Barsana Temples

Gehvar van is located in Barsana. This place is very dear to Shri Kishori Radha. The place is called Nitya Vihar, which means that Radha Krishna are always together here and there is no moment of separation here. This forest is very significant because this is the only forest in Braj which is decorated and created by Shri Radha Rani’s own hands. It is the secluded vihar site of madhur leelas of Thakur Ji and Radha Rani and they forget everything.

ak din Radha Krishna wanted to do makeover of each other and did that in Gahvar van (dense forest). Then Radha Mata asked Krishna ki mai kaisi lag rahi hu. Raat ka time tha to Krishna ko Chandra ma dekha to Krishna ne Radha Mata ki tulna Chandra se kardi to Radha Mata naraz ho gai ki Chandra mai to daag hai aur ja kar Maan mandir mai baith gai. Krishna ne Radha Mata ki friends ko Maan mandir bheja ye batane ke liye ki yaha kya kar rehe ho mor kutir mai mor he mor nach rehe hai. Radha Mata jab waha gai to Krishna b mor Bane hue the aur baahut natkhat mor the. Radha Mata kush ho gai aur kaha ki ye natkhat mor ko lao mere pass aur meri godi mai betha do.

This narrow passage-way lies between Brahma-parvat and Vishnu-parvat, and both gopas and gopis would make their way along it. After milking the cows, the gopas would carry the milk on kamvars, which is a bamboo stick with ropes attached to each end for carrying loads. They used this pathway to cross from one side of the hills to the other. Frolicsome Krishna would plunder the milk, yoghurt and butter of the jovial gopis here.

Krishna jumped and his hand mark is here

Maan means anger. This place located on the top of the Brahmagiri Parvat at Barsana, marks the Maan pastime of Sri Radharani. According to the pastime legend, once Sri Radharani was waiting for the arrival of Krishna. But Krishna was too late. Soon, Radharani’s pet parrot arrived and told her about Krishna’s meeting with a gopi called Chandrawali, which was the reason for his late arrival. That's why she got angry and performed maan.

Maangarh is a special place in Braj. Here Shyamsundar had pacified an angry mood Radha rani. He had tried to pacify her mood in many ways, sometimes puts his head on her feet, blows fan at her, sometimes shows her mirror, sometimes praying a lot, But when Radha rani doesn't get pleased with him then Shyamsundar takes help of her companions. For these pastimes held, this place has been known as 'Maan garh' .

by the time Shyamsundar tries to gratify her she started climbing more upwards. When Shreeji (Radha) reached peak level, then Shyamsundar took the help of her companions. He told to Shree Lalita, Visakha and other friends that he has got tired too much, now only you people can help me. Then all the of the Sakhees(female friends) go downwards and again move upwards in order that Radha support/accept Krishn and again as Sakhees move downwards, then Shyamsundar prays them to move upwards.

This 'Maan' temple is built upon 'Brahmgiri' hill. Failing to soothe Radha’s anger Krishna went from there and performed a dance Leela by dressing himself as a peacock to please Shri Radha Rani at Morkuti (which is opposite to Maan Mandir). Maangarh is located at Barsana in Gehvarvan.

The word ‘mayura’ as well as ‘mora’ are both names for a peacock and ‘kutira’ or ‘Kuti’ means a ‘small cottage’. This place has become famous because it was here that Shri Krishna danced just like a peacock. Once when Radharani was experiencing Her ‘mana’ or lovers pique, She came here and sat in solitude while sulking. In order to break Her ‘mana’ Shri Krishna came to this spot and began expertly dancing just like a peacock. Radharani became so enthralled by Krishna’s ecstatic peacock dance; She completely forgot Her mana and Krishna was once again able associate with Her.

On another occasion, it is said that Radha and Krishna were sitting at this spot when They were suddenly surrounded by hundreds of peacocks, who, with their exotic plumage in full array, started dancing in an ecstatic mood, due to seeing the combined beauty of the ‘divine lovers’ sitting together. Radha and Krishna then got up and also began to dance imitating the wonderful dancing movements of the peacocks.

At this Dana Ghati, Shri Krishna and His gopa friends would become tax collectors and demand milk, yoghurt and butter as toll-tax from the gopis. When the gopis refused to give any tax, Krishna would forcibly plunder and relish their milk products.The gopis, being tired of these daily encounters, decided one day to retaliate strongly.

