Vrindavan is a supernatural place, there is no doubt about it. And the one who makes it special is none other than our Thakurji sitting here. The main Sapt Thakurji of our Vrindavan and Thakurji who appeared by the grace of some saints give more light to Vrindavan.
Shyama ji’s heart has emerged from the lotus. Sages say that it is actually Radhaji’s heart. When the most powerful Shri Krishna says to Shri Radha to incarnate: Now we have to incarnate for the welfare of the people, then Radharani says that where there is no Yamunaji, where there is no Govardhan, and where there is no my Vrindavan, she cannot live. Therefore, Braj Vrindavan Dham, a replica of Goloka’s Vrindavan, has appeared here in the earth.
Our Thakurji, who is seated here in Kaliyuga, further brightens Vrindavan. So let me tell you about 10 temples of Vrindavan, where you must visit.
(1) Radha Madanmohanji Temple
This 60 foot high temple was opened in 1580 on a 50 foot hill called Dvadasaditya Tila, next to the Yamuna. Built by Ram Das Kapur at the request of Sanatana Goswami this was the first temple to be built in Vrindavan, which at that time was just a forest. The deity of Krishna (Madana Mohana) was discovered by Sanatana Goswami. Worshiped along with Madana Mohana are Radharani and Lalita Sakhi.
(2) Radha Govindji Temple
Srila Rupa Gosvami originally established this temple under the instruction of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; being ordered to excavate all the lost holy places of Vrindavan. Five thousand years earlier, Lord Krishna’s grandson, Vajranaba, installed a number of important Deities in Vrindavana. Govindaji was one of these Deities.
The construction of the temple of Radha Govinda began under the guidance of Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami and his disciples headed by Raja Man Singh of Jaipur sometime after 1570. It was the most impressive edifice that had ever produced in the whole of Northern India. This temple was originally seven stories tall with a marble altar, silver and gold. A sculptured lotus flower weighing several tons decorates the main hall.
Because the soldiers of Aurangzeb desecrated the main temple, it is believed that worship cannot continue in that temple. Therefore this temple was established behind the original Govindaji temple and it contains the pratibhu Deities of Radha Govinda. The original Deities of Govinda were brought to Jaipur. The pratibhu Deities are considered to be the same as the originals.
(3) Radha Gopinathji Temple
This temple is a few minutes’ walk from Govindaji’s temple, was founded by Madhu Pandit Goswami, and its marvelous construction reveals a glorious past. Gopinatha, the presiding deity was first installed 5,000 years ago by Vajranabha, Lord Krishna’s grandson, and rediscovered at Vamsi- vata by Paramananda Goswami.
Sri Krishna ́s grandson Vajranabha had three deities carved according the descriptions of Krishna given by Parikshit ́s mother Uttara. Thousands of years later the same deity of Gopinath was rediscovered at Vamsi Vat in Vrindavan by Gadadhar Pandit ́s disciple Paramananda Bhattacharya. Later the seva was taken over by Sri Madhu Pandit, whose samadhi is located in back of the temple premises.
(4) Radha Vallabhji Temple
Shri Radhavallabh Temple is located in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India, and it is located in Vrindavan, Mathura district, near Banke Bihari Temple. Darshan of this temple is ‘Shri Radhavallabh darshan rare’, from this saying we can understand that darshan of Shri Radhavallabh temple is very difficult. This temple is related to Shri Hit Harivansh Mahaprabhu Ji, who was born in a village. As per the guidance given by Shri Radha, he started his journey towards Shridham Vrindavan. He is known as the flute form of Lord Shri Krishna.
(5) Radha Ramanji Temple
Constructed at the request of Gopala Bhatta Goswami in the sixteenth century, Radha Raman temple is one of the most exquisitely crafted and revered temples of Vrindavan ”Radha Ramana” means “one who gives pleasure to Radha”, and Radha Ramana is one of the few original deities still left in Vrindavan. The fires for cooking in the temple kitchen have been burning continuously since the Deity was installed over 460 years ago and the cooking still follows cookbooks from that time.
