I have been visiting Mathura since my childhood days mostly to attend family functions. In 2007 October we went as tourists and visited temples in Govardhan, Vrindavan and Mathura.
Sri Krishna Janam Bhumi Mandir in Mathura was our last stop in the single day road trip.Thousands of Indian and foreign devotees/tourists visit Janam Bhumi - as it is popularly called - everyday, so be prepared to stand in long queues to get inside the temple particularly at the time of evening aarti.
Since terrorism has risen its ugly head, Sri Krishna Janam Bhumi Mandir has become one of the most protected Hindu temples in India probably in the world. There is a whole army of policemen and para-military personnel stationed permanently inside and outside the temple.
We landed at the temple gates in the early evening. As always there was a long line of devotees waiting at the gates There are separate queues for female and male devotees, and both are subjected to a thorough patting down at the temple gates before they are let inside the temple compound.
Note: Devotees are not allowed to take handbags, cameras or mobile phones inside the temple premises, make sure to deposit them in the locker room available outside before you stand in the queue.
I had seen the mandir many times before and the long queue turned me off totally, so I decided to wait outside and hold on to all the handbags and mobile phones while rest of the family went inside for darshan. For the next hour I waited outside the temple gates and clicked some pictures of the colorful gate and the surroundings.
Some policemen standing outside were very amused to see me clicking away the cows, the bulls and the street kids, may be they didn't see any logic in someone capturing these mundane scenes which were part of their daily life.
The street kids would boldly walk up to the Indian and foreign tourists peddling various goods, mind you these kids were not beggars but were young street merchants who were selling a range of novelties like key chains,maps,books etc. to tourists. While some of them also offered to take tourists on the guided tour of the temple. These independent young fellows were mostly school dropouts, though some of them went to school during the day time and worked near the temple gate in the evening. Most of them earned enough money to take care of themselves and also give some money at home. One chap who was studying in Xth class was even saving money for his college education and wanted to become a professional tourist guide. I had a great time chatting with them and they were also too happy to share their stories and pose for the camera.
Also met a professional tour guide working with some tour company in Delhi who had brought a group of Russian tourists to the temple. He too like me was holding on to the handbags and cameras while the tourists went inside for darshan.
As the darkness fell and all the lights came on, the life around the temple gates took a different look. The ques started getting longer as more and more devotees were coming to attend the evening aarti. I had attended the evening aarti in Sri Krishna Janam Bhoomi Temple many years back and it really is one magical experience which needs to be experienced by all the Sri Krishna devotees at least once in their lifetime.
Jai Sri Krishna !
Note: I apologize for the bad picture quality since my tiny Canon p & s camera could not capture the scenes well in fading light, please bear with me :)
The street kids would boldly walk up to the Indian and foreign tourists peddling various goods, mind you these kids were not beggars but were young street merchants who were selling a range of novelties like key chains,maps,books etc. to tourists. While some of them also offered to take tourists on the guided tour of the temple. These independent young fellows were mostly school dropouts, though some of them went to school during the day time and worked near the temple gate in the evening. Most of them earned enough money to take care of themselves and also give some money at home. One chap who was studying in Xth class was even saving money for his college education and wanted to become a professional tourist guide. I had a great time chatting with them and they were also too happy to share their stories and pose for the camera.
Also met a professional tour guide working with some tour company in Delhi who had brought a group of Russian tourists to the temple. He too like me was holding on to the handbags and cameras while the tourists went inside for darshan.
As the darkness fell and all the lights came on, the life around the temple gates took a different look. The ques started getting longer as more and more devotees were coming to attend the evening aarti. I had attended the evening aarti in Sri Krishna Janam Bhoomi Temple many years back and it really is one magical experience which needs to be experienced by all the Sri Krishna devotees at least once in their lifetime.
Jai Sri Krishna !
Note: I apologize for the bad picture quality since my tiny Canon p & s camera could not capture the scenes well in fading light, please bear with me :)
Sri Krishna and Arjun on the chariot.
Long queues of devotees outside the Janam Bhoomi gates.
The mandir shikar and the terraces surrounding the temple.You can get a good view of Mathura city from these terraces.
Link to Part 2
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