72. Asthasaki Temple



In Vrindavan, on the holy Krishna Janmabhoomi, lies the temple that is a “must visit” destination for devotees completing the 84 kosh Vraj Parikrama Yatra. The temple is centuries old and is the first Indian temple that is dedicated to the divine couple and their Ashta Sakhi’s - the eight “friends” of Radha who were intimately involved in her love play with the Lord Krishna. Mention of the Ashta Sakhis are found in the ancient texts of Ramayan and the Srimad Bhagvat.

The temple is called – Shree Radha Ras Behari Ashta Sakhi Mandir and it is home to the divine Ras Leela of Lord Krishna and Radharani. It is located in close proximity to the Banke Behari mandir.

Legend has it that the Shree Radha Ras Behari Ashta Sakhi Mandir is one of the two places in Mathura, Vrindavan where the Lord Krishna actually indulges in the Ras Leela with his beloved Radha and her sakhis. On these nights, devotees have reported hearing the sound of the anklets, beating in tune to a divine melody.
Where the aesthetic meets the divine - A visual feast

The temple has been recently restored and modernised with exemplary attention to detail. The stone work and the carvings have been handled by skilled, traditional craftsmen some of whom are descended from the master carvers and sculptors who worked on the famed Taj Mahal!

Semi precious stones * (hyperlink to the list of semi precious stones and materials used.) imported from all corners of the world are used in inlay as well as in the murals depicting signal events in the colourful life of Lord Krishna. Alongside this traditional craftsmanship is modern fibre optic technology, used tastefully to heighten the impact and create an atmosphere of serenity and piety. The entire lavish decor and displays flow from the playful and feisty nature of Lord Krishna - the lover of beauty.
The Sanctum Sanctorum

The divine figurines of Shree Krishna, Radha and the Eight Sakhis are the epitome of allure and beauty. The deity is always dressed in resplendent attire that is changed every day of the year. The wardrobe of the diety and the Ashta Sakhi’s include antique dresses that date back to over a hundred years! The attire and makeup of Shree Krishna, Radha and the eight Sakhis are a daily ritual that takes over three hours a day – before the commencement of the poojas.

The Poojas at the temple are conducted in keeping with ancient tradition and represent a combination of piety and divine exaltation.

Shree Krishna is depicted here as the feisty and passionate dark lord. Each of the eight sakhi’s depict their innate character and their bhavas as per tradition.
The Ashta Sakhis
Of the eight sakhis, two – i.e Lalita and Vishaka are considered to be the leaders. All the sakhi’s have a single mission – to serve Radha and they are her foremost friends and companions.

The eight sakhi’s are:
Laliti Sakhi,Campakalata Sakhi,Visakha Sakhi,Citra Sakhi,Tungavidya Sakhi,Indulekha Sakhi,Ranga Devi Sakhi,Sudevi Sakhi.

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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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