KRISHNA JANMBHOOMI (Shri)

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

Among the foundations of the Kesava Deo Temple at Mathura is a bare, relatively small room (of unidentified size) designed to look like a prison cell. IDENTITY: Compare –>Krishna Cave (TOD 1829). ETYMOLOGY: Janmbhoomi (note 1) or Janam Bhumi (note 2) is a birthplaceSITUATION 1997: Among the foundations of the Kesava Deo Temple is a small room designed to look like a prison cell. Here pilgrims file past the stone slab on which Krishna is said to have been born 3500 years ago [note 3] … Auranzeb's mosque rises above the site and there's a more recent Hindu temple beside it. Following the clashes between Hindus and Muslims in Ayodhya, there's now a heavy military presence. The temple is open from 6 am to noon and from 4 to 8 pm (LONELY PLANET, India 1997: 378). SITUATION 2001: Among the foundations of the Kesava Deo Temple … In fact, this is only an approximation of the site as the original temple now lies buried under Aurangzeb's mosque, the Katra Masjid, which looms over the ne Hindu temple and has a 24-hour police guard to prevent a repeat of the events at Ayodhya in 1992. Many areas are off limits and cameras must be deposited at the security checkpoint at the entrance (LONELY PLANET, North India 2001: 425). SITUATION 2005: Among the foundations of the mura-filled Kesava Deo Temple is a small, bare room with a slab of rock on which Krishna is said to have been born … Surrounding the [Kesava Deo] temple are gardens and arcades of shops that sell Krishna souvenirs. Cameras, mobile phones and cigarettes are not allowed inside the complex. Next door is Katra Masjid, a mosque built by Aurangzeb, which is guarded round the clock by soldiers to prevent a repeat of the events at Ayodhya in 1992 (LONELY PLANET, India 2005: 367-368). CULTURAL HISTORY - religious folklore: Krishna was obliged to make his entry into the world in these undignified surroundings because his parents had been imprisoned by the tyrannical King Kanza, Krishna's uncle (LONELY PLANET, India1997: 378, 2005: 378; LONELY PLANET, North India 2001: 425).1997: 378, 2005: 378; LONELY PLANET, North India 2001: 425).