28. Sri Krishna Jenmaboomi
Objectives:
Objective 1: To showcase Mathura’s spiritual importance as Krishna’s birthplace, its rich ancient heritage, the enduring resilience of its temples, and its revival through devoted efforts of saints and patrons.
Mathura, one of India’s Sapta Puri (seven holiest cities), is globally revered as the Janmabhoomi — the divine birthplace of Bhagavan Sri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Situated on the sacred banks of Yamuna Devi, this city vibrates eternally with Krishna’s transcendental pastimes (lilas), as glorified in the Srimad Bhagavatam, Vishnu Purana, Harivamsa, Garga Samhita, Vayu Purana, and other sacred texts.
Historical Significance
Ancient Heritage
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) reports confirm Mathura’s continuous urban culture from the 6th century BCE.
Mathura School of Art:
Renowned for unique sculptures under the Kushan dynasty (1st–3rd century CE), which depicted Vasudeva-Krishna, Buddha, and Jain Tirthankaras.
Temple Resilience:
The original temple faced repeated destruction — by Mahmud of Ghazni (1017 CE), Sikander Lodi, and Aurangzeb, who built the Shahi Eidgah mosque partly over the ancient temple.
Modern Revival:
The present Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple Complex stands due to the devotion and perseverance of saints and devotees, with significant contributions from leaders like Madan Mohan Malviya, Hanuman Prasad Poddar, and industrialists like the Dalmiyas.
Objective 2: To explain Krishna’s divine birth in Mathura, its purpose of upholding dharma, the defeat of Kamsa as a triumph of righteousness, and Mathura’s glory as the supreme tirtha granting liberation and Krishna-prema.
Spiritual Importance
Janma-Lila:
Krishna’s divine appearance in Kamsa’s prison to Devaki and Vasudeva is described vividly in Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 10.
Purpose:
As Bhagavad Gita 4.7–8 declares — Sri Krishna appears to protect the righteous, destroy evil, and restore dharma.
Liberation:
The slaying of Kamsa symbolizes the victory of dharma over tyranny.
Scriptural Assurance:
Hari Bhakti Vilasa, Garga Samhita, and Vraj Mandal Parikrama describe Mathura as tirtha-raja — the king of holy places, bestowing liberation and Krishna-prema.
Objective 3: To present the key sacred sites of Mathura — from Krishna’s birthplace shrine and historic temples to ghats, kunds, and modern centers like ISKCON — highlighting their roles in preserving Krishna’s Janma-lila, teachings, and devotional traditions for pilgrims.
Major Temples & Sacred Sites
A. Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple Complex — Core shrine marks the Garbha Griha (prison cell) where Sri Krishna appeared. Halls for Hari Nama Sankirtan, dioramas, Janmashtami celebrations.
B. Dwarkadhish Temple — Built in 1814 by Seth Gokul Das Parikh. Krishna is worshipped as Dwarkadhish — King of Dwarka.
C. Vishram Ghat — Where Krishna rested after slaying Kamsa (Vishnu Purana 5.19). Pilgrims perform Yamuna Aarti and holy dips.
D. Gita Mandir — Constructed by the Birla family, walls inscribed with the entire Bhagavad Gita — symbolizes Sri Krishna as Jagad-Guru.
E. ISKCON Mathura — A living center for Bhagavatam classes, Sankirtana, and devotional service for lakhs of pilgrims.
F. Ädikeśava Temple & Potra Kund — Ädikeśava deity established by Vajranabha (Sri Krishna’s great-grandson). Potra Kund — sacred pond within Kamsa’s prison walls where Devaki bathed.
Objective 4: To highlight Mathura’s supreme sanctity, unique blessings, Mahaprabhu’s visit, and its sacred shape and Parikrama path as described in scriptures.
Scriptural Glories & Legends
Garga Samhita: Describes Mathura as a place where even Brahma, Shiva, Indra, Kuvera, Durvasa, Rāvaṇa, and Śantanu performed austerities, attaining blessings from Sri Krishna.
Vayu & Varaha Puranas: Declares Mathura superior even to Vaikuntha. Residing here for even a day bestows devotion and eternal liberation.
Bathing, chanting, walking, eating prasadam, or merely remembering Mathura equals thousands of yajnas. Every step equals an Ashvamedha sacrifice.
