Gokul is the place where Krishna spent the early part of His childhood before shifting to Vrindavan. It is at Gokul that the Damodar Lila, Krishna showing the entire universe in his mouth to Yashoda Maiya, stealing butter from gopis home, killing of Putna and other childhood leelas of Krishna took place. You can have a virtual tour of Gokul here.
Kansa’s knew that Krishna is the one who will kill him. Hence he tried to kill Krishna multiple times and sent multiple daemons to do the job. However Krishna being the supreme lord himself killed all of them in the childhood. Nevertheless, his parents (Nand baba and Maa Yashoda) along with his countrymen also started to face a lot of trouble due to Kansa. Hence Nand baba decided to shift to any other place and choose Vrindavan.
Places to visit
- Nand bhavan: Nand Bhavan was the house of Nanda Baba, the leader of Gokul. Little Krishna, Balarama, and Yasoda Maiya lived here too.
- Chaurasi Khambha Mandir: Nearby is Chaurasi Khambha Mandir, also called the 84 Pillar Temple. This is where Krishna played with His friends and ate sand. Also, close to this temple, Krishna killed the female demon Putana and the Trinavrata demon.
- Brahmand Ghat: Brahmand Ghat is where the gopas told Yasoda Mayi that Krishna ate dirt. So, Yasoda Mayi asked little Kanha to open His mouth. Krishna said He didn’t eat dirt, but Yasoda Mayi told Him to show her anyway. When Krishna opened His mouth, Yasoda Mayi saw the whole universe inside! This happened at Brahmand Ghat in Gokul.
- Raman Reti: Raman Reti is a beautiful place where Krishna, Balarama, and their friends played in the soft sand of Gokul. The Pusti Margi devotees take good care of this place.
- Uthkal place: Finally, there is Uthkal, the place of the Damodar Lila. Yasoda Mayi tied Krishna to a grinding mortar (uthkal). This was because Krishna was stealing butter while Yasoda Mayi was cooking. When she asked Him, Krishna said He didn’t do it. This made Yasoda Mayi angry, so she tied Him to the wooden mortar so she could finish her work. This shows how Krishna agreed to be tied because of Yasoda Mayi’s love.