MATHURA VRINDAVAN (Classic India)

The Classic India series portrays the panorama of India's cultural heritage. For centuries India was perceived as the land of fabulous riches, of wisdom, of mystique and romance. It is this magic that the series captures. It provides a window to one of the world's most ancient civilizations - anachronistic at times but most often vibrant and alive today. A collector's item, each book in this series is a visual delight.

Braj, the land of Radhe-Shyam, resplendent in its glory as the birth-place of India's most loved god - Krishna. The very soil of this holy place is intermingled with myths connected with the birth, childhood, antics, heroics and the love-play of Krishna. It was in this consecrated bhoomi that the romance between Radha and Krishna bloomed, and it was witness to the Raasleela between the two. It was also here that the young Krishna played his pranks with the gopies, much to the displeasure of Radha.

Braj celebrates not only the childhood and the romantic youth of Krishna, but also his heroics, when he rid Mathura of its evil ruler, and his uncle, Kansa, by destroying him.

Today, all places associated with Krishna and his legends are marked by temples that capture the history and the myths of the times gone by. A visit to the holy land of Mathura-Vrindavan is dream that many a Hindu aspires to.

Ashish Khokar is a well-known writer and commentator on the arts and crafts; culture and civilization; religion and spirituality of India. He has been a critic for The Time of India, columnist for several magazines, a TV personality and editor of attendance, India's year book on dance. He is based in Bangalore and Chennai.