The
most celebrated of Shri Krishna's abodes, Gokul lies to the west of Sadabad,
1.6 km from Mahavan and 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.
