16. Shri Shri Mansi Ganga

                                         
                                                   

Mansi Ganga is a large masonry lake situated in the center of Govardhan town. It is believed that Lord Shri Krishna’s foster parents, Nand and Jasoda wanted to take a holy dip in River Ganga but the residents of Brij did not want them to go to such a faraway place. They were all wishing that somehow Mother Ganga should come to their place. Lord Shri Krishna got to know about their wish and he meditated and brought River Ganga to Govardhan in the tank. Since he brought it through his mind (meditation), it is called as Mansi Ganga Tank. Lord Krishna’s parents and all brijwasis took holy dip in this tank and also saw Mother Ganga riding on her crocodile. Another story goes thus that Lord Krishna after killing a demon called Vatsasura who was sent by Kamsa to kill Lord Krishna in the form of a calf, he was advised to take a holy dip in River Ganga to get purified. Lord Shri Krishna, who did not want to go all the way to the Ganges, brought it in this tank through his meditation. Thus, the lake got the name of Mansi Ganga and is also considered to be more powerful than the holy Ganges itself. Hence, taking a holy dip in the lake would relieve one of their sins and purify them. All those who go for the Govardhan Parikramastart it at the Mansi Ganga Tank and end it there as it was because of Lord Shri Krishna that the lake came into existence. This tank has also been mentioned in the “Mathura Mahatmiya” where it is said that taking a holy dip in this tank would give people Lord Shri Krishna’s blessings and divine love. It is also believed that Lord Shri Krishna and Radharani used to go for a boating in this lake. Mansi Ganga Tank in Mathura is a humongous lake and people are allowed to bathe here. It is quite surprising to find water in the tank even during the very hot summer season. Its enclosures and steps were built in 1637 by Raja Bhagwan Das of Amer and adorned by Raja Man Singh. The water here is very hard and it is better for one to take a holy dip (not bathing with soap or shampoo) either on the steps of the lake or in the separate enclosures available for men and women. This way one can also have a safe dip in the holy water as well as maintain the sanctity of the lake. The Brajmandal Parikrama which also includes Govardhan Parikrama would be incomplete unless you take a holy dip in the Mansi Ganga Tank in Mathura. This tank is illuminated with lights during the festivals like Janmashtami, Deepavali and Holi and offers a spectacular sight for viewing. There is also a legend that says that the lake is shrinking along with the Govardhan Hill.






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50 Temples Mathura And Virandavan

20. Foot Prints Of Lord Krishna

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It is believed that Charan Pahari has the impression of Krishna's feet. Charan Pahari is situated on the southwest side of Nandagram, near the street that goes to Kamyavana. This place is a 1 km from Pavana Sarovara in Nandagaon of Mathura District. Indeed, even today, one can see these impressions unmistakably. The stones on the close-by slope where his companions were playing and the calves were brushing likewise softened, leaving impressions of their feet and hooves.
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34. Kali Deh Temple

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Kaliya ghat or  Kalideh  is the place on the banks of river Yamuna where Lord Krishna during his childhood pastimes in Vrindavan subdued a poisonous serpent Kaliya Nag. Earlier Yamuna used to flow near to this place but during the course of time the river has drifted away. It’s said that once Krishna was playing with his Sakhas on the bank of river Yamuna. Suddenly their ball went inside the river. Fearing of Kaliya Nag, due to whom the water of Yamuna was also turned poisonous, no one was ready to go inside the river and bring the ball back. Knowing this Krishna decided to relieve the people of Vrindavan and river Yamuna of this poisonous serpent and thus jumped from the nearby Kadamba tree into the river.  Kaliya nag , who was sleeping, got angry at Krishna for disturbing his sleep. In a fit of anger he started releasing poison from his mouth. Krishna immediately jumped and mounted over one of the hoods of Kaliya who was having thousands of hoods. There was a l...
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23. Sankari khor

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This is the famous place where Kṛṣṇa’s dana-lila takes place: where he asks the gopis to pay taxes, steals their milk products, and breaking their curd-laden pots. Here Kṛṣṇa’s gopas would face off with the delicate gopīs in argument and flirtatious exchanges. In celebration of this occasion, the men from Nandagoan sat opposite to the men of Barṣāṇā, repeating the ancient songs of yore carrying forward the glorification of their personal ishtadevas (worshipable deities). The  buddhi-lila , namely the transcendental arguments between Kṛṣṇa and the gopis who are en route from Chiksoli village to Barṣāṇā. Nowadays the residents stand and shout at each other from atop the ravine. The lila concludes with the Matki lila, or the breaking of the earthen wares. According to  Vraja-bhakti-vilāsa , there are two mountains in Barṣāṇā – Brahmā and Viṣṇu. On the Viṣṇu mount is located Vilāsagarh and the rest of the mountain is Brahmācala. At the juncture of the two is Sankari K...
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