Embark on a visual odyssey of the colours of Krishna devotion, the dulcet hymns of Braj Bhasa guiding one through the air of peace and profundity in the by-lanes of Mathura, one of the oldest living cities of the world, lauding quotidian spirituality and a sincere pride in its cultural legacy.
For curious seekers and ardent followers alike, the quirks and charms of the spiritual landscape of Mathura abound in its history steeped in artistic excellence and mysticism. This volume records the dynamic interplay of a city which has carved out a benign way of life in the interplay of devotion and artistry.
Pradip Bhatnagar is an IAS officer of the 1982 batch of the Uttar Pradesh cadre who retired as Additional Chief Secretary and Agricultural Production Commissioner of UP in 2017. He has also worked with the UN in Bangkok and the G-15, Geneva. He served as Divisional Commissioner of Agra Division from 2013-2016, and was the Chairman of the Vrindavan-Mathura Development Authority.
Dr Sangeeta Bhatnagar is an author and food consultant. Her book Dastarkhwan e Awadh is widely aclaimed in the culinary world. She has conducted workshops for chefs at the Oberoi Centre for Learning and Development, Delhi, and was on the editorial team of Food, and was featured in Saveur. She has hosted shows on television, and writes on food, arts and crafts.
B.K. Goswami is a senior IAS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre of the 1960 batch. He served as Director General of Tourism, and later Secretary of Tourism with the Government of India. He has patronised many initiatives in education, yoga, nursing, wildlife, handicrafts and tourism. In 2006, he was given the Lifetime Achievement award by the Minister of Tourism.
Braj Mandal, traditionally also known as Mathura Mandal, is a unique centre of Indian culture and civilization. This area has enriched Indian polity, economy, literature, arts etc. from the time, as far back as history can take us. In this land Vedic, Buddhist, Jain and other cultural traditions bloomed with full splendour. However, Braj attained its full glory when Sri Krishna incarnated here. So declare gopis, in the Bhagavata Purana (10.31.1). Along with the manifestation of Krishna Leelas, manifested the glory and grandeur of Braj. Due to Krishna's divine touch, the land, the river, the trees, the mountains, the birds and animals of Braj, they all became 'divinised.
Inspired and energised by Sri Krishna and his divine consort Radharani, the cultural geography of Braj became a centre of attraction for large number of humans. Ironically, by the end of 15th century, Vrindavan, the heart of Braj, was missing from geographic and cultural memory. In the beginning of 16th century many saints and eminent persons engaged themselves in rediscovering the holy places of Braj, especially Vrindavan. This unique seva was led by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, through his followers the famous six Goswamis. Sri Vallabhacharya, Vitthalnath, Swami Haridas, Harivamsha and many others contributed their bit in this effort. The construction of new temples, ghats, ponds, tanks, kunj, greens and conservation of the existing built heritage by various dedicated individuals and institutions brought Braj to its full majesty.
The celestial beauty of Braj Mandal, spread in a circle of 84 kos (over 252 km) is enjoyed through the 84 kos Braj Yatra, very popular among pilgrims and visitors. This sacred geography was already well detailed and identified in Braja Bhakti Vilasa of Narayana Bhatt of Barsana, in the 16th century. In the later part of 19th century, F. S. Growse introduced Braj to English readers through his valuable Mathura: A District Memoir. In the 20th century, Alan Entwistle described Braj in his well-researched Braja: Centre of Krishna Pilgrimage, which compliments and completes the work of Narayan Bhatt.
Braj, with Mathura-Vrindavan in its centre, draws crores of pilgrims and visitors annually. While the above mentioned books are valuable for those who want to study Braj's history and culture in great detail, there is a need for an easy introduction to the area, its history, heritage, art, culture and spirit that can connect today's visitors to Braj. Scholarly written, illustrated with lively photographs of monuments and events, beautifully produced, the publication of Mathura: A Tapestry of Art and Devotion, meets this requirement. This book will open the doors to Braj for those who have not been here. It will be a companion to those who are visiting Braj. For their labour of love, I congratulate the authors Sri B.K. Goswami, Dr Sangeeta Bhatnagar and Sri Pradip Bhatnagar.
In the 10th chapter of Srimad Bhagavad Gita Sri Krishna reveals,
'Aham atma gudakesha
sarva-bhutashaya-sthitah
aham adish cha madhyam cha
bhutanam anta eva cha'
'O Arjun, I am seated
in the heart of all living entities.
I am the beginning, the middle and the end of all beings.
Lord Krishna was not exaggerating because even in human incarnation his life was a celebration. His divinity accommodated the ordinariness of the ordinary and glorified the glorious. He was a man in love and a God in his compassion. There was excitement of triumphs and setbacks of some tragedies in the endless variety of his life. Krishna's life and legend is an open book, yet there is an enigmatic quality about it; as if it is inviting you to explore and discover more.
This enigma led us to Mathura-Vrindavan, the birthplace, the playground and the karm-bhumi of the God. There we sought and found the answers to Krishna's claim, 'I am seated in the heart of all living entities.
It has been sheer pleasure writing this illustrated volume along with my co-authors Sangeeta and Pradip Bhatnagar. They have both spent considerable amount of time visiting places connected with the Krishna lore, making frequent trips to temples, ashrams, ghats and museums in Mathura and Vrindavan. Their attention to detail was extremely productive when they researched documents. This book would not have been possible without their hard work and support.
A tribute to the many splendours of Lord Krishna will be incomplete if it does not reach people in the language he enchanted them with. We hope to bring out a Hindi version of the book in the near future.
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