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Bahulashtami: Appearance Day of Radha Kunda
A Holy place invigorates a pilgrim in his austere journey of spiritual awakening. Inhabited by exalted personalities, holy places are ideal spots for intense spiritual discourse and contemplation. Holy places commemorate pastimes of the Lord or His pure devotees. For practicing devotees, these places are means of associating with the Lord by hearing intricate aspects of His divine nature. Particularly on festival days, holy places assume a special atmosphere abuzz with devotees and festivities. It brings joy to the practitioner to celebrate the Lord’s transcendental pastimes in that unique environment. Bahulashtami is the eighth day of the Krishna paksha of Kartika Masa. It was on this day at midnight that…
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History and Significance of Mathura and Vrindavan
HISTORY AND SIGNIFICANCE OF MATHURA AND VRINDAVAN “We must understand the transcendental importance of Mathura-Vrndavana and Navadvipa-dhama. Anyone who executes devotional service in these places certainly goes back home, back to Godhead, after giving up his body.” -Srila Prabhupada Mathura is the transcendental abode of Lord Krishna and not an ordinary material city. It is eternally connected with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. At present the place known as Vrindavan in the district of Mathura, continues its position as a transcendental place and certainly anyone who goes there becomes transcendentally purified. The effulgent ground of Vrindavan is fashioned with many wonderful and colourful cintamani jewels, the trees and vines…
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Radha Govinda Jhulan Yatra
Every year, in the month of Shravana, which heralds the beginning of the rainy season, devotees offer Jhulan Seva to Sri Sri Radha Krishna at thousands of temples all over the world. Five thousand years ago Lord Krishna enacted His pastimes of childhood and early youth in Vrindavan. The mood of the Holy place was steeped in sublime devotion to the Lord. The inhabitants of Vraja knew nothing but Krishna. Their lives were centered on Him. The cowherd damsels, the Gopis, were especially attached to Him in divine love. And the crest jewel of the Gopis was Srimati Radhaarani. This is a festival related to the onset of the rainy…
