran, all the Devars, Brahma devan, Vasudevar and Devaki.
|
How to Get There. |
This Divyadesam is found on the way between
Delhi to Agra railway line. To reach this Temple, one has to get
down in Mathura Junction and travel about 2 miles from there and
this sthalam is also reachable from Brindavan by travelling 7 miles
from Brindavan . |
|