A VISIT TO MATHURA- VARINDAVAN

 

           Year 2021. I had been to Mathura-Varindavan. It was my life time experience that I undertook twenty four kilometers of bare feet walk around Shri Goverdhan Parvat Parikrama on the night of 5-6 March. Before the main event, I, along with one of the couples from Panipat, visited Shri Radhe temple in Barsana. This is an oldest temple with intricately carved out panels, doors, windows and jharokhas and is said to be real the home of Shri Radhaji where she lived when very young. 

          This temple is located atop a hillock and is only approached by the steep climb through small stairs going up through a narrow winding lane overlooking all the way by double story olden time houses.

         On 5 March, it was Laddu Holy celebrations which is very popular in Nand Gaon and Barsana. Since there is huge rush of devotees, specially on the eve of Laddu Holy and Lathmaar Holy, it was extremely difficult, first to reach at the temple Garb Greh, have divine Darshan and then to climb down, very cautiously, on the wet and slippery footsteps, almost diagonally, and at the same time, negotiating with the force of uncontrolled human rush from all sides, specially from behind.

          Night was my lifetime terrible experience, though coupled with surrender and devotional ‘Astha’ in the Almighty. Walking bare feet for twenty four kilometers continuously, without any break was a very cumbersome and painful experience. But, in order to make an effort to feel the close proximity of God, no price is bigger for anyone who believes in Him. 

         The Parikrama is not considered useful and complete unless one visits the ‘Wanke Behari’ at Varindavan where anyone and everyone feels elated to have a short glimpse of ‘Holy Darshan’ of Behariji as He lives and is always present there every moment. Prasad of ‘Mathura ke Pede’ is considered one of the best items of ‘Chhappan Bhog’ for the Lord!

          On 6 March, at eight in the evening, I reached home and since then, trying to nurse my paining body parts and waiting for the relief to come!

Radhe Radhe!!