Radha Rani Temple, situated in Barsana (in Mathura district), is one of the top pilgrimage destinations of India. The place has a cluster of temples located short distances from each other on the top of the hill.
As the birthplace of Lord Krishna, Mathura commands a strong presence amongst pilgrims.
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It is one of the Sapta Mahpuris and is an important pilgrimage sight drawing numerous tourists all year round.
Barsana, the birthplace of Radharani, is a magical place with a spiritual aura.
In this article, you will get to know the following points about Radha Rani Temple in Barsana,
Let’s see each of these points in detail.
How to reach Radha Rani Temple
| Nearest Railway station | Mathura Railway Station |
| Nearest Airport | Agra Airport |
| Nearest Bus Stop | Barsana Bus Stand |
By Train: The nearest railway station to the Radharani Temple is the Mathura Railway Station. It is around 51 kilometers away from Radha Rani Temple. You can hire a cab from the Mathura-Vrindavan to reach the temple.
By Flight: The nearest Airport is in Agra, which is 100 km from Barsana. Indira Gandhi International Airport is located around 150 km from the temple. From the airport, you can book a taxi to reach Barsana.
Many people prefer the Delhi Airport due to the low connectivity to the Agra Airport.
By Bus: Many buses are available from the major cities to reach Barsana or Mathura.
Timings and Entry Fees of Radha Rani Temple Barsana
The timings of Radha Rani Temple are,
| Morning | 5:00 AM – 2:00 PM |
| Evening | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM |
Entry to the Radha Rani Temple is free.
History of the Barsana Radha Rani Temple
According to legend, the Radha Rani Temple dates back 5000 years. The temple was in ruins before King Vajranabh rebuilt it. The original temple was built in 1675 AD by Raja Veer Singh. Later, Raja Todarmal, one of Akbar’s governors, helped Narayan Bhatt(a student of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu) build the current temple structure.
The temple is beautifully tied to many mythological tales.
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According to the first school of legend, Vrishbhanu, the father of Radha, and Nanda, the father of Krishna, were close friends. At that time, Gokula was under the control of Nanda, and Rawal was under the control of Vrishbhanu. However, they and their folks moved to Nandgaon and Barsana after they were tired of the evergrowing tortures and abuses of Mathura’s king, Kansa.
Vrishbhanu chose Bhanugarh Hill as their abode, which later became the home for Radharani, while Nanda selected Nandishvar Hill as his permanent residence. Nandishvar and Bhanugarh hills were the twin cities of Barsana and Nandgaon, respectively. And the temples built on the peaks of those hills were devoted to Radha and Krishna.
The Barsana Temples are known as the Radha Rani and Shreeji temples, while the Nandgaon temples are known as the Nand Bhawan.
Another school of legends says that when Radha and Krishna came down to the earth, Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva decided to come down to see the two divine souls. As a result, Lord Vishnu took the form of Govardhan Parvat or Hill, Lord Shiva manifested as Nandishwar hill, and Lord Brahma decided to reside at Barsana, where each head formed one hill.
Four temples dedicated to Lord Krishna and Radharani stood on the four heads (hills), and the main temple was known as Radha Rani Temple or Ladli Ji Ka Mandir (temple of the beloved).
Architecture of Radha Rani Shriji Temple
Shriji Temple exhibits the flamboyance of Mughal-era architecture with arches, pillars, and red sandstone construction. This architecture was quite popular at that time.
With its stunning arches, domes, and intricate hand carvings on its interior walls and ceilings, the temple exudes the elegance of a regal palace.
Red and white stones are among the stones used in the temple erected as a symbol of the love of Radha and Krishna.
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The main temple is accessible from the ground via about 200 stairs.
Before ascending to the main shrine, visit Vrishabhanu Maharaj’s palace, which houses idols of Vrishabhanu Maharaj, Kirtida, Sridama (Radha’s sibling), and Shri Radhika. This location is close to the Brahma temple as well.
The Ashta Sakhi temple, where devotees worship Radha and her principal Sakhis, is also present nearby.
The temple is situated at the top of a hill, and visitors can view the entire Barsana from here.
Things to do in Radha Rani Temple
- Admire the architectural beauty of the temple with stunning domes, arches, hand carvings, and murals.
- Seek blessings from the supreme soul “Lord Krishna” and his soulmate Radharani along with her main ‘Sakhis’ and ‘Gopis.’
- Enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes from the temple.
- Visit the prime shrines to get an insight into the childhood and the family of Radha and Krishna.
- Involve yourselves in the interesting discussion of mythology with the locals.
- Participate in the elegant activities that take place during Janmashtami, Radhastami, and Holi.
- Visit the temples of Nandishvar and Bhanugarh.
- Decorate the temples with lights, flowers, and balloons.
- Dress up the goddess with colorful gowns, and jewelry and offer Chhappan (56) Bhog to Radhe Krishna along with other devotees.
- Watch the divine aarti and sing the grace of god.
- Never forget to chant “Hare Krishna” and “Radhe Radhe”.
Best time to visit Radha Rani Shriji Temple
You can visit Shriji Temple at any time of the year. As the temple is situated atop the hill, the weather remains quite comforting and favorable during the summers as well. But I would say winter is the optimum time to visit the temples in Barsana. As I have already told you, the festival associated with the Radhe Krishna occurs with major pomp and show here, During Lathmar Holi, Janmashtami, Ras Purnima, and Radhasatami entire Barsana and Mathura open themselves like the petals of a lotus. So if you wish to attend the Radhashtami and Holi festivals, plan your vacation to Barsana around September and March.
Other attractions near Radha Rani Temple
An array of temples surrounds the main shrine of Radha rani temple.
Therefore nearby places of Radha Rani Temple include the shrines like ISKON Temple, Dan Bihari Temple, Radha Kushal Bihari Temple, Maan Mandir, Kirti Mandir, Shri Radha Damodar Mandir, Jugal Kishore Temple, and Ashta Sakhi Mandir.
You can visit these temples nearby to have a wonderful time amidst the spiritual aura of the entire Barsana and Mathura.
So these are some of the things you should know about Shri Radha Rani Shreeji Temple in Barsana.
It is fascinating how the supreme souls of the universe were a vital part of India. This not only makes us proud but fills every bit of our hearts with immense joy and charm.
Once you visit Barsana you will come to know, why so many people sing the glory of “the Queen of Goddess” along with Shri Krishna. The architecture, the unmatched beauty of the beloved duo-Radhe Krishna, and the surrounding sceneries sway away the hearts of the devotees.
So visit this holy place at least once in a lifetime, and let glorious Radha Rani fulfill all your good wills and wishes of life!
Cover pic credits: Azim Khan Ronnie, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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