Every year millions set foot on Vrindavan with one motive: to witness Krishnasraasleela.
Nidhivan, the tulsi forest.
Photo:umang saraf/Flickr
This corner is a part of old Vrindavan, thriving as a forest called Nidhivan.
Nidhivan is a tulsi or holy basil forest where tall plants grow intertwined in pairs of two.
A temple and a shrine stud the premises, and a honeycomb of cenotaphs line the outer areas.
Children from across the world circle back here to set up fond remembrances of their deceased parents.
It is believed that a decorated cenotaph erected in Krishnas land brings good fortune for lives to come.
Since then, Krishna is believed to visit the place every night.
But when it comes to Nidhivan, this belief seems to hold true.
Locals believe that every night after sundown, Krishna visits the forest and dances in dalliance.
The holy basil trees twist free from their natural shackles and transform into gopis.
No human has ever witnessed the scenario, but there’s enough anecdotal data to inspire belief.
Neighbours to the forests have often reported strange sounds of flute and anklets emanating from the forest at night.
There were many who got curious enough to trespass the land in the dark.
The perfectly working devices had recorded nothing.
The small marble structures are the memorials of people who dared to stay in Nidhivan after 8pm.
Photo:Sharan Traveller
The priests of Vrindavan have their own accounts to share.
In the Rang Mahal temple of Nidhivan, Radha is believed to visit every night.
The temple is revered as her shringar ghar or makeup house.
The strange part is that the doors to the temple are locked under five locks every night.
The temple closes at 5pm, and no one is allowed in after hours.
References#Times Travel#Kalinga TV
