Mathura & Vrindavan - Mathura Vrindavan Tour
Mathura is the birth place of Lord Krishna and is today an important place of pilgrimage. Located in the Utter Pradesh state of India, Mathura city is at a distance of 145km south-east of Delhi and 58km north-west of Agra.
Situated on the west bank of the river Yamuna, it is centre of Brajbhoomi. Mathura has many ghats or river banks which are associated with mythology. Mathura is not only a land of temples but also has been a centre of Buddhism.
Normally Vrindavan is said in the same breath as Mathura but in actual Vrindavan is a few miles off Mathura. Some of the most famous temples are Banke Bihari Temple, Rang ji Temple and Iskcon Temple. Enjoy evening Yamuna ji ki Aarti at vishram ghat and boating in Holy River Yamuna
Vrindavan, just 15 km from Mathura, is another major place of pilgrimage. A place where Lord Krishna spent his childhood on the banks of the river Jamuna. Vrindavan is also known as the ‘City of Widows’... It is noted for its numerous temples - both old and modern. The name Vrindavan evokes the playfulness and lovable characteristics of Shri Krishna. This is the wood where he frolicked with the gopis and tenderly wooed Radha.
Vrindavan is the land of kadamb groves, where Krishna courted his beloved Radha and played pranks on the gopis or milkmaids, a land immortalised by stories of Krishna’s love games. Despite the decay that has set in, the town comes alive with major festivals like Janamashtami, Holi and Radhashtami. It is estimated that half a million pilgrims visit the town every year, mostly during the festivals.
Kanyakumari or Kumari Amman Temple
Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin) is an important pilgrim centre. If you are going to visit India and especially the city of Kanyakumari, then one thing that you must know about the place is that Kanniyakumari is famous for its spectacular sunrises and sunsets, especially on full moon day. It is at its best during Chitra Pournami (full moon day in April) when the sun and moon are face to face at the same horizon.
Kanyakumari Temple overlooks the shoreline. It is dedicated to Parvati as Devi Kanya, the Virgin Goddess who did penance to obtain the hand of Lord Shiva. The main entrance to the temple is through the northern gate though the deity is facing east. The eastern entrance is kept closed except on special occasions when the deity is taken out for ceremonial bath.
Ajmer-E-Sharif
Ajmer-E-Sharif also known as Dargah Sharief is the most sacred of all Muslim places of pilgrimage in India and is the place where the Muslim saint Khajwa Moinudin Chishti lie in eternal piece. Situated about 135 km southwest of Jaipur and located at the foot of a Barren hill in Ajmer, the shrine was built by Humayun with a huge gateway to the Dargah carved in silver, which was built by the Nizam of Hyderabad.
One of the attractive and famous sanctums present in the inner court of the Dargah is the magnificent mosque built by Shahjahan in white marble beautified with delicate carvings with trellis work. On the right side of the courtyard there is another mosque built by Akbar and two iron cauldrons (degs) in which donations are made.
|
