Madhuvan
About Madhuvan
Madhuvan is one of the twelve famous forests of Braj and is located near Mohali village in Uttar Pradesh. The name Madhuvan comes from two words: Madhu meaning “honey” and van meaning “forest.” This forest is named after a demon named Madhu, who once lived here in Satya-yuga. It is also the place where Lord Shatrughna, the younger brother of Shri Ram, killed Madhu’s son, Lavanasura, and later built the city of Mathura.
The Story of Lavanasura
In Treta-yuga, Madhuvan was terrorized by the demon Madhu, who had performed severe austerities and received a powerful trident from Lord Shankar (Shiva). As long as the trident was in Madhu’s hands, no one—whether a demigod, human, or demon—could defeat him. Despite being a prince in the Sun dynasty, Madhu became cruel due to bad company. His own father disowned and banished him from their kingdom.
Madhu established his rule in Madhuvan, harassing the people and spreading fear. Many brave kings tried to stop him, but his trident made him unbeatable. Before his death, Madhu gave the trident to his son Lavanasura, warning him never to part with it. Lavanasura, even more tyrannical than his father, used the trident to terrify the sages and residents of the area.
The distressed sages prayed to Shri Ram in Ayodhya for protection. Understanding the situation, Lord Ram coronated his younger brother Shatrughna as the king of Madhuvan and sent him to defeat Lavanasura. Shatrughna sought blessings from Valmiki Rishi and proceeded to Madhuvan.
Shatrughna arrived at Lavanasura’s cave when the demon was out hunting and had left his trident behind. When Lavanasura returned, Shatrughna challenged him to a fierce battle. Though Lavanasura tried to reach his trident, Shatrughna stopped him and, using sharp arrows, beheaded him.
After the victory, Shatrughna re-established the abandoned city of Madhupuri (present-day Mathura) and installed the deity of Lord Varaha (Adi-Varahadeva), who is still worshipped there today.
Krishna Kund
Krishna-Kund is a sacred pond that Lord Krishna created by striking the ground with His flute. Krishna would often bring His cows to this spot, where they drank water. Close to Krishna-Kund, there is a temple with a deity of Shri Shatrughna.
Dauji Temple
Near Krishna-Kund, there is a temple dedicated to Lord Balarama, also known as Dauji. The deity of Balarama in this temple has a unique black complexion, which carries a special significance.
After Shri Krishna and Balarama left Vrindavan and Mathura to live in Dwarka, the people of Braj deeply missed Krishna and longed for His return. When Balarama heard about their sorrow, He went back to Braj to console them. Seeing the extent of their grief, Balarama himself felt intense separation from Krishna. While meditating on Krishna’s pastimes in Braj, Balarama’s complexion turned blackish-blue, resembling that of Shyam (Krishna).