Kokilavan Dham / Shani Dev Temple Kosi Kalan, Mathura- How to Reach, My Experience, History & More

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Check out the timings before visiting the temple. I have confirmed these timings from the temple authority.

Kokilavan/ Shani Dev Temple Timings

Days Timings 
SundayOpen- 24 Hours
MondayOpen- 24 Hours
TuesdayOpen- 24 Hours
WednesdayOpen- 24 Hours
ThursdayOpen- 24 Hours
FridayOpen- 24 Hours
SaturdayOpen- 24 Hours

Shani Dev Temple (Kokilavan) Aarti Timings

Days Morning Timings Evening Timings 
Sunday4:00 A.M6:00 P.M
Monday4:00 A.M6:00 P.M
Tuesday4:00 A.M6:00 P.M
Wednesday4:00 A.M6:00 P.M
Thursday4:00 A.M6:00 P.M
Friday4:00 A.M6:00 P.M
Saturday4:00 A.M6:00 P.M

Kokilavan Dham Bhog Updated Timings 

Days Morning Timings Evening Timings 
SundayBetween 9:00 A.M to 10:00 A.M7:00 P.M
MondayBetween 9:00 A.M to 10:00 A.M7:00 P.M
TuesdayBetween 9:00 A.M to 10:00 A.M7:00 P.M
WednesdayBetween 9:00 A.M to 10:00 A.M7:00 P.M
ThursdayBetween 9:00 A.M to 10:00 A.M7:00 P.M
FridayBetween 9:00 A.M to 10:00 A.M7:00 P.M
SaturdayBetween 9:00 A.M to 10:00 A.M7:00 P.M

Lord Shani has long been a part of Indian mythology and folklore. Lord Shani is the oldest son of Chaya and Suryadev and one of Hindu mythology’s most dreaded gods. 

shani temple mathura images

In Kosi Kalan, near the ancient and enchanting city of Mathura, there is a temple called Kokilavan Dham Shani dev Temple that includes the magnificent history and beliefs of the people towards the Almighty Lord Shani.

It is one of the most gorgeous temples in Kosi Kalan, Mathura, having a life-size figure of Lord Shani sculpted in black stone.

About Kokilavan Temple

The famous Shani Temple, dedicated to Shani Dev and his mentor Barkhandi Baba, is located near Kosi Kalan in Mathura. Because of its location in the middle of the jungle, the site is also known as Kokilavan Dham Kosi Kalan. Pilgrims do a parikrama around the temple and bathe in the sacred Kund.

Saturdays are the busiest days of the week, as local pilgrims and tourists from all over the world flock to the temple. Devotees think that bathing in the Suryakund at Kokilavan will grant them their wishes. At the temple grounds, there is a sacred tree where devotees offer water and use their fingers to write their desires on a blank wall.

Kokilavan Dham / Shani Dev Temple

My Expereince at Shani Temple (Kokilavan) Kosi Kalan

I was watching videos on youtube. I saw a video of Shani Dev Temple Kosi Kalan in a suggestion. after exploring the temple. I went there on Saturday. there were lots of devotees. Kokilavan dham is on Nandgaon, Kosi kalan road. there is the large statue of Shani dev. once I reached the temple. I started Parikrama which is around 3 kilometers. there is Kund near the temple called Surya Kund. as I asked locals about things I got to know people only visit on Saturdays. after completing the Parikrama. i purchased mustard oil for pooja. there were lots of pandits who help you in pooja and take around 200 rupees. there was also a temple of Shri Radha Krishan.

I also took the prasad of Pudi Sabji from Bhandara. there were lots of Bhandara going on. devotees were enjoying Bhandara.

History

In the deep woodlands of Mathura, the Hindu holy city, there is a shrine to Lord Shani Dev. As Lord Shri Krishna was born, all the gods gathered at Nandgaon to witness and bless the newborn Krishna. So Shani Dev also came to Nandgaon, but Yasoda, Lord Shri Krishna’s foster mother, refused to let him meet the baby Krishna because she was afraid that seeing Shani Deva may bring bad luck to her son Krishna.