(6) Shree Bankey Bihariji Temple
Shri Banke Bihari Ji Temple located in Vrindavan is a holy place, where all sins are destroyed by just visiting, and who would not want to visit this holy place and consider himself blessed? This temple is located in a beautiful area of Vrindavan Dham, and is said to have been constructed around Samvat 1921 by the restraint of the descendants of Swami Shri Ram Ji.
No donor’s money was used in the beginning of the construction of the temple, and Sri Haridas Swami was an apathetic Vaishnav. His bhajans and kirtans revealed Shri Banke Bihariji from Nidhivan.
(7) Shree Yugal Kishorji
Shri Yugal Kishore Temple, following the Nimbarka tradition, is located at Jugal Ghat. According to Srimad Bhagavatam, when Shri Krishna disappeared from the presence of the Gopis, they later found him again in Ramanareti. After this, Shri Radha Krishna visited Jugal Ghat and took bath here. After this divine event, Thakur ji was named Shri Yugal Kishore.
There is another deity inside the temple known as Shri Jugal Bihari. Once a year Shri Jugal Bihari is brought out of the temple for a palanquin procession. This temple boasts of 300 to 400 years old history.
(8) Radha Gokulanandji Temple
Radha Gokulananda Temple is an ancient shrine, located at Vrindavan, in Uttar Pradesh. It is in between the Kesi Ghat and the Radha-Raman Temple.
In this temple there is the small Radha-Vinoda Deities of Lokanatha Gosvami, the larger Deities of Vijaya Govinda of Baladeva Vidyabhusana, and the Radha Gokulananda Deities of Viswanath Cakravarti. The small Deity of Krishna in front of Gokulananda and the Deity of Caitanya Mahaprabhu were worshiped by Narottama Dasa Thakur. Viswanath Cakravarti arranged to have this temple built. Formerly, all the Deities in this temple were worshiped alone, in their own temples.
(9) Radha Damodarji Temple
Established by Srila Jiva Goswami in 1542 in the holy dham of Vrndavan, the Deities of Sri Sri Radha Damodar were given to Srila Jiva Goswami by his guru, Srila Rupa Goswami Prabhupada and have been worshiped here since then. The bhajan kutir and samadhi of Srila Rupa Goswami as well as the samadhis of Srila Jiva Goswami, Krsnadasa Kaviraja Goswami, Bhugarbha Goswami and the bhajan kutir of Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada are present here also on the temple premises.
Presiding Deities are Sri Radha Damodar, worshipped by Srila Jiva Goswami, Sri Radha Vrndavan Chandra, worshiped by Srila Krishna Dasa Kaviraja Goswami, Sri Radha Madhava, worshipped by Srila Jayadeva Goswami, Sri Radha Chalacikan, worshipped by Srila Bhugarbha Goswami, and Govardhan Sila, worshipped by Srila Sanatana Goswami.
(10) Radha Shyamsundarji Temple
This is one of the most important temples for Gaudiya Vaishnavas. Established by Sri Syamananda Pandit the deity itself was gifted to him by Srimati Radharani, the consort of Lord Krishna, who had manifested it from her heart.
Among the seven main temples of Gaudiya Vaishnava sect in Sri Vrindavan Dham, the temple of Sri Sri Radha Shyamsundar has carved a special place for itself in the hearts of all the Vaishnavas because it houses the most beautiful and unique Deity of Sri Shyamsundar, that manifested from Srimati Radharani’s heart.
Conclusion
You must visit these 10 temples. This temple of Vrindavan is going to take us closer to the dark and beautiful Shri Krishna. Because they all are Krishna in person.Between temple visits, explore the enchanting Radha Krishna images that embody Vrindavan’s spiritual essence, and let your heart resonate with their divine love.
Experience the spiritual depth of Vrindavan through the Shri Krishna Govind Hare Murari bhajan, resonating with the love of Radha and Krishna.
Enjoy the Kunj lanes of Vrindavan because you never know in what form Radha Girdhari ji may come to you. Read more such articles today on our website vrindavanrasamrit.in
