Gokul is the gentle village on the eastern bank of the Yamuna where infant Krishna was secretly brought by Vasudev on the stormy night of His birth. Here, in the loving lap of Yashoda Maiya and under the watchful eyes of Nanda Baba, the Lord performed His sweetest bal-leelas — makhan chori, damodar leela, Putana-vadh and the lifting of the Shakatasura cart. Gokul is the place where the Supreme Brahman willingly became a child so His devotees could love Him as their own.
Raman Reti
The soft golden sand where Krishna and Balram played with their gopa-friends. Devotees roll in this rajat-coloured sand as an act of bhakti, believing it carries the touch of the Lord's tiny feet.
Nand Bhavan
The traditional home of Nanda Baba and Yashoda Maiya, where the family deities of Krishna are still worshipped. The murtis of bal-Krishna, Balram, Nanda, Yashoda and Rohini together create one of the most heart-melting darshans in all of Braj.
Yashoda Ghat & Brahmand Ghat
Brahmand Ghat is the legendary spot where Yashoda saw the entire universe inside baby Krishna's mouth. Standing here, devotees feel a direct sense of the Lord's infinite vatsalya.
Chaurasi Khamba (Mahavan)
Just beside Gokul lies Mahavan with the 84 ancient pillars of Nanda's original palace. The thakurani-ghat, Damodar pillar (where Krishna was tied) and the Putana-vadh sthal are all here.
How to Reach & When to Visit
Gokul is 15 km south-east of Mathura, easily reached by auto, taxi or the Asthawaani-arranged Braj-yatra bus. Janmashtami, Nand Mahotsav (the day after Janmashtami) and Annakut are the most ecstatic times to visit.
