Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi

Uttar Pradesh, Mathura, Lucknow

The small, dark prison cell, where the eighth incarnation of Vishnu and one of the most popular Gods of Hinduism, Lord Krishna was born has been, has been over the years renovated into a beautiful temple for the devotees to worship his divinity. The jail doors, prison wall, cement beds and other relics reverberate with the presence of the Lord. The shrines in the complex have been constructed and destroyed over various eras through history. The complex is studded with temples, old and new, radiating the essence of Krishna all through the air of Mathura. According to the folklore, the first temple was constructed on this spot by Vajranabha, the great grandson of Lord Shri Krishna. The next temple was constructed here during the reign of Gupta Emperor, Chandragupta Vikramaditya in 400 A.D which was destroyed by Mahmud Ghaznavi. Maharaja Vijayapal Deva, then constructed a third temple. This structure was destroyed in the early sixteenth century during the reign of Sikandar Lodi. About 125 years later, Raja Veer Singh Deva Bundela of Orchha constructed another magnificent temple. This was later destroyed by Aurganazeb. 'Shri Krishna Janma Bhoomi Trust' with the help of many prominent devotees of the Lord, developed the divine premise.

Legend

Devaki's brother, had ascended the throne by imprisoning his father. A prophecy from heavens predicted Kamsa's death at the hands of Devaki's eighth child. Kamsa locked his sister and husband, Vasudeva in prison and killed their children, one by one, immediately after birth. The seventh child is believed to have been transferred to the womb of Rohini. That is how Balram was born. In the month of Bhadrapada, at midnight, as darkness engulfed and the rains poured over the earth, Devaki had her eighth son. The prison door opened and the river split as the divine intervention allowed Vasudeva to secretly take the new born from the clutches of evil. He left him at Gokula in the house of Yashoda. The divine place inside the prison cell, where the Lord is believed to have born is the Krishna Janmabhoomi of Mathura.

This temple is part of famous Saptapuri Yatra.

Architecture

Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple was built over the prison which was believed to be the birth place of Lord Krishna.This temple complex is monumental and presents an imposing structure studded with a number of old and new, small and large, temples. The complex constitutes of Garbhagriha, Keshavdeva and Bhagwat Bhavan which houses five shrines. The garbhagriha is where the image of the main Deity is kept. The temple is approached by a flight of steps and is built on a platform. The entrance has a porch with carved pillars. The Bhagwat Bhavan has the main Radha-Krishna temple, shrines of Shri Balram, Subhadra and Shri Jagannath on the right and Shri Sita, Ram and Lakshman temples on the left. The idols of Radha Krishna are of human size. Lord Shiva is present here in the form of a mercury Linga. The temple complex nearby has artistic murals painted on its roof and copper plates with Bhagavath Gita on it welded to the walls.

Darsan Info

SUMMER

5.00 A.M. to 12.00 Noon

4.00 P.M. to 9.30 P.M.

WINTER

5.30 A.M. to 12.00 Noon

3.00 P.M. to 8.30 P.M.

Security is very tight and devotees cannot carry mobile, camera, gadgets etc inside the temple premises.

Darsan Dresscode

Devotees are advised to wear clean and conservative clothing

Famous Festival

January - Basant Panchami

March - Holi

August - Janmashtami

November - Deepavali

Culture

Mathura is one of the ancient cities in India, mentioned from the time of Ramayana. Being the birth place of Lord Krishna, it is considered one of the Saptapuri pilgrimage centres where moksha can be attained. Mathura sees celebrations on a grand scale during Janmashtami and other festival days. Raasleela of Mathura, depicting the love of Krishna and Radha, is a prominent part of the festival as well as Indian folklore.

Temple Rituals

The priests perform regular puja, aarti, abhisheka and rituals to the various deities. Keertans, bhajans, chanting & prayers echo in the complex

Special Rituals

Janmashtami is celebrated with zealous festivities in Mathura. As Krishna was born at midnight, celebrations lead to the time, after which the main pujas and rituals take place. Abhishekams, cradle rocking, chants, hymns and presenting the Lord with a 56 dish meal are some of the customs of that day. Nearly 10 lakh devotees are believed to come to Mathura to pay their respects to Lord Krishna on Janmashtami.