Akshay Vat, or the eternal banyan tree, is situated about 8 Kilometers south of Rama Ghat (Aicha Dauji temple). Under the shades of this banyan tree Krishna, Balarama, and the other cowherd boys would love playing and having fun. They especially liked to wrestle here. It is believed that five thousand years ago, this place was full of banyan trees. The original tree was so gigantic that its branches extended across Yamuna, which flowed nearby at that time. Krishna and His friends would walk on those branches to cross over the river. ‘Akshay Vat’ is also the place where Balarama killed Pralambasura. Today, there is a beautiful Sita, Rama, and Lakshman temple adjacent to Akshay vat. Thousands of pilgrims from all over the world come to this place to seek blessings and reminisce about the enchanting pastimes of the Supreme Lord.
Balarama kills Pralambasura
Pralambasura was a fierce demon who tried to kidnap Krishna and Balarama. Once while Krishna and Balarama were playing along with their friends, Pralamasura entered their company disguising himself as a cowherd boy. This pastime occurred in the middle of hot summer. However, due to the presence of Krishna and Balarama, the environment felt just like spring. Pralambasura calculated that it would be too difficult to contend with Sri Krishna and hence he decided to fight with Balarama. Krishna, the supreme Lord, could understand everything and started pondering about how He could kill the demon. Externally, however, He behaved nicely with Pralambasura and welcomed him into their game. The cowherd boys were then divided into two groups, one led by Krishna and the other by Balarama. It was decided that whichever group lost will have to carry the winners on their shoulders. Balarama’s group emerged victorious and the fellows of Krishna’s group lifted them on their shoulders.
Sensing an opportunity, Pralambasura raised Balarama on his shoulders and began running away quickly. As the demon tried to escape, Balarama became as heavy as mount Sumeru. This forced the demon to slow down and reveal his original demoniac form. Witnessing the gigantic body of the demon that reached the skies and apprehending his evil intention, Lord Balarama became furious. He then struck the demon’s head with His firm fist, thereby cracking the demon’s skull. Vomiting blood, the demon fell lifeless. The cowherd boys glorified the heroic deed of Balarama while the demigods rained flowers upon Him.
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura writes in Chaitanya Shiksamrita that devotees must endeavor to cleanse themselves of the anarthas (sins) that Lord Balarama slays. The demon Pralambasura symbolizes the sin of superficially performing devotion while nurturing the lust for women, money, worship, and high position. The aspiring devotee must strive to remove these anarthas (obstacles to pure devotion) with determined effort while being aided by Lord Krishna’s causeless mercy.
How to Reach Akshay Vat
Akshay Vat is situated about 40 Kilometers from Mathura railway station and 6 Kilometers from the Shergarh police station. The place lies near the village of Kajroth Bangar, adjacent to the Siyaraha-Shergarh Highway, and falls within the Chhata block of the Mathura district.