Mathura vrindavan architecture

MATHURA AND
VRINDAVAN TEMPLE
ARCHITECTURE
 ANISHA 2012UAR1740
 KRISTI VERMA 2012UAR1634

The basic structure of temples in India is
a room or
garbhagriha where the image of the main
Deity is kept. The temple is
approached by a flight of steps and is
often built on a
platform. A porch covers the entrance to
the temple,
which is supported by carved pillars.
Temple architecture

Temple architecture in India is
broadly divided into northern
and southern styles,
classified by the form and shape of
the shikhara and the
distinctiveness of its
decoration. Some temples from
South India also have tall
shikharas
over the elaborate gateways or
gopurams to add to the overall
symmetry to the temple
complex.

The shikhara of the temples in
North and Central India, in
contrast,
resembles an upturned cone that
is decorated with miniature
conical shikharas.
Some temples developed their
own local flavor apart from
adhering to their basic
native style.

Dvarkadhish Temple
The Dvarkadhish Temple, built in
1814, is a popular
temple in the center of Mathura town.
This is the most
visited temple in the center of
Mathura and is
managed by followers of
Vallabhacarya. Once you enter
this temple from the street, it is
fairly interesting architecturally.
Main Temples and Holy
Places of Mathura

Jami Masjid on a plinth
raised above street level
a little way north, was
completed in
1661 by Aurangzeb's
governor Abd-un-Nabi. It
has long since lost its
original vivid
glazed tiles, but remains
surrounded by four
minarets and assorted
outer pavilions.
Jami and Katra Masjids
(mosques)

This was erected on the
foundations of the once-
famous
Kesava Deo temple, destroyed
by the Moghul emperor,
which had itself been built
on the ruins of a Buddhist
monastery. Some traces of
the Hindu temple can be
seen
around the back, where the Sri
Krishna Janmasthan or
Janmabhumi complex now
stands.
Kesavadeva Temple

 Vrindavan is also the center for various Vaishava groups. In a
centuries-old tradition Hindu widows have been coming to live out the
rest of their lives in Vrindavan. They are expected to shed all physical
adornments, including long hair, wear only white cotton saris and
lead an austere lifestyle.
Vrindavan - The City Of
Temples
• Vrindavan, around 15 km from Mathura, is a little
town and a major place of pilgrimage on the banks
of Yamuna. Attracting about 500 000 pilgrims every
year, mainly during major festivals like
Janmashtami, Holi and Radhashtami, it is noted for
its numerous temples, both old and modern, big and
small (allegedly 5000 altogether). Vrindavan is
synonymous with the childhood pastimes of Sri
Krishna.
• This is the wood where he frolicked with the gopis and
tenderly wooed Radha.
• In Vrindavan there are thousands of widows coming
mostly from Bengal. They begin their day by bathing in
the Yamuna and congregate at ashrams to sing bhajans
(devotional songs). In return, they get a daily ration of
rice and pulses and some cash. Subsisting on charitable
donations made by wealthy traders, the widows pass
their life in devotion to Krishna, the Supreme Lord.
WIDOWS
KRISHNA PAINTING
PILGRIMS
VRINDAVAN

• The name 'Vrindavan' is derived from 'Vrinda', another name for the sacred tulsi (basil) plant.
It is said that the entire place was a tulsi grove at one time. According to another tradition, it
was named after Vrinda Devi, one of Krishna's consorts.
• The earliest known shrine in Vrindavan is said to have been built by the local Goswamis in a
large garden called Nidhiban. According to tradition, Mughal Emperor Akbar was taken
blindfolded inside the grove where he had some kind of a spiritual experience. As a result,
he acknowledged the spot as being holy ground.
• The four temples that were built in honor of his visit are Madan Mohan, Govinda Deva,
Gopinath, and Jugal Kishore.
HISTORY
Madan
Mohan
Govinda
Deva
Gopinath
Jugal
Kishore

 Madan Mohan Temple located near the
Kali Ghat was built by Kapur Ram Das
of Multan. This is the oldest temple in
Vrindavan.
FAMOUS TEMPLES
 The temple is closely associated with the
saint Chaitanya Mahaprabhu . The
original image of Lord Madan Gopal was
shifted from the shrine to Karauli in
Rajasthan for safe keeping
during Aurangzeb's rule. Today, a replica
of the image is worshiped at the temple.PLAN
DETAILS
THE
ENTRANCE