Lord Shani Deva was enraged by this, and he went to the forest near Nandgaon to perform penance. He was intrigued by the fact that he was not permitted to view young Krishna since he was punishing humanity for their karma and thus was simply doing his duty. He was also irritated by the fact that he was referred to as a cruel god. 

Lord Shri Krishna, inspired by Shani Dev’s penance, made the spot where they met and promised that anyone who visits Kokilavan Temple will be free of all their troubles.

The temple is located where Lord Krishna was given darshan in the thick jungle (van), and it also holds the shrine of Shani Dev’s guru, Barkhandi Baba. Another legend says that when Lord Krishna was younger, he would come to this forest and play the melody that drew the Gopis. He would transform into a Cuckoo named Koyal or Kokila in Hindi when they arrived. As a result, the forest is known as Kokilavan, which means “Cuckoo’s Forest” in English.

 Images

Architecture

The Kokilavan Dham is about 20 acres in size. It also features temples dedicated to Giriraj, Guru Barkhandi Baba, Gokulesh Maharaj, Sri Dev Bihariji, and Navgraha, in addition to Shani Dev’s shrine. The compound also includes two huge ponds and a cow shelter (Goshala). It is the only forest in the Braj bhumi that still exists today.

Saturdays and Shani Amavasya, in addition to the everyday pooja and aarti, are significant days for the temple, and pilgrims flock to the temple on these days. Radharani and Shiva deities can also be found at the temple.

Location 

This magnificent shrine is located in the Mathura district. Mathura is 45 kilometres away. The city is well connected to Agra by rail and road.

Significance

It’s a very old temple dedicated to Lord Shani and his guru, Barkhandi Baba. Devotees from all over India visit this shrine to worship and pray, as well as to appreciate the beauty of the Kosi Kalan district near Mathura. Devotees say that anyone who comes to a halt and bows their head in reverence to this temple would constantly feel Lord Krishna’s presence around them.

There is no entry fee for the guests. The temple is open for guests 24 hours a day, and the best time to attend the pooja is around midday. People prefer to visit on Saturday mostly. 

The perfect time to pray is in the morning, between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. People like to visit the temple Saturdays. Mornings have a different attraction when it comes to visiting this forest temple. The average tourist spends 30 minutes to an hour exploring the temple grounds.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit the temple is during the winter. Between November and December, visitors came to this location.

Things to do

If you visit this magnificent location, don’t miss the daily puja at 12 p.m.

Aside from the temples, there are adventure sports such as river rafting, fishing, and boating on Kosi Lake.

How to Reach Kokilavan Dham Kosi Kalan?

Kokilavan Dham is approx 10 kilometers from Kosi Kalan.

Via Train– if you are planning to come by train then Kosi Kalan is the nearby railway station for you. Kokilavan Dham only 10 K.M away from Kosi kalan. once you reach the station from where you come by auto and bus that you can pick up from outside of the railway station. Also, come from Mathura junction railway station which is around 55 K.M.

Here I am mentioning how to reach Shani dev Temple (Kokilavan Dham) by road from several places

The distance between Delhi to Kokilavan Dham is approx 150 K.M

The distance between Agra to Kokilavan Dham is approx 115 K.M

The distance between Mathura to Kokilavan Dham is approx 50 K.M

The distance between Vrindavan to Kokilavan Dham (Shani Dev Temple) is approx 45 K.M

The distance between Nandgaon to Kokilavan Dham (Shani Dev Temple) is approx 6 K.M

The distance between Barsana to Kokilavan Dham (Shani Dev Temple) is approx 14 K.M

The distance between Govardhan to Kokilavan Dham (Shani Dev Temple) is approx 33 K.M

The distance between Jaipur to Kokilavan Dham (Shani Dev Temple) is approx 238 K.M

The distance between Bharatpur to Kokilavan Dham (Shani Dev Temple) is approx 88 K.M

Shani Dev/ Kokilavan Dham Map Location

Here you can find more places of Mathura (Brij)- Places to visit in Barsana, Shri Ji Temple Barsana, Kirti Mandir Barsana

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