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Pilgrimages and Temples of Sri Krishna

Introduction:

Sri Krishna is the 8th incarnation among the ten major incarnations of Lord Vishnu (Dasavataras) who are widely remembered and quoted. Sri Krishna is the 20th incarnation among the series of incarnations of Lord Vishnu mentioned in the Srimad Bhagavatam. The major purpose of the incarnation of Sri Krishna was to vanquish Kamsa and Duryodhana and establish Dharma in the world. The life of Sri Krishna embodied multiple facets which spanned childhood pranks, Rasa of lover and political judgement oriented towards Dharma. A major aspect of the life of Sri Krishna is delivering the Bhagavad Gita to mankind through Arjuna. The Bhagavad Gita is a philosophy of life to incorporate Yoga in life through Karma, Bhakti, Jnana and Dhyana.

The pilgrimages of Sri Krishna are those places where his Leelas are present in a condensed form during the various phases of his life. Those places are Vraja Bhoomi, Avanti, Dwarka, Indraprashtha, Kurukshetra and Prabhasa Kshetra. Those places embody various moods of Sri Krishna and various situations of life. The flow of Rasa in Vraja Bhoomi remains the most favourite among the devotees, but his life of friendship with the Pandavas guiding them through various difficulties of life is as unique. His act of deliverance through various marriages while staying in Dwarka is as unique. His deliverance of Bhagavad Gita standing in Kurukshetra between the armies in the battlefield for the sake of Dharma is as unique. His peaceful disposition before the final departure at Prabhasa Kshetra is as unique.

Thus the pilgrimages of Sri Krishna are like the various moods of Sri Krishna. Like Sri Rama, Sri Krishna was also a lover of Nature and Srimad Bhagavatam has a rich description of Nature. The forests of Vraja in the various seasons are described, the still water of the lake is compared to the still mind of a sage, Trees were praised for their unselfishness and Govardhan mountain whose Nature supported lives was suggested as the first Deity to be worshipped. Many of those ancient places are still present today enveloped in modern surroundings. Those who wish to contemplate on that ancient sacredness need to read the details in Srimad Bhagavatam and other texts.

This article classifies the Pilgrimages of Sri Krishna into the following groups:

(1) Pilgrimages related to the Life of Sri Krishna

(2) Divya Desams of Sri Krishna

(3) Other famous Pilgrimages of Sri Krishna

(1) Pilgrimages related to the Life of Sri Krishna:

1. Mathura:

• Sri Krishna incarnating in Mathura
(Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 3)

► Mathura (Vraja Bhoomi) (Moksha Puri) (Divya Desam)
(Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh)

▬ River Yamuna flows → Vishram Ghat (Aarti)
- Vishram Ghat - Yamuna Temple
(Upper Ganga Plain)
(Srimad Bhagavatam)

- Sri Krishna incarnated in Mathura in the prison of Kamsa as the son of Vasudeva and Devaki.
- Sri Krishna was transferred to Gokula by Vasudeva to become the son of Nanda and Yashoda.
- Sri Krishna slayed Kamsa and his wresters in Mathura.
- Sri Krishna defeated Jarasandha seventeen times in Mathura.

2. Gokula:

• Sri Krishna appearing as the son of Yashoda in Gokula
(Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 5)
• Sri Krishna killing Putana and liberating her in Gokula
(Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 6)
• Sri Krishna killing demon Trinavarta in Gokula
(Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 7)
• Sri Krishna showing mother Yashoda the whole universe inside His mouth in Gokula
(Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 8)
• Sri Krishna allowing mother Yashoda to bind him in Gokula
(Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 9)
• Sri Krishna liberating Nalakuvara and Manigriva (as Arjuna Trees) from a curse in Gokula
(Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 10)
• Sri Krishna making a woman fruit-seller rich in Gokula
(Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 11)

Sri Krishna showing universe inside mouth

► Gokul (Vraja Bhoomi) (Divya Desam)
(Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh)

▬ River Yamuna flows → Gau Ghat, Brahmanda Ghat (Aarti)
- Gokul: Yashoda Ghat - Gau Ghat - Yamuna Temple
- Mahavan: Brahmanda Ghat
(Upper Ganga Plain)

(Srimad Bhagavatam)

- Sri Krishna grew up in Gokula as the son of Nanda and Yashoda and performed various childhood pranks (like stealing butter) in that place.
- Sri Krishna killed Putana and Trinavarta in Gokula.
- Sri Krishna performed the Leela of Damodara (Yashoda trying to bind) in Gokula and liberated Nalakuvara and Manigriva (as Arjuna Trees).
- Sri Krishna made a woman fruit-seller rich in Gokula.

