A sacred site that reminds one about the playful tricks of young Krishna, Vrindavan, on the holy banks of Yamuna reverberates the bounciness and youthful merriments of lord Krishna with the gopikas. Famed for the wide array of temples that scatters all over, this revered city witness’s lakhs of devotees every year and turned to be a major devout centre not only in Uttar Pradesh but also in entire India.
The name ‘Vrindavan’ is a derivative of the term ‘Vrinda’, which is akin to Tulsi plant that grows profusely through out the length and breadth of the city. Legend says that the entire surroundings were a tulsi coppice at one time. Some others believe that the term Vrindavan stands for Vrinda devi, one among the milkmaids.
What makes this tiny hamlet unique is the fact that this place is regarded as holy by every traditions of Hinduism. A great center of erudition and Krishna worship Vrindavan holds many ashrams and places that are related with Krishna from a very long time. From conventions and recorded evidence, one can assume that the thick woods of Vrindavan were the prettiest of all other forests in the country. Numerous falls and spring along with the sacred Yamuna generously nurture the lush greenery of pretty trees that acted as a perfect setting for Krishna to have his ‘rasaleela’ with the beautiful milkmaids. The place was a haven of wild life where the bird and animal folks sings and dances to the melodious tunes of Krishna’s flute. The entire environ of verdant woods and blossoming flowers of Vrindavan tantamount the divine love story of Krishna and Radha.
Normal life in this devout centre centers round Krishna, the cowherd boy who is considered as the most benevolent lord in the Hindu pantheon. All most every nook and corner the visitors will come across with temples and ghats in his name. Another peculiar aspect of this lovely city is that it happens to be the abode of helpless widows who come from different parts of the country. Nowhere in India one would find such gatherings of women who spent their entire life in complete seclusion and severe austerities. Though sounds cruel, this system has deep rooted traditional backings and no one dares to raise their voice against this centuries old custom.
The land of Shri Krishna where he spent his youth as a cowherd boy, has today tiny cities and settlements that still breaths and lives with the lord and where ever you go you would feel that each spot resounds with the malodorous and vibrant tales of the blue god. To a casual visitor Vrindavan might be just another typical Indian city with numerous temples and shrines but to a devotee this site is as sacred as the lord himself where they can experience the epitome of spiritual elation.
