Shri Rangeshwar Mahadev Sirsama Bagichi, Mathura — Attraction in Uttar Pradesh

"Rāṅgeśvara is the protector of the dhāma. Kaṁsa arranged for Akrūra to bring Kṛṣṇa and Baladeva from Gokula. Kṛṣṇa and Baladeva reached this wrestling arena with the cowherd boys after asking various people for directions. The wrestling arena was beautifully decorated. Flowers bedecked splendid, arched gateways and the enormous bow of Śaṅkara was placed at the front of the arena. The mad elephant, Kuvalyāpīḍa, blocked the main entrance, waiting to kill Them. The deity of Raṅgeśvara Mahādeva had been beautifully decorated in various ways. When He entered the arena, Śrī Kṛṣṇa effortlessly picked up the bow with His left hand, strung it, and pulled the string in such a way that it broke into pieces, making a thunderous sound. Both brothers easily killed all the soldiers who were protecting the bow. They then continued Their tour of the city and at sunset returned to Their camp. At dawn the next day the wrestling festival began. Many gigantic and fierce wrestlers, such as Cāṇūra, Muṣṭika, Śala and Tośala, were ready for the wrestling match. Mahārāja Kaṁsa was seated on an elevated platform. Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma returned to the arena, and after slaying Kuvalyāpīḍa, Śrī Kṛṣṇa pulled out the elephant’s two tusks and used them to kill the elephant-keeper and other wicked people. Some soldiers ran to Mahārāja Kaṁsa to tell him about the incident. Grinding his teeth in anger, Kaṁsa signalled to Cāṇūra and Muṣṭika to quickly kill the two boys. Just then, Kṛṣṇa and Baladeva, reached the arena. Cāṇūra arrogantly challenged Śrī Kṛṣṇa, and Muṣṭika challenged Balarāma. This is what Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma wanted. Considering this wrestling match to be immoral and improper, the women of the city stood up and prepared to leave. Beholding the sweetness of Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s form, they said, “Aah, in truth, only the land of Vraja is supremely sacred and blessed. The most exalted Supreme Person resides there, disguised as an ordinary human being. That Lord, whose lotus feet are worshipped by the god of gods, Mahādeva Śaṅkara, and by Lakṣmī, wanders about there in great bliss, wearing a garland of many-coloured flowers. He plays His flute and performs various pastimes with Balarāma and His sakhās while tending the cows. This sweetness of Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s form is easily available only to the residents of Vṛndāvana, especially the gopīs. The peacocks, male and female parrots, cows, calves and rivers of Vraja are all blessed. They are satisfied by freely relishing Kṛṣṇa’s variegated sweetness.” As the women of Mathurā were discussing this, Śrī Kṛṣṇa defeated and killed Cāṇūra and Balarāma defeated and killed Muṣṭika. Then the two brothers also killed the other wrestlers. Kaṁsa became furious and ordered Kṛṣṇa, Baladeva, Nanda and Vasudeva be taken prisoners. However, in a moment and with great speed, Kṛṣṇa leapt onto the platform and grabbed Kaṁsa by the hair and threw him to the ground. Kṛṣṇa then straddled Kaṁsa’s chest, and striking him with His fists, He killed Kaṁsa. Śrī Kṛṣṇa effortlessly and wonderfully slew Kaṁsa and his associates in the wrestling arena. Seeing this spectacle (raṅga), Śaṅkara, whom Kaṁsa had worshipped, became overjoyed. Hence, his name became Śrī Raṅgeśvara. To this day, Raṅga-bhūmi glorifies this colourful pastime of Śrī Kṛṣṇa. According to Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura, Kaṁsa was killed on Śiva-rātri (Caturdaśī). Since Kaṁsa had called Akrūra to his home for advice on Ekādaśī, Akrūra had reached Nanda-bhavana on Dvādaśī, and on Trayodaśī, Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma had travelled to Mathurā in Akrūra’s chariot. That evening, They wandered around Mathurā and the bow sacrifice was performed. The next day, on Śiva-caturdaśī, the two brothers killed Kuvalayāpīḍa, Cāṇura, Muṣṭika and Kaṁsa. Every year in the month of Kārtika on Śuklā-daśamī, one day before Devotthāna-ekādaśī, the Caube community organises a festival to celebrate the killing of Kaṁsa. During this festival a 25-30 foot statue of Kaṁsa is built to be killed by Śrī Kṛṣṇa."

