Gokarneshwar Mahadev Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva who is the dikpalaka or kshetrapalaka (protector of the city) of Mathura city. This temple has a Shiva Linga as well as the shrine of sage Gokarna which is of 4 feet height. The legend goes by that the Vasukarn, a vaishya and his wife Sushila could not get a child and they approached a saint who gave them a fruit to be fed to his wife. Instead, his wife fed it to the cow and a child was born to the cow with human body and face but with ears like a cow. Thus, the child was named as Gokarna which means “ears like cow” (‘Go’ means ‘cow’ and ‘karna’ means ‘ears’). It is said that the child became a great sage and built this temple and Lord Shiva is being named after him as “Gokarna Mahadev”.In Adi Varaha Purana, it is said that visiting Gokarneshwar Mahadev Temple in Mathura and offering worship to Lord Shiva would eliminate all the sins of a person.
Festivals at Gokarneshwar Mahadev in Mathura
Apart from daily pooja and aarti, festivals like Maha Shivratri, Holi, Akshaya Trithiyay are celebrated with great fervour.
Apart from the visit to Gokarneshwar Temple in Mathura, one can also visit other shivaite and vaishnavite temples and ghats as well as to the government museums and art galleries. There is also a museum at the Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple Complex which holds artefacts from the period of Lord Shri Krishna which adds to the aura of mythology.
How to Reach Gokarneshwar Temple in Mathura
Mathura is well connected with railways and all major trains stop at the Mathura Railway Station. It is also connected with all major cities by road as it is a major pilgrim centre. The Kheria airport in Agra is the closest airport. From their one can reach the city by private and public transports. From Mathura, one can take local transport to reach the temple.
Gokarneshwar Mahadev Temple is located on the northern part of Mathura and it is about 4.5 kms from the Mathura Railway Station. Head north on the Mathura Railway Station Road, turn right at Bajrang Chauraha on to Maholi Road, turn left at Sachdeva Dr A K on to the Bhuteshwar Road, pass by BSA College, when you reach Shiva Diagnostics Centre (Auth Dr Lal Path Labs) continue on to Mathura-Vrindavan Marg and pass the petrol bunk turn right at Amritdeep Hospital, turn left and you will find the Gokarneshwar Mahadev Mandir or Gokarnath Mahadev Mandir, Masani, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh 281 003. One can also get down at the Masani Railway Station which is very close to the temple (0.3 km) though only few trains stop there.
Stay Near Gokarneshwar Mahadev in Mathura
The best time to visit the temple is between October and March during this period the weather is bearable compared to summer when it is very hot and unbearable. One can also combine the “Brajmandal Parikrama” along with the visit to Gokarneshwar Temple.
Though dharmashalas are available in the temple, it is ideal to stay in the hotel in Mathura. Some of the hotels near the temple that are rated 1, 2, 3 stars are:
Hotel Govardhan Palace
Opp. Narholi Thana, Agra-Delhi Highway
Mathura
Mobile: 09917112000
Fax No :- 91-565- 2409920
Email :- [email protected], [email protected]
Website: www.hotelgoverdhanpalace.com
Hotel Sheel Gopal Vision
Dampier Nagar, Museum Road
Mathura 281 001
Tel: 0565 3295581
Website: www.hotelsheelgopal.com
Hotel Sheethal Regency
Near Krishna Janmabhoomi
Opp Roopam Cinema, Deeg Gate,
Masani Road, Chowk Bazaar,
Mathura – 281001
Mobile: 09639236505
Website: www.hotelsheetalregency.com
Hotel Abhinandan
Goverdhan Chauraha, Nh-2
Mathura-4
Mobile: 09760866595, 08057843707
Email :- [email protected]
Website :- www.hotelabhinandan.com
Gaurav Boarding House
Junction Road, Dampier Nagar
Mathura 281 001
Tel: 0565-2502772
Gaurav Hotels
Dampier Nagar, Junction Road
Mathura 281 001
Tel: 0565-2502772, 2501639, 6455166
Fax: 0565-2500164
Mobile: 9997641888
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.gauravhotels.com
Visiting Mathura always gives one a wholesome spiritual rejuvenation!
