#Bhandirvan #vrindavan #iskconbangalore #vamshivat #mansarovar #lordkrishna
00:00 Intro
00:16 Bhandiravana
05:26 Vamshi Vata
08:10 Bilvavana
10:59 Gopeshwara Mahadeva Temple
12:42 Maan Sarovara
14:42 Outro
We are in the penultimate phase of our journey. Welcome to the eighth day of the Parikrama. Today we will visit some of the greener side of Braja Mandala. We start with Bhandirvana, where Lord Krishna would sport with His playmates. We then visit a Banyan tree, under which a grand wedding ceremony between Radha Krishna was performed. We then go to a well created by Krishna Himself, and have darshan of Sri Lakshmiji. Finally we visit a place where Lord Krishna had to pacify an angry Radha with folded hands.
BHANDIRAVANA (Chhanhari)
While herding Their cows, Krishna and Balarama used to come to this forest along with Their cowherd boyfriends and enjoyed playing various games, after which they would take their lunch under the cooling shade of the large banyana trees that grew in this forest. It is also said that the cowherd boys used to enjoy wrestling and other sporting pastimes here at Bhandiravana.
BHANDIRA VATA
This is the sacred spot beneath the shade of this ancient banyana tree (vata-vriksa) which is known as Bhandira Vata and the place where Lord Brahma performed the vivaha-lila, or the wedding ceremony between Radha and Krishna mentioned in the Garga Samhita.
KRISHNA'S MUKUT & VENU KUPA
The word ‘venu’ refers to Krishna’s ‘flute’ and ‘kupa’ means a ‘well’. Some say the well was created by Krishna to quench the thirst of the cowherd boys as Chhanhari was a favorite spot for enjoying picnics. Another version says that Krishna created the well to satisfy the gopis thirst after the night-long rasa-lila at Vamsi Vata. Just next to Venu Kupa, one can see what is said to be the impression of Balarama’s crown (mukut) upon a rock. It is said that Balarama once rested here and took off His mukut when He lay down.
VAMSHI VAT
It is said that at this place under the vata tree, Krishna would play His vamsi or flute in order to call all the cows together before returning home in the late afternoon.
BELVAN (LAKSHMI DEVI MANDIR)
The name Bilvavana, or Baelvana as it is also known, is derived from of a large round fruit known as ‘bilva’, commonly called ‘bael fruit’ in most parts of India. This large fruit formerly grew in great abundance in this sacred forest and the cowherd boys would come here just to at the bael fruit. This sacred forest is also known as Shrivana because it is the residence of Shri Devi, the ‘goddess of fortune’. Places of interest here include the famous Lakshmi Devi Mandira, and Lakshmi Bhavana, said to have been the site of Lakshmi Devi’s bhajana-kutira.
MANA SAROVARA & RADHARANI MANDIR
The sacred lake of Mana-sarovara is a most beautiful and tranquil place inhabited by a variety of water-birds like ducks, herons and cranes. Located on the banks of Mana-sarovara is the Mana Mandira where a painting is worshiped that depicts the sacred pastime that took place here where Krishna is seen bowing down and offering His flute at the lotus feet of Radharani.
ISKCON Bangalore presents Braja Mandala Parikrama, a captivating virtual pilgrimage that explores the sacred sites associated with Lord Krishna's divine childhood pastimes. From the holy birthplaces of Krishna and Radharani to the lush forests where They frolicked with Their friends, this web series offers a unique opportunity to experience the magic of Vrindavan from the comfort of your home.
Lord Krishna appeared on earth about 5,000 years ago to protect His innocent devotees from the hands of wicked demons terrorising the planet. He also came to demonstrate His loving pastimes to the people of this world to revive the dormant love everyone has for Him.
Discover the sacred places of Lord Krishna's childhood pastimes with the Vrindavan Web Series, an online pilgrimage tour. In this journey, you can explore Krishna and Radharani's birthplaces, where They grew up and performed Their ever-compelling lilas with Their parents, friends, the cowherd boys and girls, cows, mischievous monkeys, where Krishna killed demons sent by the tyrannical Kamsa and much more, all from the comfort of your home.
The Braja Mandala Parikrama features narration and presentation by Sampati Dasa, President of @hkmpune. He guides us through this sacred journey with insightful commentary, enriching our experience of the pilgrimage. His narration provides historical and spiritual context, deepening the understanding of the holy sites visited during the parikrama and enhancing the overall devotional experience.
Join us on this enthralling journey to the land of over 5,000 Krishna temples.