From 'Sri Vraja-mandal Parikrama' by Srila Bhaktivedanta...

रंगेश्वर महादेव मंदिर, मथुरा

रंगेश्वर महादेव मंदिर उत्तर प्रदेश के मथुरा शहर में स्थित एक प्राचीन शिव मंदिर है। यह मंदिर भगवान शिव के उन रूपों में से एक है जिन्हें श्रीकृष्ण की लीलाओं से गहराई से जोड़ा गया है। इसे मथुरा के नगर रक्षक (क्षेत्रपाल) के रूप में पूजा जाता है।

पौराणिक महत्व:

कथाओं के अनुसार, मथुरा के अत्याचारी राजा कंस ने श्रीकृष्ण और बलराम को एक रंगशाला (कुश्ती अखाड़े) में बुलाया था ताकि उनका वध कराया जा सके। इस रंगशाला के बाहर एक उग्र हाथी 'कुवलयापीड़' और भगवान शिव का धनुष रखा गया था। श्रीकृष्ण ने ना केवल हाथी को मार गिराया, बल्कि शिव धनुष को भी तोड़ दिया और रंगशाला में जाकर कंस के पहलवानों को हराकर अंत में स्वयं कंस का वध किया।

यह स्थान उसी रंगशाला के स्थान पर स्थित माना जाता है और तब से भगवान शिव को 'रंगेश्वर महादेव' के नाम से पूजा जाता है।

मंदिर की विशेषताएँ:

मंदिर में शिवलिंग के साथ-साथ भगवान हनुमान, लक्ष्मी-नारायण, राम-सीता-लक्ष्मण, नंदी और रेंजेश्वरी काली माता की मूर्तियाँ भी विराजमान हैं।

रेंजेश्वरी काली माता को ‘कृष्ण काली’ के रूप में पूजा जाता है।

यहाँ की मूर्तियाँ और मंदिर की कलाकृति प्राचीन स्थापत्य का सुंदर उदाहरण हैं।

आरती और दर्शन समय:

प्रातः 5:00 AM से 12:00 PM तक

संध्या 5:00 PM से 8:00 PM तक

आरती समय:

प्रातः 5:00 बजे

दोपहर 12:00 बजे

संध्या 5:00 बजे

रात्रि 10:00 बजे

प्रमुख उत्सव:

कंस वध मेला: कार्तिक शुक्ला दशमी को विशेष आयोजन होता है जिसमें कंस वध की लीला प्रस्तुत की जाती है।

महाशिवरात्रि: इस दिन को विशेष भक्ति और उत्सव के साथ मनाया जाता है।

स्थान और पहुँच:

स्थान: होली गेट-टैंक चौराहा रोड, अंतापारा, मथुरा, उत्तर प्रदेश।

निकटतम रेलवे स्टेशन: मथुरा जंक्शन (लगभग 3 किमी)

निकटतम बस स्टैंड: नया मथुरा बस स्टैंड (लगभग 2 किमी)

निकटतम हवाई अड्डा: आगरा हवाई अड्डा (लगभग 60 किमी)

पास के दर्शनीय स्थल:

द्वारकाधीश मंदिर

विश्राम घाट

कंस किला

श्रीकृष्ण जन्मभूमि मंदिर

भूतेश्वर महादेव मंदिर

बिरला मंदिर

जय गुरुदेव मंदिर

अगर आप मथुरा जाएँ तो रंगेश्वर महादेव मंदिर अवश्य जाएँ। यह स्थान आध्यात्मिकता, इतिहास और भक्ति का संगम...

Rageshwar Mahadev Temple, located in Mathura, is a sacred Hindu pilgrimage site dedicated to Lord Shiva. This ancient temple holds immense religious significance and is revered by devotees who visit to seek blessings and pay homage to the deity. The temple's serene surroundings and spiritual ambiance make it a peaceful retreat for devotees and tourists alike. With its rich history and cultural heritage, Rageshwar Mahadev Temple stands as a symbol of devotion and faith in the heart of Mathura, attracting visitors from far and wide to experience its...