Father Nanda Govinda: 2016

Thursday 1 December 2016

Nanda Bhavan

84,00,000 species in this material world and each pillar symbolises 100,000 species, thus representing all the life in the universe.

Chaurasi Khamba is actually the dwelling house of Nand Maharaj and Yashoda.

It is located on a top of hill known as Nand Tila.
It was built by the heavenly architect Vishvakarma and
has 84 pillars as evident from its name.

This opulent and magnificent Bhavan (mansion) adorned with 84 richly carved pillars, exhibits an exceptional piece of architecture as the reminiscent of the Krishna’s pastimes. These pillars divide the hall in the four corridors bordered by the five rows of 16 pillars each. The external pillars are made out of massive shafts ornamented with two horizontal bands of carving, while the pillars of inner corridors are much varied in their design. Some are quite plain in nature while the others are richly ornamented with exuberant and beautiful Islamic art. It is said that these pillars are so strong that they are still in their original condition as they were during the time of Krishna. The walls of this large mansion are decorated with fine paintings from Krishna’s pastimes. The inner part of the Bhavan seems like a durbar hall where the king meets his ministers and subjects. It is said that after the birth of Krishna, Nand Maharaj celebrated a great festival named Nand-Utsava at this palatial abode and donated cows to Brahmans and wealth to the needy.

This mansion is now regarded as temple due to its religious importance and its proximity to Krishna’s life. Inside the temple there is large black marble deity of lord Balram with Nand Maharaj on left and Yashoda ji on right hand. In the front there is a small deity of baby Krishna in a swing. In the courtyard of the temple there is a very old peepal tree which is said to be there since the time of Krishna. This tree is believed to produce five different colour flowers during the year and is believed to be the wish fulfilling tree. There are other smaller shrines in the temple courtyard, with the one dedicated to Lord Balram. Nearby there is a big palace also called as chhati palna temple dedicated to the Rohini, the mother of Lord Balram and the consort of Vasudev (father of Krishna).

Sites
http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/features/11-12/features2633.htm
http://www.vaisnava.cz/clanek.php3?index=20&no=187&hl=ANO

Dham
http://holydham.com/mahavan/

Tube
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Nanda+Bhavan

Map
http://wikimapia.org/25026905/NANDA-BHAVAN

Slides
http://www.slideshare.net/search/slideshow?searchfrom=header&q=nanda+bhavan+gokul

Nanda Maharaja would hold court here. He and his brothers

Upanada and
Abhinanda and
Sunanda and
Nandana would sit and hold assembly here.

When Nanda Maharaja used to sit on his throne he would have Krishna and Balaram sit on either side of him and then he would gravely decide upon matters concerning his kingdom.