This blogpost highlights the importance of the place Gokul, an important town in the tales of the life of God Krishna.
Krishna dances over the subdued Kaliya Naag in river Yamuna, while seen on the banks are people of Gokula, Krishna’s father Nanda Baba and his brother Balarama, Image Source: Indischer Maler um 1640 – The Yorck Project (2002)
LOCATION
A town close to Mathura
Gokul is located 15km away from the popular city of Mathura. It belongs to the area which is situated on the banks of Yamuna and is known for fertile soil and is dominated by farming occupation. It experiences all the seasons and makes for a perfect location for tourists and devotees alike. With the beautiful river, Yamuna flowing by, Gokul makes for a beautiful location to soak in the culture and the mythology of Hindu culture.
MYTHOLOGY
Krishna’s beautiful childhood in Gokul
This town is fondly known as a place which inhabited the childhood of God Krishna. He was raised by Yashoda and kept away from his uncle, Kansa. His childhood and the stories about his childhood and courage are spread across the town of Gokul and other surrounding awareness. His acts of bravery, honesty, childhood fun and more inspirational acts are located in the towns of Gokul and Mathura. This makes it a popular destination for devotees and tourists looking to witness the geographical area where God Krishna spent his childhood. Apart from being fondly remembered as the place of Lord Krishna’s childhood, it is also known as the place where demons like Putana were killed by God Krishna. Gokul is also famously known as the place where as a child, God Krishna showed the entire universe to his mother Yashoda which is covered in the story of Damodar Leela.
SIGNIFICANCE
A Place with rich Hindu culture
Gokul forms the hub of the growth of Bhaki Culture according to historical records. Every record and collection of the mention of Gokul is synonymous as the point of culmination and growth of Bhakti in India. With the rich history of a town of God Krishna’s childhood and with vicinity to famous temples of Mathura, Gokul is known as one of the most important centres of the Hindu culture. This is also a place where the story of Radha and Krishna came into origin. Their beautiful and pure friendship started in Gokul and is known to all the generations. The devotees of Hinduism visit this place all year long but during the festival of Janamashtami and Annakut, Gokal witnesses devotees and tourists from all across the globe who wish to witness the beauty of the city close to his birthplace.
Gokul is filled with tales of Krishna’s childhood and happiness
When Vasudeva was on the way to bring the baby Krishna to Nand Baba and Yashoda so that he can be raised without the threat of Kansa, river Yamuna gave way to ease the path for Vasudeva and this in itself shows how the area surrounding Gokul was destined to be known as the hub of his childhood and played a pivotal role in the life of God Krishna and the story of the end of Kansa.
To know more about such beautiful and inspirational places, keep reading our blogposts on Sameedh.
