06 Days: Delhi - Vrindavan - Mathura - Agra - Delhi

Introduction

Delhi

Chattarpur Mandir- A complex of temples called Chattarpur mandir is located beyond the Qutab Minar in Mehrauli. Dedicated to Goddess Durga. Build in South Indian style the temple complex is spread over a large area with beautiful lawns and gardens. Though devotees visit these temples through the year, during the navratras devotees come from near and far. During the festivals there are special bus services to these temples.

Lakshmi Narayan Temple - This temple was build by G. D. Birla in 1938. This beautiful temple is located in the west of Connaught Place. The temple is dedicated to the goddess of prosperity and good fortune. The temple has well grafted gardens. It is also known as the Birla Mandir.

Completed in 1998, this is a complex of temples. Built on a hilly place this temple is dedicated to the Lord Krishna and was built by the Hare-Rama Hare- Krishna cult followers. This complex is elegantly build and is one of the largest temple complexes in India. Currently the main attraction of the temple are the Robort who enact and preach the Gita. Iskcon Temple - The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) was initially raised as a spiritual society in New York to Propagate the message of the Bhagwad Gita. It was founded by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada is the founder acharya of the hare krishna movement. In India there are about 40 ISKCON temples. Contemplating the traditions of the ancient Vaishnava tradition, its philosophy and practice, these spiritual temples have left a mark on all mankind. Visiting these temples proves to be a pleasant and revealing experience.

Iskcon Temple dedicated to the Lord Krishna is built on a hilly place by the Hare-Rama Hare- Krishna cult followers. It was completed in 1998, this is a complex of Temples Architecture isone of the largest temple complexe stands at Hari Krishna Hill, Sant Nagar Main Road, East of Kailash, Delhi, India. Currently the main attraction of the temple is the Robort, who enact and preach the Gita. The magnificent temple has 'Shikharas' at a height of 90-feet above the ground level. The hall of the temple is centrally air-conditioned with a capacity to accommodate about 1,500 people.Beautiful would describe the architecture of the temple mildly… at the entrance are two statues of the guards of vekunth (the place where Shri Krishna resides). There are beautiful paintings of Russian artists on the different past times of Radha Krishna, Sita, Ram, Laxman, Hanuman and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Special programmes like kirtan, aarti, pravachan and prasadam are held every Sunday between noon to 3.00pm. The temple is one of the most beautiful and well-maintained ones in Delhi. 

Mathura

Mathura, a very important religious city of Uttar Pradesh for Hindus, It is the epicenter of Brajbhoomi, the land of Lord Krishna. It is located at a distance of 145 kms south-east of Delhi and 58 km north-west of Agra. An ancient city, Mathura derives its glory & sacred character from being the birth place of Lord Krishna. Through centuries, it has attracted pilgrims from the Hindu, Buddhist & Jaina fold.

History & Culture Mathura is a city with great history, although over the years only the ruins of the large palaces, temples, mosques, monasteries remains which speak widely about the city blessed with good ancient culture, tradition & heritage.

Ghats & Kunds There are about 25 ghats in Mathura today, of which the most important is the Vishram Ghat - where according to legend, Lord Krishna took his rest after killing Kansa. No pilgrimage to Mathura is complete without a visit to its kunds. There is the elegant shiv Tal, the more famous Potara Kund associated closely with Lord Krishna besides the Balbhadra and Saraswati kunds.

Vrindavan

Vrindavan, just 15 km from Mathura, is another major place of pilgrimage. It is the town of 4,000 temples where the sounds of celebrations for lord Krishna is constantly resounded. From the Delhi-Agra highway near Mathura, one can see the red temple that marks the place of Krishna's birth. However, it is only when one ventures a few miles down to Vrindavan that Krishna's real home is discovered.

History & Culture Although Vrindavan is not actually the place where lord Krishna is believed to have been born, it is here that he is said to have spent a great deal of time during his growing age. He used indulged in the playful acts with the gopis, such as hiding their clothes as they bathed in the river.

Main temples to be visited are: 

Madan Mohan Temple It is located near the Kali Ghat and is the oldest existent temple in Vrindavan today. The temple is closely associated with the saint Chaitanya.

Banke-Bihari Temple The Banke-Bihari Temple built in 1864 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 sect.

Shahji Temple The deities at the temple are popularly known as the Chhote Radha Raman. Noted for its magnificent architecture and beautiful marble sculpture, the temple has twelve spiral columns each 15 feet high.