3. Vrindavana:

► Vrindavan (Vraja Bhoomi) (Divya Desam) (Shakti Peetha)
(Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh)

▬ River Yamuna flows → Keshi Ghat (Aarti)
- Keshi Ghat - Kaliya Ghat - Varaha Ghat - Chir Ghat - Bihari Ghat - Surya Ghat - Gopal Ghat - Govind Ghat - Jugal Ghat - Imli Tala Ghat - Shringar Ghat

• 12 principal forests of Mathura Mandala from Padma Purana:
(1) Bhadravana - (2) Shrivana - (3) Lohavana - (4) Bhandiravana - (5) Mahavana - (6) Talavana - (7) Khadiravana - (8) Bakulavana - (9) Kumudavana - (10) Kamyavana - (11) Madhuvana - (12) Vrindavana
(Upper Ganga Plain)

(Srimad Bhagavatam)
(Peetha Nirnaya Tantra)

- Sri Krishna freed river Yamuna from the poisonous serpent Kaliya in Vrindavana.
- Sri Krishna stole the garments of the Gopis in Vrindavana.
- Sri Krishna performed the famous Rasa Leela with the Gopis in Vrindavana.
- Sri Krishna killed many demons like Arishta and Keshi in Vrindavana.

4. Govardhana:

• Sri Krishna assuming the form of the deity of the Govardhana Hill
(Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 24)
• Sri Krishna lifting the Govardhana Hill and sheltering the people
(Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 25)

► Govardhan (Vraja Bhoomi) (Divya Desam)
(Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh)

☗ Govardhana Hill
Choti Parikrama:
• Radha Kund & Shyam Kund
• Kusum Sarovar
• Uddhav Temple
• Mansi Ganga

Badi Parikrama:
• Giriraj Danghati Temple
• Sankarshan Kund
• Puchri ka Lauttha
• Giriraj Mukharvind Temple
(Upper Ganga Plain)

(Srimad Bhagavatam)

- Sri Krishna appeared as the Deity of Govardhana before the residents of Vraja when they worshipped the Hill.
- Sri Krishna later lifted the Govardhana Hill and gave shelter to the residents of Vraja from the fury of rain set by Indra deva.

5. Mathura:

• Sri Krishna showing the vision of Lord Vishnu to Akrura
(Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 39 to 40)
• Sri Krishna breaking the sacrificial bow of Kamsa in Mathura
(Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 42)
• Sri Krishna killing elephant Kuvalayapida in Mathura
(Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 43)
• Sri Krishna killing the wrestlers of Kamsa in Mathura
(Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 44)
• Sri Krishna killing Kamsa in Mathura
(Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 44 to 45)

Sri Krishna showing divine vision to Akrura

6. Avanti:

• Sri Krishna becoming the disciple of Sandipani Muni in Avanti
(Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 45)
• Sri Krishna returning the dead son of Sandipani Muni in Avanti
(Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 45)

► Ujjain (Avanti) (Moksha Puri) (Jyotirlinga) (Shakti Peetha) (Place of Kumbha Mela)
(Ujjain district, Madhya Pradesh)

▬ River Kshipra (Shipra) flows → Ram Ghat (Aarti)
(Malwa Plateau)
(Shiva Purana)
(Peetha Nirnaya Tantra)
(Srimad Bhagavatam)
(Skanda Purana - Avanti Kshetra Mahatmya)

- Sri Krishna and Sri Balarama studied in the gurukula of sage Sandipani in Avanti and mastered 64 arts in 64 days.
- Sri Krishna returned the dead son of sage Sandipani in Avanti.

