Barsana

Barsana
city
Barsana Location in Uttar Pradesh, India
Coordinates: 27°39′N 77°23′E / 27.65°N 77.38°E / 27.65; 77.38Coordinates: 27°39′N 77°23′E / 27.65°N 77.38°E / 27.65; 77.38
Country	India
State	Uttar Pradesh
District	Mathura
Elevation	182 m (597 ft)
Population (2001)
• Total	9,215
Languages
• Official	Hindi
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)

Barsana (Hindi: बरसाना), Barsana Dham or Varsana (alt. spelling) is a town and a nagar panchayat in the Mathura district of the state of Uttar Pradesh, India.

History

Temple in Barsana, dedicated to the worship of Radha and Krishna

It is a village near Mathura. Stories from the Hindu tradition relating to the deity, Krishna indicate that his favorite gopi, known as Radha, spent her childhood in Barsana.^[1] The town is thus a site of pilgrimage for many followers of Vaishnavism, and especially Gaudiya Vaishnavism which reveres Radha as the most worshippable Goddess, or Shakti.
The town comes alive every Holi around March, when the Lath mar Holi is played here. Tourist from all over flock the city for what is a truly remarkable sight.

Geography

Barsana is located at 27°39′N 77°23′E / 27.65°N 77.38°E / 27.65; 77.38.^[2] It has an average elevation of 182 metres (597 feet). Barsana is known for a fervent form of Holi known as the Lath-maar Holi. It takes the form of a procession coming down from Radharani temple. Men from Nand gaon impersonating Krishna, come to play Holi with the ladies of Barsana who play the role of Radha- Lord Krishna's Consort. The legend has it that Radha and her friend gopis decided to teach a lesson to Krishna for stealing their clothes at a bathing ghat. In remembrance of the friendly revenge the ladies of Barsana charge at men with well oiled lathis (staff) who shield themselves from the blows using leather shields amidst clouds of colour and myrrah.

Barsana comes under the Tehsil Chaata of the Mathura district and has a famous temple built on a small hill in the late 18th century. The culture of the city is replete with numerous legends of Krishna and the Gopis and poetic depiction of the legends are very popular.

The Barsana temple is located on top of a hill which is a part of a small ridge composed of four hills. These hills are revered in the local legends as either the four heads of the god Brahma, or the three largest peaks as a form of trinity. Man Mandir is located atop another hill. The temples have a relatively recent construction and are dated to 18th century. The hill is verdant and is known as Ghevarvan. Rasalila is organised by several local saints in which local children become Radha and Krishna along with male and female companions dressed in wonderful garments and looking like real gods. The rasalila takes place at two places in Gahvar Van near Gopal kuti and a well. The famous Angrez baba, a saint from England directs one of the Lilas. This is a matter of great luck to watch his rasa lila which he organises in isolated place at odd hours of the day.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census,^[3] Barsana had a population of 9215. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Barsana has an average literacy rate of 53%, lower than the national average of 59.5%; with 66% of the males and 34% of females literate. 19% of the population is under 6 years of age.

References