Thiru Vadamadurai Temple, Mathura

Introduction

Mathura is very famous as the place of birth of Krishna, who is perhaps the most popular Avatar of Vishnu. The location where he was born is known as the Krishna Janmasthan, and there is a grand temple erected for him there. The Krishna Janmasthan Mandir of Mathura is in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The place enjoyed immense religious significance since the 6th century BCE. It is believed that the temples that stood here were destroyed many times, due to invasions and during the Mughal rule. And the present temple complex was built at the birthplace of Krishna in the 20th century.

Though the place is in the northern part of the country, the Azhwar saints of the south have sung the Lord's praise in their Tamil Divyaprabhandham hymns. But the Lord and the temple they have sung about are not existent now. Still, Mathura called Vada Madurai, that is, the Madurai of North in Tamil, remains a Divya Desam, a very special abode of Vishnu glorified by the Azhwars. The presiding deity of Vadamadurai Divya Desam is known by the names Govardhanesan and Balakrishnan.

Great Vaishnava saints Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Vallabhacharya have come and prayed at the Krishna Janmasthan temple.

Temple Legends

As per sacred legends like Bhagavatha Purana, Krishna was born to Devaki and Vasudeva in a prison cell. There was a prophecy to the effect that the demon king Kansa, Devaki's brother, and Krishna's maternal uncle would be killed by Devaki's child, and this resulted in Kansa imprisoning Krishna's parents. Still, Krishna managed to outwit Kansa's many plans to kill him, and ultimately, overpower and destroy the demon. And then, Krishna went on to shine as an exemplary personality, combining in himself the roles of a warrior, ruler, teacher, philosopher, statesman, and many more.

The shrine at his birthplace was traditionally believed to have been built originally by Vajranabha, Krishna's great-grandson. The many archeological excavations conducted here also reveal that Buddhist and Jain places of worship, too, existed here.

The History and Architecture of Thiru Vadamadurai Temple, Mathura

Krishna has been worshipped here as Govardhanesan and Balakrishnan by the Azhwars. But the temple, a Divya Desam not existing now, is believed to have been located at about 3 km from the present Krishna Janmasthan temple. Satyabhama Nachiyar is the Goddess there, while river Yamuna is regarded as one of the sacred water bodies. However, there are temples for Krishna as Dwaraknathji and Mathuranathji in that place, now. Besides, the Vadamadurai Divya Desam generally includes the Krishna temples at Mathura, Brindavan, and Govardhan. Brindavan is one of the places where Krishna spent his childhood, while Govardhan is the mountain, which he is said to have held aloft.

Shahi Eidgah, a mosque was built subsequently on what is said to have been the assembly hall of an earlier temple that existed on the place of birth of Krishna. However, the prison cell where Krishna was believed to have been born, which was said to be the sanctum sanctorum of that temple, was left intact, where the grand Krishna Janmasthan Mandir stands, at present. It consists of a prison cell in the basement, a marble pavilion, and many shrines. Krishna and Radha, in their life-like images, can be worshipped in the main shrine. At the same time, Krishna's brother Balarama, sister Subhadra, Lord Jagannatha, Rama, Lakshmana, Sita, and Hanuman, Goddess Durga, and Shiva Linga are also housed in separate shrines. The image of saint Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and the Garuda Sthambha pillar are in front of the Jagannatha shrine. The eight-armed Yogamaya shrine is also there next to the prison cell.

The remarkable events from the life of Krishna have been displayed as beautiful paintings in the pillars, walls, and the ceilings of the main hall, while the sacred text Bhagavad Gita, given by Krishna to the world, has also been engraved in copper plates, in the walls.

Temple Festivals

Janmashtami, the day Lord Krishna was born, is the greatest festival here, celebrated on the eighth day of the dark Moon fortnight of Krishna Paksha in the month of Shravana (July-August). Diwali and Holi also remain the prominent festivals, here.

Benefits of worshipping Lord Krishna at Thiru Vadamadurai or Mathura

Mathura is regarded as a Mukthi Sthalam, that can give salvation to people, and it is believed that Krishna can relieve people from the eternal cycle of birth and death. The temple at Vadamadurai or Mathura is also considered a very sacred place, being the place of birth of Lord Krishna. Hence, this remains one of the biggest pilgrim centers of the country, visited by thousands of devout. People pray to this Lord for their wellbeing. They also worship the Lord for improvement in health and finances, progeny blessing, and joyful living.