7. Mathura:

8. Dwaraka:

• Sri Krishna and Balarama pretending to flee from Jarasandha and leaving for Dwaraka
(Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 52)
• Sri Krishna abducting Devi Rukmini, the daughter of Bhishmaka.
(Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 53)
• Sri Krishna marrying Devi Rukmini.
(Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 54)
• Sri Krishna retrieving the Syamantaka jewel from Jambavan.
(Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 56)
• Sri Krishna marrying Jambavati, the daughter of Jambavan.
(Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 56)
• Sri Krishna returning the Syamantaka jewel to Satrajit.
(Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 56)
• Sri Krishna marrying Satyabhama, the daughter of Satrajit.
(Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 56)
• Sri Krishna marrying Kalindi, the daughter of the Sun-god.
(Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 58)
• Sri Krishna marrying Satya, the daughter of king Nagnajit of Ayodhya after subduing seven ferocious bulls.
(Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 58)
• Sri Krishna marrying Lakshmana after abducting her from the Svayamvara ceremony.
(Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 58)
• Sri Krishna marrying Bhadra, the sister of Santardana.
(Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 58)
• Sri Krishna killing demon Mura and his seven sons.
(Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 59)
• Sri Krishna killing demon Narakasura and destroying his entire army.
(Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 59)
• Sri Krishna taking the Parijata tree to Dwaraka after defeating Indra.
(Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 59)
• Sri Krishna marrying the sixteen thousand and one hundred women who were held captive by Narakasura.
(Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 59)
• Sri Krishna destroying the pride of Banasura.
(Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 63)
• Sri Krishna delivering king Nrga from the form of a lizard.
(Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 64)
• Sri Krishna killing Paundraka (the false Vasudeva), Kasiraja and Sudakshina.
(Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 66)
• Sri Krishna killing Sishupala during the Rajasuya yagna of king Yudhishthira and liberating him.
(Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 74)
• Sri Krishna killing Salva who laid seige in Dwaraka.
(Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 77)
• Sri Krishna killing Dantavakra and Viduratha.
(Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 78)
• Sri Krishna visiting Vrindavana for two months.
(Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 78)
• Sri Krishna receiving Sudama, accepting his flattened rice and turning his humble house into palace.
(Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 80 to 81)
• Sri Krishna bringing back the dead sons of Devaki.
(Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 85)
• Sri Krishna instructing Uddhava (Uddhava Gita).
(Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 11 - 7 to 29)

► Dwarka (Moksha Puri) (Divya Desam) (Jyotirlinga) (All India Char Dham)
(Devbhoomi Dwarka district, Gujarat)

☁ Sea Shore (Dwaraka Kshetra)
▬ River Gomati flows
◉ Gomati - Sagara Sangam (Confluence)
☸ Daruka Vana (Puranic)
(Gujarat Coastal Plain)
(Srimad Bhagavatam)
(Skanda Purana - Dwaraka Mahatmya)
(Shiva Purana)

- Sri Krishna established his kingdom in Dwarka after leaving Mathura. Sri Krishna stayed in Dwarka for a long time (till his final departure) and performed various Leelas while staying in Dwarka. Sri Krishna abides in Dwarka as Sri Dwarkadheesh.
- Sri Krishna married Devi Rukmini, Jambavati, Satyabhama, Kalindi, Satya, Lakshmana, Bhadra and the sixteen thousand and one hundred women who were held captive by Narakasura.
- Sri Krishna killed many demons like Mura and Narakasura while staying in Dwarka.
- Sri Krishna received Sudama, accepting his flattened rice and turning his humble house into palace.
- Curse of sage Durvasa on Devi Rukmini and later boon of sage Durvasa to the devotees of Sri Krishna.
- Sri Krishna met the Gopis in Dwarka.

9. Indraprashtha:

• Sri Krishna went to Indraprashtha to attend the Rajasuya Yagna of king Yudhishthira:
(Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 71 to 74)

► New Delhi region

10. Kamyaka Vana:

• Sri Krishna went to Kamyaka Vana to meet the Pandavas in exile:
(Mahabharata - Vana Parva)

► Kurukshetra outskirts

11. Vrindavana:

• Sri Krishna visited Vrindavana for two months (while staying in Dwarka):
(Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 78 to 81)

12. Kurukshetra:

• Sri Krishna meeting the inhabitants of Vrindavana at Kurukshetra during a solar eclipse.
(Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 10 - 82)

Sri Krishna visiting Kurukshetra during solar eclipse

► Kurukshetra (Shakti Peetha)
(Kurukshetra district, Haryana)

◼ Brahma Sarovar
◼ Sannihit Sarovar
(Punjab Plain)

(Mahabharata)
(Peetha Nirnaya Tantra)

- Sri Krishna met the inhabitants of Vrindavana at Kurukshetra during a solar eclipse.
- Sri Krishna delivered the message of Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna in the battlefield of Kurukshetra.

13. Kurukshetra:

• Sri Krishna delivered the message of the Bhagavad Gita in the Kurukshetra battle field:
(Mahabharata - Bhishma Parva - 13 to 42)

14. Prabhasa Kshetra:

• Sri Krishna gave up his mortal body and returned to his divine abode from Prabhasa Kshetra:
(Srimad Bhagavatam - Skanda 11 - 30 to 31)

► Prabhasa Kshetra (Jyotirlinga) (Shakti Peetha)
(Gir Somnath district, Gujarat)

☁ Sea Shore (Prabhasa Kshetra)
◉ Triveni Sangam: Rivers Hiran - Kapila - Saraswati Sangam
(Gujarat Coastal Plain)
(Shiva Purana)
(Peetha Nirnaya Tantra)
(Srimad Bhagavatam)
(Skanda Purana - Prabhasa Khanda)

- Sri Krishna gave up his mortal body and returned to his divine abode from Prabhasa Kshetra (Bhalka Teertha) (Dehotsarga Teertha).

