Vrindavan, once a thickly forested area, has now become the most spiritual and religious domain in our country. Devotees from across the country come here to immerse their souls in the supernatural forces that surround it.
Vrindavan was originally famous for Goddess Radha and Lord Krishna. However, today, my blog is entirely
about a mysterious place known as “Nidhivan,” a location that beautifully combines mystery and spirituality. Foreign tourists also visit this dense forest, making it an enchanting tourist and pilgrim spot.
Nidhivan, Vrindavan
Nidhivan is located in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India, and is a manifestation of local legends. This inspired me to pack my bags and see it for myself. I traveled to Uttar Pradesh and took a bus to Mathura. Since the streets in Mathura are quite narrow, my only option was to hire an auto-rickshaw. Remember to bargain because they tend to charge higher fares to non-locals. I
negotiated the fare and embarked on my melodious journey, filled with hope, to feel the presence of the omnipotent God. When the driver asked for my destination, I replied, ‘Nidhivan,’ and my journey to seek solace and blessings from Lord Krishna began in an auto-rickshaw.
The word ‘Nidhivan’ is formed from two words: ‘Nidhi,’ meaning ‘Sleep,’ and ‘Van,’ which means ‘Forest.’ So, Nidhivan is the forest enveloped by the whispers of the night, where the love tales of Lord Krishna and Radha unfold. It’s a lush woodland filled with numerous intertwined, gnarled trees.
My rickshaw stopped at the gate of Nidhivan.
A large number of monkeys are also seen in the forest. Therefore, it is advisable to keep your personal items with great care, as they may pique the interest of these monkeys.
Entry Gate of Nidhivan
The two enormous yellow stone gates, adorned with carvings of peacocks, monkeys, and flowers, serve as the entrance and exit to the forest. Monkeys were perched on top and between the doors, startling every passerby. Our guide assured us of our safety and led us through the passage.
I hired a guide because deep in my heart, I had a sense that this forest was filled with mysterious phenomena and Guide might have known these elements very well.
Inside Nidhivan in Vrindavan
As we entered the gate, we found ourselves standing on a continuing plinth. From there, stairs led downward, taking us into the forest. Not much was visible from there, except for the densely packed, short trees. The guide began to speak:
‘This is the Tulsi/Basil forest. These trees are entirely hollow inside and have roots located just 5 mm above the ground. They receive no water, yet their leaves maintain a perpetual green hue; even the seemingly brown ones regain their green color at night.
During the night, the entire forest illuminates. At nightfall, these trees transform into Gopis, welcoming Lord Krishna for the Ras Leela dance, and at dawn, they revert to being Basil trees. Remarkably, these trees change their positions daily, defying attempts to tether them with threads. The forest floor reveals over 1600 holes, evidence of their disposition. Basil tree leaves are never broken, and the leaves
that fall are collected entirely in these holes. These Basil trees are always found in holes. I was shocked to learn that there isn’t a single insect in the forest, and you can’t take these Tulsi forest homes. If you try to do so, you will have to face grave consequences.
If this story intrigues you, hold onto your seat for the upcoming mysteries shared by my guide.
Saint Haridas temple
From wandering over to Nidhi forest we went to Saint Haridas temple. The interesting Legend behind this temple is that a divine
Saint Haridas; during the 15th century made Nidhivan his base. To impress Lord Krishna (also known as Banke Bihari) he used to play flute. One day the Lord blessed him in his dreams by appearing at the same place in Nidhivan in Vrindavan. So, this place is also known as Prakatya Sathal, which itself means the appearance of Lord Krishna
Lalita Kund
Inside the temple premises, we can see a kund, which, according to legend, was created by Lord Krishna to quench the thirst of Lalita, a close friend of Radha, as she became thirsty while performing Ras Leela.
Rang Mahal
From there, we walked to Rang Mahal, or the Shringaar room of Radha. It is a single room with a bed, a dressing table lined with silver and loaded with ornaments and beauty products. The ritual here is that every day after 7:00 pm, i.e., after Aarti, priests put toothbrushes, sarees, bangles, paan (Betel) leaves, holy water in a jug, sweets, and a prepared bed. The next morning, everything is found scattered as if someone has used it.
The guide told me that it is often believed that Lord Krishna comes every night, and the Gopis and Radha dress up in Rang Mahal and play Rasleela. I was shocked to learn that, even now, nobody dares to look into this after 7 p.m.; the gate is entirely closed to people. People also say that those who try to peek and hide tend to lose their eye and high sight or their mental capacity.
Shree Radha temple
A geometrically designed floor can be found preceding the Radha Rani Temple in Nidhivan, Vrindavan, where Lord Krishna is believed to have performed the Ras Leela dance with Radha. Inside the temple, there is a deity of Shree Radha playing a flute. This temple stands as a tribute to the time when Radha, along with her girlfriends Lalita and Vishakha, playfully took Krishna’s flute. Notably, the tree outside the temple displays intricately intertwined branches that bear a resemblance to the shape of Lord Krishna, prompting claims from locals that they could perceive this likeness.
Together, we reached the end of the gate of Nidhivan. People are so deeply immersed in these local legends that those living near Nidhivan tend to cover their windows after 7 p.m., and most of them have covered them with bricks.
How to Reach Vrindavan?
Vrindavan can be reached from Delhi by rail or road.
- Rail – The Nearest Railway station is at Mathura i.e. 14 kilometers from Vrindavan and from there hire a cab/ bus or auto to reach Vrindavan. Every 15 minutes an auto or bus runs to Vrindavan.
- Road – Vrindavan lies 193 kilometers from Delhi and can be reached in 2.5 hrs via Yamuna Expressway
Best time to visit?
The best time to go to Vrindavan is in winter i.e. from October to March or in monsoons. In Summer (April – June), the temperatures are soaring.
Some Special Tips
- Photography is strictly prohibited inside the temple.
- Take good care of your accessories and technological devices, as nature’s thieves are always around.
- Do not attempt to hide in Nidhivan after 7 p.m., as some who have tried lost their mental stability.
- Explore the roots of religion and respect the local legends. Even if you are a scientist or someone who views things from a scientific perspective, sometimes changing your perspective lenses can help you discover true beauty.
- Bargain with local vendor shops and rickshaw pullers, as they often charge much higher prices for non-locals.
The experiences I had there are not easy to explain. The legends and mysteries that science has been unable to unravel add to the beauty of it. The forest is beautifully laid out, but the legends make it even more special. The faith of the people and the solace you will find when you enter the forest are entirely inexplicable. I know that this destination doesn’t fit the standard tourist spot lists, but when I first visited the place, it exceeded my imagination.
The temples possess the rarest of beauty. While many choose hill stations or trekking for enjoyment, consider visiting Nidhivan in Mathura, as this destination has much more to offer. The beauty of the place will truly captivate your mind. Foreigners can appreciate the beauty and understand our religion with an open heart, while Indians can feel the historical and cultural significance, which comes with awe-inspiring stories to share.
