Keshav Dev Temple

Overview

The Keshav Dev temple is a Hindu temple situated besides the main Krishna Janmabhoomi complex, the birthplace of Lord Krishna in Mathura; it is the place where, it is said, that Lord Krishna appeared.

About The Temple

The magnificent temple is classic example of Indian architecture and it's interiors adorned with the images of the Lord Krishna with His beloved Radha. Along with the temple is the cell inside which Lord Krishna was born. His parents Vasudev and Devaki were captured by his Maternal Uncle Kamsa.

About The Deity

Keshav Dev, one of the thousand names of Lord Krishna, is the main deity of this ancient temple.

Legend and Stories

The legend king Kansa was the ruler of Mathura, and his peoples were utterly terrified to him. As per the Hindu rituals, on the day of his sister’s, Devaki’s, marriage an akashvani or voice from the sky was heard predicting that Devaki’s 8th Son would be destroying Kansa. The startled Kansa immediately pulled out his sword for killing Devaki, but Vasudeva, Devaki’s husband, intervened and begged Kansa for bride’s life, and committed to hand over every new born child to him. Kansa agreed but imprisoned both Devaki and her husband Vasudeva. The Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple is believed to mark the spot where Sri Krishna was born. ‘Janmabhoomi’ literally means birth place and the prison cell, where Lord Krishna was born, has been converted to a beautifully decorated temple. It is one of the most visited temples in Mathura.

History of the Temple

In contemporary memory, it was built by Raja Vir Sinh Bundela of Orchaa, in the reign of Jehangir. The Rajput prince enjoyed a special favor with the Mogul on account of his support to Jehangir in his succession. It is believed to have been originally built 5000 years ago by Vajranabha, the great-grandson of Lord Krishna. According to a Sanskrit inscription found in Katra Keshavadeva, that in Vikrama Samvat 1150 A.D., when Maharaja Vijayapal Deva was the ruler of Mathura, a new temple built on the site of Shri Krishna's birthplace. 
Vir Singh Deo during Jahangir’s time built the great temple of Keshava Rai at Mathura and a sum of thirty-three lakhs of rupees, it is believed, was spent on temple construction. The Dehra of Keshava Rai was one of the most impressive temples ever built in India and enjoyed the patronage of the Hindus throughout the land. During the British rule in 1815, regarding temple land, there was a legal battle over the ownership between Muslim rulers and Hindu rulers. Finally it was settled in favor of the Hindu rulers of Benares. The Benares ruler bought the land from the East India Company. It was through the intervention of Madan Mohan  Malavya  In 1944, a great patriot, the temple came under the management of Birla - Jugal Kishore Birla of Birla group. A private trust was formed in 1951 to which the rights of land were later transferred. 
Subsequently Jaidayal Dalmia of Dalmia group took keen interest to fulfil aspirations of the local people and finally the temple was built by 1965 at the cost of Rs. 15 million rupees. Now it is being run by a private trust consisting of prominent members, besides Dalmia and Birla.

Festivals

The temple sees its biggest rush during Janmastami in August/September which is celebrated to mark the birth of Lord Krishna. Celebrations begin during mid-night with the birth of lord. Visitors from all over the world flock to the place during janmastami to be part of this grand event. One can see long queue of the pilgrims outside the temple on this holy day.

Accessibility

Since the temple is situated in the heart of the city of Mathura reaching there is not a problem. Mathura is connected to all major cities by road and rail. The nearest airport is at Kheria (60kms) in Agra. Tourists from South/Central India can take flight to the Kheria Airport of Agra which is less than 50km from Mathura. From here one can hire buses or taxi to reach Mathura. Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi is another nearest airport which is 147 km away. Delhi airport is well connected with major cities within the country and abroad. From Delhi there are bus, trains as buses to reach Mathura that are available on the daily basis. Mathura is well connected from all major cities in India. Mathura Railway junction is an important rail head in the Mumbai – Delhi, Chennai – Delhi rail route. Regular train services are available from Mathura to Delhi (Shatabdi Express), Mumbai (Bdts Garib Rath), Kolkata ((Toofan Express) and Chennai (G T Express). There are also trains from Agra to reach Mathura. Most cities in Uttar Pradesh have bus service to Mathura through a network of State and National Highways. Several state owned road transport corporation buses ply between Mathura and adjoining cities such as Lucknow, Kanpur, Agra. Mathura is around 135km from Delhi. There are two world class highways. The newly constructed Yamuna Expressway, that connects Delhi to Mathura and Agra. Yamuna Expressway. National Highway 2 is another that connects Delhi and Mathura on way to Agra.

Temple Address