Brahmand Ghat: Purani Gokul - Mahavan, Mathura

Just a few mtrs. ahead of Raman Reti and Nand Bhavan (next diary entry), along the banks of the river Yamuna is another sacred spot - the Brahmand Ghat. This is the spot where an infant Lord Krishna had shown the entire universe or Brahmand in his mouth to His mother Yashoda. That is how the place came to be known as the Brahmand Ghat.

Significance of the Brahmand Ghat, Mathura
The Board explains why 'Brahmand Ghat' is so called

It so happened that one day while playing with His friends, Lord Krishna swallowed some particles of mud. When mother Yashoda came to know about this act, she rushed to this very spot and worriedly asked Him to open His mouth so that she could remove all the mud from the mouth of her darling child. Krishna opened His mouth wide. She stared in utter disbelief and amazement at what she saw - she could see everything, the sun, the moon, the planets, the movement of the celestial orbs, the entire galaxy - everything, the entire world was contained within the small confines of his Krishna's mouth. This sight that Yashoda saw is what has kept this place alive even today and helped it gain significance in the list of places-to-visit in Mathura.


Yamuna River, Brahmand Ghat

In resonance with this story, the mud of this place - Braj ki Raj, is considered very auspicious and pilgrims take it along with them back home for good luck and well being. Packets of small mud balls are also sold, a smear of which it is believed can cure even the most fatal diseases.

A board displays the importance of the mud of Braj, Mathura
A board displays the importance of the 'Braj Ki Raj'

Braj ki Raj, Brahmand Ghat, Uttar Pradesh
Braj Ki Raj - the divine mud on sale

There is a small temple built in commemoration to this event in history on the banks of the Brahmand Ghat with the Yamuna River flowing below.

Temple on the banks of River Yamuna, Brahmand Ghat, Uttar Pradesh

Temple housing various deities

Pilgrims also offer prayers, women especially praying for their long lives of their husbands, to a wish fulfilling sacred peepal tree in the surroundings.


The sacred peepal tree

A cow shed is maintained in the premises too.

The Gaushala at the Brahmand Ghat, Mathura
Cow-Shed in the premises

Post a Comment

52 Comments

  1. Very happy to read and know about Brahmand Ghat. Thank you so much :)
    Waiting for the next - Nand Bhavan.

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  2. A great, colorful post for the day and wonderful captures, Arti! Thanks as always for sharing! Hope you have a great week!

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  3. Obviously a very sacred site, I love this creation story.

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  4. So mysterious, this story of lord Krishna. And i love that tree ... Happy monday daer Arti!

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  5. So good to read about the place I visited every year during my childhood. It brought back lot of fond memories. Thanks for posting lovely pictures.

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  6. The temple area is very beautiful with all of its color.

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  7. I always enjoy your stories and like to see the colorful part of the world you call home.

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  8. Superb Arti.. As I said earlier, I did not know there are so manuy places to visit in Mathura.. Eagerly looking forward to your next post.

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  9. Hi Arti,

    Always good to read about your Country and interesting how the mud from this place is considered good luck and well being.
    Also liked seeing the sacred peepal tree.

    Happy week
    Carolyn

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  10. Mahavan is a very nice idyllic spot so close to Baldeo where there is another temple dedicated to Krishna's elder brother Baldeo. Hope to see your next post of that place! Thanks for refreshing the memories, Arti:)

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  11. Thanks for posting this and the explanation/translation of 'Brahmand Ghat' on the board.

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  12. Nice place. I missed out on this when i went to mathura.

    www.rajniranjandas.blogspot.com

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  13. Arti,
    What a significant story about Lord Krishna!! The myth of the universe in his mouth is symbolic and inspirational. The divine world and universe must be in the different dimension, transcending time. Immense and beautiful story!
    Thanks a lot forsharing.
    Best wishes, keiko

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  14. What a great story about Krishna's mouth!

    Lovely shots - looks like a great place to visit.

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  15. Nice pictures with interesting write-up...

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  16. The sacred peepal tree is very colorful and I imagine that people living there are happy.

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  17. I can only imagine how surprise his mother was when she saw what was in his mouth. I could use some of that mud!

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  18. Sense of nostalgia after reading this post Arti. I didn't know the mud in Mathura is called "Braj ki Raj". Nice info. Beautiful post, as always. :)

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  19. Great to read your post.Thanks a lot.

