Barsana,
50 km to the north-west of Mathura and 19 km north-west of Govardhan,
is situated at the foot of a hill that is named after Brahma. Barsana
was once the home of Radha-Rani, Krishna's beloved and consort. Temples dedicated to the divine couple ornament the four elevations of the hills. The chief among them is the Radha-Rani Temple, more fondly referred to as the Ladliji Temple. The most beautiful temple at Barsana, it was built by Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo of Orchha in 1675. The new marble temple adjoining it is a later addition.
The other three shrines are the Man Mandir, Dargah and Mor-Kutir temples. The area between the hill housing the Radha-Rani Temple and the adjoning one, is known as th Sankari-Khor. This is the venur of the annual fair held in the month of Bhadon (July-August).
The
birth anniversary of Radha-Rani is celebrated on the ninth day of the
bright half of Bhadrapad (July-August) at the Mor-Kutir Temple which was
built about 300 years ago. Women celebrated the occasion by giving laddus to the peacock-to symbolize the serving of sweets by Radha to Lord Krishna. Most of the monuments and edifices here have deteriorated with the advent of time .
Still a few tanks do survive and can be seen, including the Prem Sarovar, Roop sagar, Jal Mahal and the Bhanokhar Tank. Barsana is also famous for its 'Lathmar' Holi-celebration of the festivl of colour that are unique to this town.