They decided that on a chosen day they would all hide in the caves and dense kunjas on the hill on both sides of the narrow pathway. A few gopis would then cross Sankari-khor carrying pots of milk, yoghurt and butter on their heads. The plan was that the moment Krishna and His sakhas would stop them and try to plunder their load, the gopis would call out to their friends hiding nearby, who would at once descend from their hideouts. Then, under the leadership of Lalita, they would teach Krishna and His sakhas a good lesson.

And so it happened that the next day thousands and thousands of gopis divided into groups and hid themselves in the dense kunjas and large caves around Sankari-khor. Then, as usual, a few gopis placed pots of milk and yoghurt on their heads and made their way towards Sankari-khor. Krishna, Madhu-mangal and the other sakhas obstructed their path and forcibly began to plunder their milk and yoghurt. At once, these gopis signalled the gopis who were hiding, and a wonderful pastime took place. Five to ten gopis forcefully caught hold of Krishna.

Another five to ten caught hold of Madhu-mangal, and further groups captured Subala, Arjuna, Lavanga and the other sakhas. They slapped their cheeks till they were swollen. They then tied the tuft of hair on the back of their heads to the branches of the trees and asked them, "What pleasure is there in plundering our yoghurt? Will you ever do it again?" Madhumangal folded his hands and prayed at the feet of Lalita. "Please spare me. I was very hungry. I am a simple brahmana boy who fell under the influence of that fickle Krishna. I shall never behave like this again. The gopis thus taught the sakhas a lesson.

Radhika, Vishakha and some other gopis had captured Krishna. They slapped His cheeks a few times and then forcibly dressed Him like a woman with a blouse and skirt. They even put vermilion in the parting of His hair, bangles on His arms, anklets on His feet, and so on. They covered half His face with a veil, placed a pot of yoghurt on His head and began to make fun of Him by demanding tax on the yoghurt.

From the top of the hill, Lalita Sakhi aimed a stone at the pot of yoghurt on Krishna's head, breaking it and drenching His whole body. All the sakhis began to laugh and clap, and Shyama felt very ashamed. "Will You dare to demand tax on our yoghurt ever again?" they asked. "Hold Your ears and vow, `From today, I will never try to tax the gopis' yoghurt." They forced Krishna to repeat this.

King from Rajasthan who was very much devoted to Shri Barsana Dham made this temple. He decided to build the temple dedicated to Shri Laadli Laal. After completion of construction of the temple he also wanted to place the beautiful deity of Shri Laadli Laal currently residing in Shri Radharani temple, Barsana at the temple. He built small rooms around the deity where he and his family members, ministers could stay. When it was complete, a during the time of installation of deities, bringing the deities of the little temple to this place. But the day before the installation Shri Radharani appeared to the King in a dream and told him, “The place where the little temple is situated, that is my home, and not this.” Therefore, the King built another big temple where the little temple was. The King wasn’t angry or frustrated. He realized it as a grace of Shri Radharani. So Shri Radharani and Shri Krishn continue to reside where their place is. Albeli Sarkar Ki Jai.

On top of one of the hills of Barsana, is the Shriji's Temple, which is where the original Radha Krishna Deities of Barsana reside. 
Shriji is the locally known name of Radha Rani. According to the Varah and Padma Puranas, Brahma pleased Shri Krishna at the end of Satya Yug by performing arduous worship. Pleased with Brahma, Shri Hari instructed him, "Go to Brsabhanupura and take the form of a hill there. In that form you will be able to behold all Our sweet pastimes.” On top of Brahma-parvat is a temple of Shri Laadli Laal. This temple is said to have been actually established by king Vajranabh 5000 years ago. He was the great grandson of Shri Krishna and the grandson of Pradyumna. But with the courses of time the deities were lost.Later Narayan Bhatt, one of the disciples of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu excavated the lost deities in the nearby place and installed them here in this temple. Ladli means the beloved daughter and Lal means the beloved son thus the temple enshrined with the deities of Lord Krishna and Radha is also known as Ladli lal Temple.

Vrishbhanu Temple, located at Barsana, almost 200 meters from Shri Radharani temple. Here at this place, one can have the darshan of Shri Radha with Her mother Kirti, father Vrishbhanu and brother Shri Damaj

Shri Radha Bag, Barsana is located in Barsana. Radha Bagh is a beautiful place to visit which has old Raas Leela Sthalis, a temple, and beautiful groves inside it. Here many Rasik devotees have worshipped Shri Radha. Some of these Rasik devotees are Gaunrangi Sharan Ji (guru of Shri Hita Premanand Ji), Shri Albeli Sharan of the Haridasi sect. etc who have stayed here many years and performed Bhajan here. There is also one ancient well, the water of which is used in the service of Shri Radharani in Radharani temple Barsana.