STORY OF MADAN MOHAN
TEMPLE Sometimes in the morning, Shri Sanatan Goswami walked the 16 miles from
Vrindavan to Govardhan to perform the fourteen-mile long parikrama of Govardhan.
From there, he would walk another sixteen miles to Mathura to collect alms
(madhukari) and then again walk back to his bhajana-kuti in Vrindavan.
 Nowdays, Madan Mohanji resides in Karauli. In 1748 AD, a Pratibhu Vigraha of Madan
Mohan was established here. Then, in 1819 AD, Shri Nand Lal Vasu constructed the
present temple.
 One day, he came to the house of a Chaube brahmana in Mathura for alms. In the
house of the Chaube, two beautiful boys were playing the game gulli-danda. Madan,
the restless, fidgety boy with a dark-bluish complexion defeated the son of the
Chaube. Madan climbed upon the shoulders of the defeated boy and enjoyed a `horse
ride'. But when the Chaube's son defeated Madan the second time they played, and it
was his turn to enjoy a ride on Madan's shoulders, Madan ran into the temple room.
Seeing this, the son of the Chaube angrily abused and pursued Him. He wanted to
enter the temple, but the priest scolded him and chased him away. Pointing his
forefinger at Madan, who had turned into the deity, the son of the Chaube said, "You
just wait, I will see You tomorrow.“
 This scene amazed Shri Sanatan Goswami. The next day, he arrived a little earlier, at
breakfast time, desiring to again have darshan. Although she had not yet taken bath,
the Chaubain was making khichri for both boys, who were sitting waiting for their
breakfast. Maiya was brushing her teeth with one end of a stick and was stirring the
khichri with the other end. When she had finished cooking, she served the boys the hot
khichri in bowls, cooling it down by blowing on it with her mouth. The boys were
relishing this khichhri with great love.

 The Chaubain realized her mistake, and replied, "Baba, from tomorrow, I will be clean
when I cook and serve the boys their breakfast.“
 Shri Sanatan Goswami wanted to see some more pastimes of the deity of Shri
Madan-mohan, so on the third day he went there again. Breakfast was delayed that
day because Maiya was taking bath. She then had to clean the pots. The hungry boys
were demanding breakfast. Maiya pacified them, and after completing her morning
chores, she started cooking khichri. The two boys were pulling on her cloth and
insisting on eating at once. Sanatan Goswami was unable to tolerate this. He
approached her and said,
"Maiya, there is no need for you to be clean by bathing. If this Madan is pleased with
your unclean and impure breakfast, then you should do as such. I have committed an
offence at your feet. From tomorrow, you should do whatever you think is proper to
satisfy them." Just as Sanatan Goswami was about to leave, the boy Madan came out
of the temple room and said, "Baba, I will come with you.“
 But Shri Sanatan Goswami replied, "I am a completely renounced person. I have
neither a place to live, nor any arrangement to cook palatable food. If even Yashoda-
maiya could not completely satisfy You, how can I take care of You?" The child Madan
nonetheless insisted on coming with him. Sanatan Goswami said, "If You really want
to come, then You will have to follow me on foot. I cannot carry You on my shoulders."
The boy said, "I will walk behind you, but do not turn around along the way to look at
Me. You can look at Me only at your bhajana-kuti."
When Sanatan Goswami had reached his bhajana-kuti, he turned around and saw the
boy Madan smile and change into His deity form. Sanatan Goswami constructed an
altar by putting a board on top of a few stones and seated Him there.
STORY OF MADAN MOHAN
TEMPLE

 The meaning is that Sri Krishna is 'Ban ke Bihari' ~ One
who moves or dwells in the forests. 'Ban' or 'Van' meaning
Forest and 'Bihari' or 'Vihari' meaning 'One who dwells' or
'One who moves' or 'One who roams‘.
Another popular name of Krishna is 'Kunj Vihari' ~ One
who moves among the groves. Most of Sri Krishna's
pastimes were around the forests adjoining the banks of
river Yamuna. Therefore he is also known as Yamunakunj
vihari
 Banke Bihari Temple, built in 1862 is the
most popular shrine at Vrindavan. The image
of Banke-Bihari was discovered in Nidhi Vana
by Swami Haridas, the great Krishna
devotee, belonging to
the Nimbarka sampradaya.
FAMOUS TEMPLES
THE
STATUE
INTERIORS
THE ENTRANCE

•Prem Mandir is the most beautiful and clean,
religious and spiritual complex situated on a 54-
acre site on the outskirts of Vrindavan, is one of
the newest temples dedicated to Divine Love. The
temple structure was established by spiritual
guru Kripalu Maharaj.
FAMOUS TEMPLES
•The main structure built in marble looks
incredibly beautiful and is an educational
monument that reflects the true history of
Sanatana Dharma. Figures of Shri Krishna and
his followers depicting important events
surrounding the Lord’s existence cover the
main temple.
INTERIORS
ENTRY
GATE
FRONT
VIEW

