Nandgaon

Nandgaon Near to Agra

Nandgaon is a town and a nagar panchayat in Mathura district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Nandgaon was the home of Nanda, the foster-father of Lord Krishna. Infant Krishna was actually exchanged with the daughter of Nanda by Vasudeva, the blood father of Krishna, in order to save him from the imminent death from the hands of Kansa. Nanda thought that his wife Yashoda has given birth to the baby boy and started raising him as his son.

Architecture of Nandgaon

The village is situated in the lap of a hill. There are quite a few temples in the village among those the one dedicated to Nanda Rai is the best. This temple is very old and Raja Roop Singh took a substantial part of its construction. This temple is situated on the top of the hillock. There are other minor temples too that are dedicated to minor deities such as Narsingha, Nritya Gopal and Yashoda Nandan. Close by is Pan Sarovar. This is actually a tank that has masonry ghats along its sides. If we go by the legend, this lake served as the source of water for the men and cattle of the then Nandgaon. Even Lord Krishna used to take his cow at the same ghats. A grove of Kadamb called Udhoji - Ka- Kyar is also close.

Attractions of Nandgaon

Nand Rai Temple: This 18th century temple of Nand, the foster father of Krishna, dominates the smaller hill and the town of Nand Gaon. Roop Singh, a Jat ruler, built this temple. The other temples here are dedicated to Narsingha, Gopinath, Nritya Gopal, Girdhari, Nand Nandan, and Yasodha Nandan, which are located half way up the hill.

Pavan Sarovar: A little beyond the temple of Nand is the Pavan Sarovar, a large lake with masonry ghats along its sides. According to a common belief this was the place where Shri Krishna used to take his cows for water. Near by is the kadamb grove called Udhoji-Ka-Kyar.

Lathmaar Holi: During the festival of Holi, an unusual ritual takes place each year. First the menfolk of Nandgaon invade Barsana to taunt women with lewd songs and are consequently beaten up by the women with long wooden staffs. On the next day, the procedure is reversed and the men of Barsana pay courting calls to the women of Nandgaon.

Accommodation near Nandgaon

Nandgaon is like a small township, mainly famous for its religious importance and tourists can find some nice and resonable Dharamshalas for accommodation purpose in here.

More Info

Ideal Time to Visit: Anytime round the year, 7:00 AM to 8:30 PM
Location: Nandgaon is situated 10 kilometers from Barsana on the road towards Mathura and  is situated at a distance of 32 Kilometers from Mathura. Typical of villages of Braj, Nandgaon too is connected to the legend of Lord Krishna.

How to reach

Air: Nearest airport from Mathura is Kheria (Agra), 62 kms.
Rail: Mathura is on the main lines of the central and western railways and is connected with all the major cities and is 56-km from Nandgaon.
Road: Mathura is well connected by motorable roads to important tourist centres and has regular buses plying between Mathura and Nandgaon.
Local Transport: Taxis, Tongas and Cycle rickshaws.