(2) Divya Desams of Sri Krishna:

• Thirukavalampadi (Nagapattinam district, Tamil Nadu) → Sri Krishna abides in Thirukavalampadi Divya Desam as Sri Gopalakrishnan (DD-27).

• Thiruparthanpalli (Nagapattinam district, Tamil Nadu) → Sri Krishna abides in Thiruparthanpalli Divya Desam as Sri Parthasarathy (DD-39).

• Thirupadagam (Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu) → Sri Krishna abides in Thirupadagam Divya Desam as Sri Pandavadootar (DD-48).

• Thiruvallikkeni (Chennai district, Tamil Nadu) → Sri Krishna abides in Thiruvallikkeni Divya Desam as Sri Parthasarathy (DD-60).

• Mathura - Vrindavan - Govardhan (Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh) → Sri Krishna abides in Thiruvadamathurai Desam as Sri Govardhanesan (DD-71).

• Gokul (Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh) → Sri Krishna abides in Thiruvaipadi Divya Desam as Sri Navamohana Krishnan (DD-72).

• Dwarka (Devbhoomi Dwarka district, Gujarat) → Sri Krishna abides in Thiru Dwarakai Divya Desam as Sri Kalyana Narayanan (DD-73).

• Thirupuliyur (Alappuzha district, Kerala) → Sri Krishna abides in Thirupuliyur Divya Desam as Sri Mayapiran (DD-83).

• Thiruvaranvilai (Aranmula) (Pathanamthitta district, Kerala) → Sri Krishna abides in Thiruvaranvilai Divya Desam (Aranmula) as Sri Parthasarathy (DD-84).

(3) Other famous Pilgrimages of Sri Krishna:

► Nathdwara (Pancha Dwarka)
(Rajsamand district, Rajasthan)

☗ Aravalli Hills
(Aravalli Range)

- Sri Krishna abides in Nathdwara as Shrinathji in the form of a 7-year old infant. The idol of Shrinathji emerged from the Govardhan Hill and is worshipped by the Vallabha sampradaya.

► Kankroli Dwarka (Pancha Dwarka)
(Rajsamand district, Rajasthan)

☗ Aravalli Hills
(Aravalli Range)

- Sri Krishna abides in Kankroli Dwarka as Sri Dwarkadheesh.

► Pandharpur
(Solapur district, Maharashtra)

▬ River Bhima (Chandrabhaga) flows
(Maharashtra Plateau)

(Panduranga Mahatmya)

- Sri Krishna abides in Pandharpur as Sri Panduranga or Vitthal.

► Puri (All India Char Dham) (Shakti Peetha)
(Puri district, Odisha)

☁ Sea Shore (Purushottama Kshetra)
☗ Nilachala Hill (Puranic)
◼ Indradyumna Sarovar
◼ Markandeya Sarovar
◼ Shweta Ganga Sarovar
◼ Narendra Sarovar
(Odisha Coastal Plain)
(Skanda Purana - Purushottama Kshetra Mahatmya)
(Brahma Purana)

- Sri Krishna abides in Purushottama Kshetra (Puri) as Lord Jagannatha (along with Lord Balarama and Devi Subhadra). The Jagannath Temple of Puri was originally built by king Indradyumna. The famous Ratha Yatra of Lord Jagannatha is held here every year in Puri. Sri Krishna previously abided in Purushottama Kshetra as Lord Nilamadhava.

• Nabadwip - Mayapur Dham (Nadia district, West Bengal) → Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was born in Nabadwip - Mayapur Dham. Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is considered as the embodiment of the divine love of Radha-Krishna in one form.

• Udupi (Udupi district, Karnataka) →

• Guruvayur (Thrissur district, Kerala) → Sri Krishna abides in Guruvayur as Sri Guruvayurappan.

• Ambalapuzha (Alappuzha district, Kerala) → Ambalapuzha has a famous temple of Sri Krishna which is associated with the legend of Vilvamangal Swamy. Vilvamangal Swamy saw the vision of Sri Krishna playing melodious flute in that place.

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• Scriptures of Sri Krishna

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• Devotees of Sri Krishna

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