 Rangaji Temple, built in 1851 is dedicated to
Lord Ranganatha or Rangaji depicted as
Lord Vishnu in his sheshashayi pose, resting on
the coils of the sacred Sesha Naga. The temple
built in the Dravidian style (as a replica
of Srivilliputhur) has a tall gopuram (gateway), of
six storeys and a gold-plated Dhwaja stambha,
50 feet high.
FAMOUS TEMPLES
•A water tank and a picturesque garden lie within
the temple enclosure. The annual festival of Jal
Vihar of the presiding deity is performed with
great pomp and splendour at the tank. The
temple is also famous for its 'Brahmotsdav'
celebration in March–April, more popularly
known as the 'Rath ka Mela'. The ten-day-long
celebrations are marked by the pulling of the
rath (the chariot car) by the devotees from the
temple to the adjoining gardens.PLAN OF
SURROUNDINGS
3D VIEW

 Govind Dev (Govindaji) Temple was once a
magnificent seven storeyed structure built in the
form of a Greek cross. It is said that the
Emperor Akbar donated some of the red
sandstone that had been brought for the Red
Fort at Agra, for the construction of this temple.
FAMOUS TEMPLES
 Built at the astronomical cost of one crore rupees
in 1590 by his general Raja Man Singh, the
temple combines western, Hindu and Muslim
architectural elements in its structure. It was
destroyed by Mughal ruler Aurangzeb.
3D VIEW
INTERIORS
FRONT
FACADE
THE
STATUE

 The temple is called Shree Radha Ras Bihari Ashta
Sakhi Mandir and it is home to the divine Rasa Lila of
Lord Krishna and Radharani. It is located in close
proximity to the Shri Banke Behari Mandir. Legend has it
that the Shree Radha Rasa Behari Ashta Sakhi Mandir
is one of the two places in Mathura, Vrindavan where
the Lord Krishna actually indulges in the Rasa Lila with
his beloved Radha and her sakhis. On these nights,
devotees have reported hearing the sound of the
anklets, beating in tune to a divine melody.
FAMOUS TEMPLES
 Shree Radha Ras Bihari Ashta Sakhi Temple: The temple is
centuries old and is the first Indian temple that is dedicated to the
divine couple and their Ashta Sakhi’s - the eight "companions" of
Radha who were intimately involved in her love play with the Lord
Krishna. The Ashta Sakhis are mentioned in the ancient texts
of Puranas and the Bhagavata Purana.
PAINTINGS TELLING
STORIES OF LIFETIME
ENTRANCE

 Braj Parikrama - The Rainy month of Bhadon, the month when the Lord Krishna was born.
The famous Braj Parikrama - a pilgrimage of all the places in Braj that associated with Shri
Krishna, is undertaken. Traditionally, the Chaurasi kos (84 kos) pilgrimage of Braj Mandal,
with its 12 vanas (forests). 24 upvanas (groves), sacred hill Govardhan, divine River Yamuna
and numerous holy places along its banks, is undertaken annually by lakhs of devotees from
all over the country.
 Gokul - The most celebrated of Shri Krishna's abode, Gokul lies to the west of Sadabad, 1.6
km from Mahavan and 15 km south-east of Mathura, on the Mathura - Etah metalled road. It
was here that Lord Krishna was brought up in secrecy by Yashoda, in the pastoral beauty of
this village on the banks of the Yamuna.
 The celebration of Janmashtami in August is unparalleled for its gaiety and melas are
constant attraction here.
 Govardhan - Govardhan is situated west of Mathura on the state highway to Deeg. A famous
place of Hindu pilgrimage, Govardhan is located on a narrow sandstone hill known as Giriraj
which is about 8 km in length. The young Lord Krishna is said to have held Giriraj up on the
tip of a finger for 7 days and nights to shield the people of Braj from the deluge of rain sent
down by Lord Indra.
SIGHT SEEING &
EXCURSION

 Barsana - Barsana, is situated at the foot of a
hill named after Brahma. Barsana was once
the home of Radha-Rani, Krishna's beloved.
 The birth anniversary of Radha-Rani is
celebrated on the ninth day of the bright half of
Bhadrapad (July-August) at the Mor-Kutir
Temple which was built about 300 years ago.
Women celebrate the occasion by giving
laddus to the peacocks - to symbolize the
serving of sweets by Radha to Lord Krishna.
 Barsana is also famous for its 'Latthmar' Holi-
celebration of the festival of colour.
 Nandgoan - Nadgaon lies 8.5 km north of
Barsana on the metalled road to Mathura (56
km). According to tradition, it was the home of
Shri Krishna's foster father, Nand.
 A little beyond is the Pan Sarovar, a large lake
with masonry ghats along its sides. Legend
has it, that this was the place where Shri
Krishna used to take his cows for water.
 Radhakund - Just 5 km north of Govardhan
and 26 km west of Mathura, Radhakund is a
large lake, where Shri Krishna is said to have
killed Arista - the bull demon. To commemorate
this event, every year on the 8th day of the
dark half of the month of Kartik (Oct./Nov.), a

Mathura vrindavan architecture

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