This stone slide is situated on Sakhīgiri-parvata, and is adjacent to Lalitā-vivāha-sthala. Lalitā and other sakhīs used to slide here. Even today, one can see the mark of the slide on the hill, as well as the markings of red lac (altā) from the gopīs’ feet. Nearby, on the northern part of the hilltop, are some astonishing śilās that appear multicoloured when the sun’s rays shine on them. The gopīs would also paint wonderful pictures (citra) on these śilās, and therefore these śilās are called citra-śilās. One who faithfully searches and prays on this hilltop can sometimes even see the gopīs’ footprints there.

Krishna ji ne deh ke barabar Sona daan kiya tha. Ak Brahman ne Krishna se daan mang liya. Krishna ne kaha mera sab kuch to Radha he hai to Radha ko daan kar diya. Baad mai Krishna ko realise hua ki Radha ke bina to the nai sakte to wapis manga. Brahman ne kaha daan wapis nai liya jata. Wapis lene ke liye us weight ke barabar kuch dena padhta hai to Krishna ne deh ke weight jitna Sona daan Diya tha yaha.

Once, Shri Radha and Shri Krishna were taking a bath here during a festival with their female friends. When they were preparing themselves after the bath, a poor Brahmin came there. came and addressed Shri Krishna in a pitiful voice, "I have a daughter of marriageable age, but due to lack of money, I cannot give her to a suitable husband. Therefore, please give me some money." Shri Krishna thought, "Radha is my only and absolute property. But for that, I have nothing else of value." So he said to the brahmin, "I want to give you my entire fortune, not just a little money." He then pointed to Sri Radha and said, " He is my complete property. and wealth. Please accept it. When the poor Brahmin heard this, he started banging his head in sadness. He said, "O Vrajesh-nandana, I could not even arrange a suitable husband for one of my daughters; how shall I ever be able to marry two? This is disastrous for me. Krishna placed Priyaji in one pan of the scales and her weight in gold in the other pan. Then he gave all this gold to the Brahmin. Mrs.ji was also pleased with this arrangement, which gave her relief from a lot of trouble. The Brahmin was given gold in abundance and very happily returned to his home, where he solemnized the marriage of his daughter with a grand celebration.

Uncha Gaon (village) is situated one mile west of Barsana, is the village of Shri Lalita Sakhi. Here divine pastimes of Shri Priya priytam took place. Lalita Sakhi Mandir, the birthplace of Shri Lalita Sakhi is situated here.

Surrounding this pond are Pilu trees that produce fruits in abundance. On the pretext of collecting Pilu fruits, Shri Radharani would come here to perform varieties of playful pastimes. Shri Krishn would also come here from Nandagaon and enact many pastimes with Her. Once, during her childhood pastimes, Shri Radhika and Her sakhis went to Nandagaon to see Yashoda Mayia. Charmed by Shri Radha’s beauty and qualities, Yashoda Maiya painted Kishori Ji Shri Radha's hands yellow. Radhika's heart became very happy but, as She returned to Her father’s house in Barsana, She became quite embarrassed. She washed and scrubbed Her hands in this pond, and the pond’s water turned yellow. This pond is therefore called Peeli Pokhar, “the yellow pond”.It is also called Priya Kund.

Created by kripalugi maharaj who created prem mandir.

The village of Sanket is situated four km north of Barsana. Here the first meeting of Radha and Krishna took place, through the endeavours of Sri Subala (for Sri Krishna) and Sri Lalita sakhi (for Srimati Radharani). Because the meeting of Radha and Krishna was established here through hints this place is called Sanket, the word ‘Sanket’ means ‘to give a hint’

Sanket Devi is Yogamaya. Her temple is here because she arranges the meetings between Radha and Krishna. Gopala Bhatta Gosvami’s bhajana kutir is directly next to (almost touching) the Sanket Devi temple. It seems that you can have darshan of the Deity of Sanket Devi at any time during the day. Rasa Sthali, which is said to be a favorite site for rasa-lila is right next to the temple. In a corner of the temple are two stones covered with vermilion. It is believed that these stones represent the original goddess Sanket.