Barsana is a place of great historical and mythological importance and the birthplace of Radha Rani Ji. It is located in the Braj region, the Nagar Panchayat of the Mathura district. It is a town of great cultural and religious significance due to the presence of many temples dedicated to Radha Rani Ji. It is also considered one of the important spots of the Krishna pilgrimage(Tirth yatra). The other circuits of this pilgrimage are Mathura, Vrindavan, Gokul, Govardhana, Kurukshetra and Dwarka. Barsana is also called Vrishabhanupur and is considered to be the forever playground of Shri Krishna and Radha Rani. This place was not simply just a playground of the Lord, but it also had rich beauty and enchanting landscapes. The best spiritual spot for Shri Krishna devotees and the Vaishnavas as they can feel Shri Krishna’s presence if summoned with a pure heart.
Spiritual Places In Barsana
Barsana, the best location for Vasihnavas and Shri Krishna devotees, has many attractions to visit nearby. From Shri Radha Rani Temple to Shyam Kund and Radha Kund, each place is of great spiritual importance. So here is a list of all the spiritual places in Barsana specially curated for you.
1. Barsana Shri Radha Rani Temple
Barsana Shri Radha Rani Temple, or the Shreeji Temple in Barsana, is believed to have been set up by Shri Krishna’s grandson. According to mythological legends, Vrishbhanu and Nandaraj, the father of Radharani and Krishna, were close friends. To protect their people from the enormity of Kansa, the demon king, they moved to Bhanugarh Hill and Nandgaon, making it their permanent home. So, both in Nandgaon and Bhanugarh Hill, there are two temples: one is the Nandvaban, and another is the Barsana Shri Radha Rani Temple. The temple has two idols of Radha and Krishna together called the Ladli-Lal, meaning the dearest daughter and son of the village. The temple was almost in ruins until the Rajputana Kings re-established it with beautiful and enchanting architectural design. Radha Ashtami and Krishna Janmashtami are celebrated in this temple; it is the birthday of Shri Radha Rani and Shri Krishna. The idols are dressed in new clothes and jewellery, they are also offered the “Chappan Bhog” a thali prepared with 56 dishes.
Must Read: Temples in Mathura
2. Shyam Kund and Radha Kund
Image Credit: Bhupesh arya for Wikimedia Commons
Shyam Kund, an auspicious pond near Baldeo in Mathura, is the most popular tirtha spot for the Vaishnavas. The Shyam Kund is incomplete without the Radha Kund, as both are set together and believed to wash away all your sins and bad karma if you dip in these two ponds. According to mythological legends, once Kansa sent the demon Arishta in the guise of a bull to kill Shri Krishna. Lord Krishna and Balarama killed the demon within a few minutes. After killing the demon, Radharani mischievously teased Krishna that he had become impure as he killed a bull ( a breed of cow). Gauhatya, killing a cow, is considered a sin in the Hindu religion. So Shri Krishna created a huge depression by his foot and summoned all the auspicious and sacred rivers in this Kund. Radharani, too, dug a pond with her bracelet, but no water was there. Shri Krishna summoned all the holy rivers to create the Radha Rani Kund again.
3. Gahvar Van
A deep and dense jungle in Barsana is said to be the play spot of Shri Krishna and Radha Rani. The devotees and the locals believe that this jungle has seen many uncanny and divine Leelas of Lord Krishna. They also believe that even today Radha Rani and Shri Krishna come here and play together. This Gahvar Van is believed to be inaccessible and very secret. They believe that Shri Krishna used to do his Raas Leela here in this forest, where each tree would turn into Gopis and they would dance along with Shri Krishna and Radha Rani. Now it is an auspicious spot for the devotees and Vaishnavas. Many also believe that afternoon in the day till midnight, Shri Krishna and Radha Rani visit this Van and the time here stops and this Van becomes divine, away from human intervention. Devotees can come and enjoy this spot before the given time and experience the enchanting views of the forest.
