Vrindavan Slideshow Part One

In April our Hinduism Today India correspondent Rajiv Malik and photographer Arun Mishra spent almost two weeks in the Vrindavan/Mathura area just south of Delhi. We present excerpts from the photographs in this part one slide show. Their work generated two feature stories for Hinduism Today, the first in the Oct, 2016 issue and the second in January, 2017. The area is one of the most popular pilgrimage destinations in India. It is revered by all Hindus, but is especially sacred to those of the Vaishnavite traditions. The entire region is called "Braj" and is the boyhood home of Lord Krishna where many of His "leelas" or adventures took place as recorded in the Bhagavata Purana and other scriptures.

Gaushala Nagar Vrindavan Shri Golok Dham Ashram in Vrindavan. The ashram\

s head swami, Gopal Sharan Maharaj, was a tremendous help to our team throughout their stay.'

Shri Banke Bihari Mandir temple at Vrindavan. As with many of the temples in this crowded city, it is really quite difficult to get a good photograph of the temple.

Widows and sadhus line up outside the temples to collect alms from pilgrims.

One of the hundreds of shops carrying all manner of sacred items associated with Radha and Krishna.

Jaipur Temple or Radha Madhav Temple at Vrindavan.

Enshrined main Deities of the Jaipur Temple

Inside of Jaipur Temple

Jubilant pilgrims arrive at Jaipur Temple or Radha Madhav Temple

Grounds of the Ramakrishan Mission which has a large hospital facility here and does extensive social service work.

Shri Katyayani Peeth temple at Vrindavan

This is the grounds of Nidhi Van in Vrindavan, site of some of the most revered leelas. The entire area was once like this, sand and tulsi plants, but since the 16th century has been so extensively developed that only a few open acres remain.

Temple at Nidhi Van, considered a must visit by pilgrims to Vrindavan

Vrindavan is infamous for its thieving monkeys--this one has Rajiv\

s glasses. The banana he has in his left hand was an unsuccessful bribe to get the glasses back. Instead they got tossed in an open drain.'

This is the temple of Devki Nandan Thakur Ji, one of the recent ones build here. The founder is a popular Bhagavat Katha exponent.

Brahma Kund or pond with a statue of Lord Brahma in the middle. It was recently restored.

Inside of Vidhwa Mahila Ashram, one of many set up to care for the \"White Widows\" of Vrindavan. These women are almost entirely from West Bengal and have come here voluntarily or involuntarily.

Woman with Bal Gopal Laddu Gopal which she has just bought probably for her home shrine.

The South Indian style Ranganathaji Temple in Vrindavan

Inside the Ranganathaji Temple

Students of the gurukulm or priest training school of Maluk Peeth at Vrindavan

Construction of a new bridge across the Yamuna at Vrindavan was halted and eventually abandoned after local protests that is interfered with the sanctity of the river.

Radha Raman Mandir temple entrance

Radha Raman Temple

Deities of the Radha Raman temple

Vishram Ghat in Mathura, the city\

s most famous. It is the beginning and end of the town\'s traditional circumabulation route.'

Rangeshwar Mahadeva temple is reached through this narrow street in Mathura

Siva Lingam at the Rangeshwar Mahadeva temple. Most temples here allow photography of the main Deity, unlike in South India where such photos are almost universally forbidden.

As in Rishikesh, Haridwar, Banaras and other spots along sacred rivers, the evening worship of the Yaumuna with huge (and hot!) arati lamps is quite popular.

Highpoint of the Yamuna River worship

This all-male troupe performs various scenes from the life of Radha and Krishna.

Their performance is accompanied by live music. Such performances are very popular in the area.

What would Vrindavan be without cows?

Prem Sarovar reservoir in Barsana, one of many such \"tanks\" or \"kunds\" as they are called which store water for the dry season.

Porters carry those not able to reach the hill-top Radha Rani temple in Barsana

Approaching the Radha Rani temple

Front of the ornate temple

Children in Barsana

Dan Bihari temple, Barsana

The temple\

s main Deities'

An elderly pilgrim manages her temple rounds with a bit of help.

Lassi (spiced, sweet yogurt) is a famous drink of the area. Here it is served in clay cups which can be instantly recycled by dashing on the ground.

The vast farmlands of the area.

Students of a Gurukulam in Barsana

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