VRINDAVAN TEMPLES GET SET FOR WINTER

DECEMBER 3, 2014

Vrindavan

 

As mercury dips, temples in Mathura-Vrindavan begin special preparations to insulate "little Krishna" idols from from searing cold, by wrapping them up in exquisitely crafted woollen quilts, lighting up "angeethies" to warm up the inner chambers of the presiding deities and introducing a wide range of food dishes with dry fruits and generous helping of saffron in boiled milk.

At the famous Thakur Radha Raman temple in Vrindavan the annual month long winter festival began with special darshan at the Bhandeer Van amidst chanting of bhajans and samaj gayan attended by a large number of devotees from all parts. Temple priest Acharya Sri Vats Goswami said "Bhandeer Van is one among many important Sri Krishna shrines in Braj. It is widely believed that Bhrama himself solemnised the divine marriage of Radha with Krishna here."

In Vrindavan, its been a week of festivities starting with the 508th birth anniversary (prakatyotsav) of Sri Bankey Bihari, held with great pomp and fare. "The main function was held at Nidhi Van on Friday after a procession that meandered through the narrow streets of the holy town," said Jagan Nath Poddar, a local resident. Dozens of bands and thousands of devotees from many parts of India joined the procession, dancing and singing.

This year, being celebrated as the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Chaitnya Mahaprabhu to Vrindavan, and discovery of various shrines in the Braj mandal by his eight disciples, a series of programmes are being organised. On Monday, foundation-stone of a grand gate "Chaitnya Dwar" on the Mathura road, near the ITI, was laid by saints and politicians including a national office bearer of the Samajwadi Party Kiranmay Nanda, MP, who promised to donate Rs 5 lakhs. Vrindavan municipal chairman Mukesh Gautam said people living in the holy town still revered Chaitnya Mahaprabhu and followed his teachings.

"Winter is special in Vrindavan, as temples prepare special prasads, full of dry fruits and ghee. Milk products of Vrindavan are famous as are the Pedas of Mathura," said Madhu Mangal Shukla, a local resident.