15
km south-east of Mathura, on the Mathura -etah metalled road. It was here
that Lord Krishna was brought up in secrecy by Yashoda, in the pastoral
beauty of this village on the banks of the Yamuna. Gokul attained importance
during the time of vallabhacharya (1479-1531) when it became a major cente
of the Bhakti cult. The three oldest temples in the place are those dedicated
to Gokulnath, Madan Mohan and Vithalnath, said to have been built around
1511.The other temples include those of Dwarika Nath and Balkrishna and the shrines which were built in the honour of Lord Mahadeo in 1602 by Raja Vijai Singh of Jodhpur. The celebration of Janmashtami in Aughst is unparalleled for its gaiety and melas are a constant attraction here. Other such festivities celebrated with traditional fervour include the Janmotsav in Bhadaon, the Annakut Festival and the Trinavat Mela held on the fourth day of the half of kartik. Important sites worth visiting in Gokul include the Gokulnath Temple, Raja Thakur Temple, Gopal Lalji Temple and the Morwala Temple.
