BARSANA
Location: North west of Mathura (Uttar Pradesh)
Main Attraction: Lathmaar Holi
Language / Dialect: Hindi, Brij Bhasha
Best Season: July to November
Once the home of Radha, the consort of Lord Krishna, Barsana is 50 km to the northwest of Mathura and 19 km northwest of Govardhan. It is situated at the foot of a hill that is named after Lord Brahma.
PRIME ATTRACTIONS
Religious Places Ladliji Temple: Also known as the Radha Rani Temple, it is one of the many temples dedicated to the divine couple that ornaments the four elevations of the hill at Barsana. The most beautiful temple at Barsana, it was built by Raja Bir Singh ji Deo of Orchha in 1675. The new marble temple adjoining it, was added later on.
Shankari-Khor: The area between the hill housing the Radha-Rani temple and the adjoining temple is known as the Sankari-Khor. This is the venue of the annual fair held in the month of Bhadon (July-August). The other three shrines are the Man Mandir, Dargah and Mor-Kutir temples.
Others
Radha-Ashtami: The birth anniversary of Radha-Rani is celebrated on the nineth day of the bright half of Bhadrapad (July-August) at the Mor-Kutir Temple, which was built about 300 years ago. Women celebrate the occasion by giving laddus to the peacocks- to symbolise the serving of sweets by Radha to Lord Krishna.
Lathmaar Holi: Barsana is also famous for its ‘lathmar- holi’ celebrations. On this day, there is an enmasse procession wherein married women practically beat their husbands with wooden sticks. This kind of celebration on the day of the festival of colours is unique to this town. Most of the monuments and edifices here have deteriorated with the advent of time. Still a few tanks do survive and can be seen, including the Prem Sarovar, Roop Sagar, Jal Mahal and the Bhanokhar Tank.
HOW TO GET THERE
Air: Nearest airport from Mathura is Kheria (Agra), 62 kms.
Rail: Mathura is on the main lines of the central and western railways and is connected with all the major cities.
Road: Mathura is well connected by motorable roads to important tourist centres and is 50-km away from Barsana.
Local transport: Taxis, Tongas and Cycle rickshaws.
PLACES TO STAY
Tourist Bungalow, Barsana.
NEARBY CITIES
Govardhan:19-km
Matura:50-km |
