Belvan

Sacred forest · Belvan, across the Yamuna from Vrindavan, Mathura district, UP

One of the twelve forests of Braj, on the far bank of the Yamuna opposite Vrindavan, named for its bael (bilva) trees whose fruit Krishna and Balarama ate while herding cows. Lakshmi Devi is said to be performing austerities here still, hoping to join the rasa dance that is open only to the gopis, and her temple is the centre of the grove. A baithak of Vallabhacharya and Krishna Kund are nearby.