Also known as Nikunj Van, Seva Kunj in Vrindavan is a temple dedicated to Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha. It is a beautiful temple with idols of the deities inside as well as paintings on the walls, inscriptions of Hindu scriptures and a kund on the premises. According to the locals, Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha visit the temple each night and owing to this very reason, it is closed in the evenings. The temple owes its name to the fact that Lord Krishna supposedly served Goddess Radha here.
About The Seva Kunj In Vrindavan
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Seva Kunj in Vrindavan is dedicated to the love between Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha and is one of the most visited temples in the city, attracting large crowds of devotees on a daily basis. It is believed that this is where Lord Krishna would serve Goddess Radha during her Raas Leela performance; according to legends, he would help her get ready, comb her hair and adorn her with ornaments before the performance. Following the performance, her would massage her feet and the Gopis would make a bed of flower petals for the two to rest on. The temple boasts of beautiful architecture and houses idols of the two deities. Moreover, there are paintings on the walls depicting Lord Krishna serving Goddess Krishna as well as inscriptions from shlokas of Hindu scriptures describing the same. There is also a kund on the temple premises known as Lalita Kund.
Must Read: Things To Do In Vrindavan
Top Attractions In Vrindavan
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There are ample attractions to discover in Vrindavan, some of them are listed below,
- Being a prominent religious destination, there are numerous temples for you to visit here like Prem Mandir, Govind Devji Temple, ISKCON Temple, Banke Bihari Mandir and Sri Rangji Mandir.
- You must not miss out on visiting the Katyayani Peeth, also called Uma Shakti Peeth, which is dedicated to Sati. It happens to be one of the 51 Shakti Peeths and has 5 deities worshipped here which are Lord Shiva, Lord Lakshmi Narayan, Lord Ganesha, Goddess Uma, Lord Surya.
- You can take a short trip from Vrindavan to visit Nandgaon which is a small town of immense religious significance, especially for devotees of Lord Krishna. It is located at the foot of Nandishwara Hill and is believed to be the home of his foster parents. There is also a temple here that you can visit.
- Built in the 17th century, Keshi Ghat is the city’s main ghat and a must-visit when in Vrindavan. It was built in the Rajasthani style of architecture and it is said that Lord Krishna defeated Keshi here; the latter was a horse demon who had been sent by Kansa. Don’t miss out on the maha-aarti held here in the evenings.
- If you want to know more about Lord Krishna, it would be an excellent idea to visit Mathura which is often said to be Vrindavan’s twin city. It is supposedly Lord Krishna’s place of birth and lies alongside the Yamuna river, comprising 25 ghats. The Dwarkadheesh Temple is the city’s main temple.
Temple Timings And Best Time To Visit
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As mentioned above, since it is said that Radha-Krishna visit the temple each night, it is closed in the evenings. Seva Kunj is open from 8:30 AM to 11:00 AM and from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM from Monday to Sunday. While you can visit Vrindavan any time of the year, it is best to come during the winter season. The months from October to March are usually considered the best time to visit since the weather is cool and pleasant, making visiting temples as well as sightseeing an enjoyable experience. Furthermore, If you visit during the summer months from April to June, you would be met with soaring temperatures which would make outdoor activities nearly unbearable.
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The Different Ways Of Getting To Vrindavan
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You have different options when it comes to getting to Vrindavan, all depending on how close you are to the city and how much you are looking to spend. Vrindavan, which lies on National Highway 2, is well connected to most of Uttar Pradesh by road and therefore you can easily drive here if you don’t live too far. If you don’t wish to drive, you can always take the bus. Depending on where you begin your journey from, you either have the option to take a direct bus to Vrindavan or to take one to Mathura and then take a bus or taxi from there. The bus stop in Mathura is only about 12 km away from Vrindavan.
Another option is to take the train. It is quite affordable to travel to Vrindavan via train though you need to keep in mind that the city itself does not have a railway station. You would need to take a train to Mathura and then get a taxi or bus to Vrindavan. The two are only approximately 16 km away. The final option is to take a flight. The domestic airport closest to Vrindavan is about 55 km away in Agra while the closest international airport is over 130 km away in Delhi.
Further Read: Temples In Vrindavan
There is no dearth of things to around Seva Kunj in Vrindavan and this guide should help you learn more about the temple as well as important things to see in the city. Furthermore, with there being so many cities in close proximity to Vrindavan, you can also think of booking a family trip to Uttar Pradesh to uncover more of its gems!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Seva Kunj in Vrindavan
Is it convenient to move around Vrindavan without a car?
Yes, it is absolutely possible to move around Vrindavan if you don’t have a car or taxi since local transport is easily available. You can take a rickshaw or autorickshaw if you don’t wish to walk.
Can one find non-vegetarian food in Vrindavan?
Given that Vrindavan is a religious city and has been declared a pilgrimage site, the sale of meat as well as alcohol has been prohibited in the area. However, there is no ban on the consumption of said items and you might find a handful of eateries or restaurants serving non-vegetarian food.
Are the monkeys in Vrindavan known to be dangerous?
It is advisable to not get too close to the monkey in Vrindavan or to feed them anything since they are often known to be a little mischievous. Many tend to follow people and if you tease them, you might risk getting bit.
Is there something to avoid wearing in Vrindavan?
Since Vrindavan is a pilgrimage site, it is not a good idea to wear clothes that show off too much skin. It is advisable to wear traditional Indian clothes but if you don’t want to, you should avoid wearing tank tops, shorts, short skirts etc.
Is there a new temple being constructed in Vrindavan?
Yes, a new temple is in the process of being constructed in Vrindavan. I shall be called the Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir and is set to be the world’s tallest religious monument.
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