Exploring Vrindavan through Krishna

Abstract

India is a land brimming with diverse cultures and historical places. Bhakti and devotion bear an important place within the Indian culture. Myths and mythology have been passed orally from one generation to another. Vrindavan is also one of such places which is surrounded by myth and mythology. Vrindavan has emerged as a place of popular pilgrimage and devotion in the recent centuries which has caused an increase in the circulation of myths related to this place. Krishna is deeply associated with Vrindavan and has thus become synonymous with the town. The current paper focuses on these myths which have prevailed in and around Vrindavan and Krishna for centuries and how new myths are being created in order to cater to the demands of the contemporary era. The paper also explores the role of Krishna in the development and decline of Vrindavan as a cultural and bhakti capital. The paper aims to explore the prevalent myths which have been acclimatized over the time around Vrindavan and Krishna and how this has led to the popularisation of Vrindavan as a mythical and miraculous place.