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  20. Beautiful photographs, interesting entry. I am greeting

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  21. Beautiful photographs, interesting entry. I am greeting

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  22. Hi Arti Dear,

    Wow! this time visit to Mathura :)
    I love to read your posts. Feel like me too visited those places.
    Thank you so much! :) :)

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  23. A beautiful place and interesting to read the mythological history .

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  24. I love the story of the moon, the sun, the universe in Lord Krishna's mouth. Have you kept some healing mud for yourself? I once visited a small church in New Mexico where the dirt was said to be healing - the hole continually filled with new dirt no matter how much was scooped out. I brought some back with me and keep it still. Your journeys are delightful Arti. happy day to you.

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  25. As a kid I love that episode of Lord Krshna. It must be a divine feeling to go to that place and bringing back the mud with you. I will read and prepare an itinerary when I will plan a trip to Mathura and nearby...:)

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  26. I feel that the story inside the mouth of Lord Krishna is holy ,essence of human being.
    the sacred peepal tree is colorful.
    Thank you for the interesting guide.

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  27. Hello, Arti! The story of entire galaxy in the mouth of Lord Krishna is mystical on its own and interesting in its connection to the origin of the universe which is made up of particles. I enjoyed your stories as well as the colorful photos as always.

    Yoko

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  28. Your photos never cease to amaze me Arti.

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  29. How interesting the story of young Krishna; holding whole universe in his mouth! The dress of the lady at the temple looks beautiful.
    I enjoyed reading this pilgrimage as always.

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  30. The Yamuna river by the ghat is a welcome sight.

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  31. sorry for visiting late... had my exams in between... the place seems to be so so colorful and traditional... and river yamuna looks amazingly big... history and mythology are always amazing and interesting to read... yeat another interesting post in ur blog...

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  32. This is a unique and interesting story about seeing the universe in Krishna's mouth. I can see why pilgrims flock to that place and buy packets of mud to take back home. I wonder if the mud does cure all ailments. Are cows kept on the premises because they are sacred?

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  33. My sis instructed me about your web site and the way great it is. She's right, I am actually impressed with the writing and slick design. It appears to me you're simply scratching the floor in terms of what you may accomplish, however you're off to an ideal begin!

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  34. A very Nice post Arti ,
    Got to know a lot more about Mathura , thanks a lot for the info :).

    Great work keep it up

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  35. The minute i see you might have a new post i normally rush over here, even though i haven't posted a comment to say thanks til now, i adore your posts. Thanks!

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  36. what a very interesting story, without it, I probably would not appreciate much the pictures, but after reading the story behind, these pictures have so much meaning, and you captured them wonderfully to convey the messages so well.

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  37. @gigihawaii Lord Krishna loved cows and shared a very special loving bond with them. Hence, one sees a lot of temples in Mathura/Vrindavan trying to maintain a cow shed. Not only this, cows also roam freely on the streets along with human populace in this historic town -- something which is most often restricted to some few smaller and historic towns of India.

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  38. pics says it all Arti ..

    beautiful post!

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  39. wonderfull writeup ... every childhood story of lord krishna is so mystical ... that god manifested as a little child and displayed so many wonderfull leelas ... meditating on these leelas alone is sufficient for this age of kali. And u have the good fortune to even visit these holy places. Thank you for sharing your experiences

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  40. Wonderful shots of the temple!

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  41. Love the colors. I came across color naming one time and many people love India pink and India orange. I love those colors too and more. You really have unique and very colorful cultures hence the manifestation of your own colors too.

    Very informative entry again. Have a nice day! :)

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  42. a very interesting place so wonderfully captured...I love mud too...and yes even the smell of it...beautiful story of the entire galaxy being seen inside the mouth of Lord Krishna...I would love to someday visit the place....may you have a blessed day Arti :-)

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  43. Love the colorful peepel tree! How beautiful!

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  44. Lovely post. Nice pictures and narration.

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  45. aayushig99@yahoo.comJuly 29, 2012 at 8:28 PM

    how place is this i am going to visit this place ? is there any picnic spot place ?

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  46. @ayushig99

    I did not see any picnic spot there but you can spend some time by the Yamuna River Ghat and take a dip in the River if you like. I found the entire area quite peaceful actually.

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  47. The mud of Brahmanda ghat cures even the terrible and incurable diseases, you said. It is true.

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