Mahaprabhu’s Visit: Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu danced and sang here, uplifting thousands. He saved Subuddhi Raya at this spot, proving the universal compassion of Krishna’s dham.
Sacred Shape:Described as half-moon shaped in Hari Vamsa Purana; Yamuna flows along its eastern edge. The Parikrama route is about 9 miles.
Objective 5: To show Mathura’s eternal holiness through divine acts of Brahma, Shiva, Durvasa, Shatrughna, Sri Krishna, Vedavyasa, Bali Maharaja, and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu across all Yugas.
PASTIMES
1. In the past the demigod Brahmā went to Śrī Mathurā, where for a hundred years he performed austerities, constantly chanting the holy names of Sri Krishna, and not eating anything. The result of these austerities was that he fathered a very intelligent son: Svāyambhuva Manu.(
Canto Five Chapter Twenty-five-Text15 )
2. Kings of kings, Lord Śiva, who is the husband of Satī and the best of the demigods, performed austerities in Mathurā for an autumn of the demigods. In this way He attained Sri Krishna’s mercy and became the gatekeeper of Mathurā.
.(Garga Samitha- Canto Five Chapter Twenty-five-Text16 )
3. In Satya-yuga, Durvāsā arrived here while the devotee Mahārāja Ambarīsa was in the course of breaking his vow of observing Ekādaśī and Dvādaśī, and it was here that Durväsä realised Ambarīsa Mahäräja’s glory. Even today, Cakra-tīrtha and Ambarīsa-līlā stand as witnesses to how Ambarīsa Mahārāja was protected by the Sudarśana cadra
4. In Tretā-yuga, on the order of Śrī Rāmacandra, Śrī Śatrughna killed the son of the demon Madhu, Lavaṇāsura, here.
5. In Dvāpara-yuga, Mathurä became famous as the place of Śrī Krishna appearance and the site of His many pastimes.
6. It is also well known that Śrī Krishna -dvaipāyana Vedavyāsa took birth here on an island in the Yamunā.
7. In Kali-yuga the Supreme Lord Śacīnandana Śrī Gaurahari, resplendent with the lustre and inner sentiments of Śrīmathi Rādhārani ,came to take daréana of Vraja-dhāma. First He reached Mathurā,where He took bath at Viśrāma-ghāt, and then visited the pastime places within the eighty-four dosas of Vraja-maṇďala.
8. At Krsna Ganga Tirtha – Vyasadeva took birth and at Bali-tila- Bali Maharaja performed his great Yajna to take over the universe.
Objective 6: To highlight Mathura’s vibrant festivals like Janmashtami, Holi, and Ekadashi vigils, and its sacred Parikrama routes and key sites that celebrate Krishna’s lilas and draw countless pilgrims.
Festivals
Krishna Janmashtami: Midnight Abhishekam, Bhajans, drama, Arati.
Holi: Mathura-Vrindavan — world-famous for Krishna’s playful lilas with Gopis.
Prabodhini Ekadashi: Staying awake in Krishna’s birth chamber during this night washes away lifetimes of sins (Padma Purana, Skanda Purana).
Pilgrimage
Mathura-Vrindavan Parikrama: Includes Gokul, Govardhan, Barsana, Nandgaon — celebrating Krishna’s childhood and youthful pastimes.
Key Spots: Vishram Ghat, Potra Kund, Kesi Ghat, Yamuna banks, ancient temples spread across Braj Mandal.
Objective 7: To affirm Mathura as Krishna’s eternal dham, where seeing, hearing, or remembering it bestows Krishna’s grace, revives Krishna-prema, and assures liberation, as glorified in sacred scriptures and timeless teachings.
Timeless Assurance
“Simply by seeing Mathura, one attains the same result as seeing Krishna. By hearing about Mathura, one gains the same merit as hearing the Bhagavan ’s glories. By touching Mathura, sins vanish instantly.” (Garga Samhita)
Mathura is not just a historical city — it is Krishna’s living dham (eternal realm) on earth. By visiting, remembering, chanting, or simply meditating upon it, one revives eternal Krishna-prema and attains the Lord’s supreme abode.
“May Krishna Janmasthan forever awaken our hearts in divine love.”