Suggested Read: Places to Visit in Mathura
4. Kusum Sarovar
Image Credit: Aman.arch for Wikimedia Commons
Kusum Sarovar is an auspicious water reservoir with historical importance located in Barsana. It is believed to be one of the other playing spots of Shri Krishna and Radha Rani. Kusum Sarovar is believed to be previously a land filled with beautiful and sweet-scented flowers and Kadam Trees. Radha Rani would come here every day to pluck flowers for her daily Puja ritual, and while collecting flowers, she would play with Krishna and her Sakhis. Shri Krishna and his friends would also help her collect these flowers and make garlands for her. Now, this Kusum Sarovar is a water pond where devotees visit and take a dip in the water, as they believe that it will help them achieve the true love of Krishna. This Kusum Sarovar is also known as Suman Sarovar. The Sarovar is now decorated with paintings of Radha Krishna being playful and their pastimes. A painting of the Lotus Feet of Shri Krishna is also present there.
5. Vrinda Devi Temple
Image Credit: Around The Globefor Wikimedia Commons
Vrinda Devi Temple, another auspicious and spiritual spot for the Krishna devotees, is located in Barsana. The Vrinda Devi Temple is dedicated to the Vrinda, Devi Tulsi. The whole forest of Vrindavan has been named after her. It is believed that Devi Vrinda got the opportunity to serve the Lotus Feet of Shri Krishna after thousands of years of Tapasya. Being pleased with her immense devotion, Shri Krishna gave her a boon that she would get the opportunity to serve his human incarnation on Earth. Vrindavan has many Tulsi plants, and it is said that Tulsi is very dear to Shri Krishna as he does not accept any bhogs without a Tulsi leaf. So Vrinda Devi, who resides in the forest of Vrindavan, is very near dear to Lord Krishna.
Further Read: Things to Do in Mathura
With a checklist of all the things you need to keep in mind for your visit to Barsana in Uttar Pradesh, make preparations for your next trip to Uttar Pradesh. Enjoy these interesting and mythological places of importance for an experience of a lifetime. Make sure to book your tickets now and secure the opportunity for an amazing trip!
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Cover Image credit: By Kridha20 for Wikimedia Commons.
Frequently Asked Questions About Barsana
Why is Barsana so popular among the tourists?
Barsana is a place of great historical and mythological importance and the birthplace of Radha Rani Ji. It is located in the Braj region, the Nagar Panchayat of the Mathura district. It is a town of great cultural and religious significance due to the presence of many temples dedicated to Radha Rani Ji. It is also considered one of the important spots of the Krishna pilgrimage(Tirth yatra).
How did the name Barsana come from?
The name “Barsana” came from the sweet, playful pastimes of Shri Krishna and Radha Rani Ji. Their playful pastimes resulted in the continuous rain of divine nectar here, so the name Barsana came from the word ‘raining’. It is also one of the most auspicious Braj Dham tirtha spots. Devotees came here as it was the childhood play spot of Shri Krishna.
Are there any peaks in Barsana?
Barsana has four peaks, the hills of the peaks are Bhangarh, Maangarh, Daangarh, and Vilasgarh. Each of these peaks is believed to be the head of Lord Brahma. Also, the village of Barsana is set around two hills next to each other, the Brahma Hill and the Vishnu Hill. The white hill is a prolonged one and is the Brahma Hill. The Vishnu hill is the black-coloured one.
What are the festivals celebrated in Barsana?
Barsana being the eternal playground of Shri Krishna, is famous for its Lathmar Holi. Holi was a festival that was greatly celebrated by the Brajvasis and Shri Krishna himself. The Lathmar Holi of Barsana is a famous festival known worldwide. The Vaishnavas and the Krishna devotees attend this festival every year in Barsana. They believe that Radharani and her friends used to chase Krishna away with a bamboo stick when they came to put colours on her.
Who was the chief of Barsana?
Vrishbhanu, the father of Shri Radha Rani Ji, was the chief of Barsana. Vrishbhanu was a wealthy head of the village with over 1 million cows. He is believed to be the reincarnation of King Suchandra, who was professed to have received a boon, a divine opportunity from Brahma Dev to become the father of Goddess Lakshmi in the Dwapara Yug. Hence, he became the father of Radha Rani, who is believed to be the human incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi.
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