Visiting Nandagram
A Comprehensive Guide to Śrī Vṛndāvana Dhāma
Krsna lived here from the age of seven to ten. Nanda Maharaja built his house on top of the large hill here to protect Krsna from the demons sent by King Kamsa. Nanda Maharaja and the other cowherd men decided to move from Gokula to here because of the disturbances caused by demons trying to kill Krsna.
The hill that the main temple is on is called Nandisvara Hill. Lord Siva prayed to Krishna to be allowed to witness his transcendental pastimes. After Lord Siva performed penances for many centuries Lord Krsna asked him what he wanted. He told Krsna that he wanted to be a mountain in Vrindavana so that the gopis would step on him and they would leave the dust of their feet on him. Krsna granted him this boon and Lord Siva became this hill. Nandagram is built upon him.
Parjanya Maharaja, the grandfather of Krsna, was instructed by Narada Muni to come to Nandisvara Hill. He performed austerities here for many years. After this, Parjanya stayed here with his family. Nanda Maharaja and his community lived in Nandagram before Krsna appeared. There was a meeting of the residents led by Upananda, the elder brother of Nanda Maharaja, and they decided to go to Gokula. After Krsna became seven years old the family moved back to here.
When Krsna and Balarama came to Nandagram this was the first time they took out the cows for grazing. Before coming to Nandagram they only took out the calves for grazing. Most of the gopis got married in Nandagram, Varsana or Javat. At one time there were many kunds in the area of Nandagram, but many of the kunds have disappeared.
On Rangili Holi, on the 10th day of the bright half of Phalguna, the day after Holi is celebrated in Varsana, Holi is celebrated here. It is an exciting, popular festival.
Directions: Nandagram is 48km (29 miles) northwest of Vrindavana. The name of the town at Nandagram is Nandgaon. The easiest way to get here is to take a taxi, which takes about an hour. To get here by public transportation from Vrindavana you first take a public bus to the town of Kosi (40 km) and from there you take a tempo to Nandgaon, which is 8km away. The Braja Darsana bus comes here after stopping in Varsana. This bus departs at 8 am from the Vrindavana bus stand and also stops near the front of the ISKCON temple.
Practicalities in Visiting Nandagram
The parikrama (circumambulation path) is 6km. The town surrounding the hill is called Nandgaon. The panda guides, when you get to the temple on top of the hill, are very persistent. If you talk to any of them or take anything from them, you should expect to give a donation.
There is a dharamshala (a basic hotel for pilgrims) across from Lalita Kunda, on the road that goes to Varsana.
Getting Around
The Nandagram temple is on top of the main hill (which is called Nandisvara hill). The village that is on and surrounding the hill, is called Nandgaon. Pavana Sarovara is north of the hill. Further north is Moti Kunda.
Sub-pages
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