Nandagram

Krishna lived here from the age of seven to ten. Nanda Maharaja built his house on top of the large hill here to protect Krishna from the demons sent by King Kamsa. Nanda Maharaja and the other cowherd men decided to move from Gokula to here because of the disturbances caused by demons trying to kill Krishna. The hill that the main temple is on is called Nandisvara Hill. Lord Siva prayed to Krishna to be allowed to witness his transcendental pastimes.

After Lord Siva performed penances for many centuries Lord Krishna asked him what he wanted. He told Krishna that he wanted to be a mountain in Vrindavana so that the gopis would step on him and they would leave the dust of their feet on him. Krishna granted him this boon and Lord Siva became this hill.

Nandagram is built upon him. Parjanya Maharaja, the grandfather of Krishna, was instructed by Narada Muni to come to Nandisvara Hill. He performed austerities here for many years. After this, Parjanya stayed here with his family. Nanda Maharaja and his community lived in Nandagram before Krishna appeared.

There was a meeting of the residents led by Upananda, the elder brother of Nanda Maharaja, and they decided to go to Gokula. After Krishna became seven years old the family moved back to here. When Krishna and Balarama came to Nandagram this was the first time they took out the cows for grazing. Before coming to Nandagram they only took out the calves for grazing. Most of the gopis got married in Nandagram, Varsana or Javat.