Jaipur Yatra
City of Victory
Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan (“the Land of Kings”), where Lord Krishna is the centre of devotion, is a very blessed city to be home of many principal Deities that were originally worshipped by the Gosvamis of Vrindavana.
Important Temples in Jaipur:
1. Sri Govinda Dev Ji Temple - Srila Rupa Gosvami worshiped these Deities in Vrindavana.
2. Sri Gopinath Ji Temple - Srila Madhu Pandita Gosvami worshiped these Deities in Vrindavana.
(Useful information: This temple is located in the Topkhanadesh area of Jaipur by Chandpol Bazaar. If you are on Tripoliya Bazaar Road, you go west until you get to Gangori Bazaar Road. Tripoliya Bazaar Road is the main road, right next to the inner wall. Take right turn and go down a few streets and then take left turn and go about a half-km down the road. The temple is on the left.)
3. Sri Damodara Ji Temple - These are the original Deities worshiped by Srila Jiva Gosvami in Vrindavana.
(Useful information: This temple is difficult to find as locals don’t know its location. Location is: Choti choppad and Badi Choppad ke bich ki red light par. Please ask auto-rickshaw to take you to this location.)
4. Sri Vinod Lal Ji Temple - Deities of Radha-Vinoda originally worshiped by Srila Lokanath Dasa Gosvami at the Radha-Gokulananda Temple in Vrindavana.
(Useful information: This temple is difficult to find as locals don’t know its location. Temple is very close (100 meter walkable distance) from Sri Damodara Ji temple i.e. Choti Choppad and Badi Choppad ke bich ki red light par. Please ask auto-rickshaw to take you to this location. It is on shop no. 295. Climb on the staircases and you will reach the temple.)
5. Sri Madan Gopal Temple - Srila Sanatana Gosvami worshiped these Deities.
(Useful information: This temple is difficult to find as locals don’t know its location. This is very close to Sri Damodara Ji temple on the same road. Please ask auto-rickshaw to take to Chaudi sadak near Tadkeswar mandir. Sri Madan Mohan and Sri Madan Gopal Ji were originally at this temple, before Sri Madan Mohan went to Karauli.)
6. Sri Sri Radha Madhava Temple - Srila Jayadeva Gosvami worshiped these Deities.
(Useful information: This temple is in Kanaka Vrindavana (also known as Kanaka Ghati) on Amber road in Jaipur. Kanaka Vrindavana is very close to the famous Jal Mahal.)
7. Sri Natwara Ji Temple - Deities of Amarkuar, Jaya Singh’s sister.
(Useful information: This temple is in Kanaka Vrindavana on Amber road in Jaipur. Temple is very close (next) to Sri Sri Radha Madhava of Srila Jayadeva Gosvami at Kanaka Ghati)
8. Sri Galta Ji Temple
(Useful information: Galta, about 13 km from Jaipur downtown, is a holy site which has very deep significance in the history of the Gaudiya Vaishnava sampradaya. During the attack of the Mughals, Sri Govinda ji was moved from Vrindavana to Galta under the rule of Maharaja Jai Singh. It was here at Galta that Srila Baladev Vidyabhushan established the superiority of the philosophy of Gaudiya Vaishnavism amongst all the other sampradayas, and the place where that transcendental debate happened, and by the grace of Sri Govinda Dev, he was victorious. Great saint Galav also performed his bhajan here.)
9. Sri Govardhana Nath Temple - Maharaja of Jaipur worshipped these Deities.
(Useful information: This temple is next to the boundary wall of Hawa Mahal. It is a big temple. Hawa Mahal is close to Sri Govind Dev Ji temple.)
10. Sri Sri Radha Mahatav Bihari Ji Temple
(Useful information: This temple is near Hawa Mahal, near the Post Office.)
11. Hare Krishna (ISKCON) Jaipur - Sri Sri Giridhari Dauji Temple
(Temple address is: ISKCON Jaipur, Village Dholai, New Sanganer Road, Opp. Vijay Path, Mansarovar, Jaipur. Temple is close to the airport. Temple has a Guest House and Govinda’s restaurant.)
(Karauli is 182 km southeast of Jaipur and 100 km southwest of Mathura. Nearest Railway station Hindon city 29 km which is on western railway.)
After Lord Sri Krishna left this world, Maharaja Yudhisthira, unable to bear the separation from the Lord, also decided to leave the world. Before leaving, he coronated Maharaja Pariksit as the emperor of the world, and the great-grandson of Lord Sri Krishna, Vajranabha, as the king of Mathura. Vajranabha was requested by the great devotees to restore the glories of Vrindavana. So he decided to excavate those holy places of Vrajabhumi in which Lord Sri Krishna had performed His lila, and to install beautiful and sacred Deities in principal places of Vraja dhama. He sat on the banks of the Yamuna under a kalpavriksha tree and prayed to Sri Sri Radha and Krishna. By the auspicious mercy of that kalpavriksha tree, Radha and Krishna’s mercy entered his heart and revealed to him the holy places of Sri Krishna’s lila. Later, when he decided to install Deities, he called Vishwakarma, the architect, of the demigods. The three principal Deities carved by him were Sri Madan Mohan, Sri Govinda and Sri Gopinath.
Mother Uttara, who had seen Lord Krishna directly, was present at that time. When she saw the beautiful form of Sri Madan Mohan, she explained that “the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna’s feet are most perfectly revealed in this Deity”. When she saw the beautiful form of Sri Govinda, she explained that “the chest and the flute of the Lord are most perfectly revealed in this Deity”. When she saw the divine form of Sri Gopinath, she explained that “the beautiful smiling face of Sri Krishna is most perfectly revealed in this Deity.” Thus these were the most important Deities of Vraja.
In 1972, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the Founder-acarya of ISKCON, travelled to Jaipur with some of his western disciples. Throughout the week-long festival large crowds came to attend Prabhupada's lectures. Srila Prabhupada would chant prayers from Brahma-samhita and then lectured in Hindi. "This whole city is made of devotees of Radha-Govindaji," Srila Prabhupada commented. Sri Govindaji was still being worshiped by thousands of devotees. Srila Prabhupada and his followers were happy to see this. Thus, there was a mutual exchange of love between the inhabitants of Jaipur and the ISKCON devotees, for these devotees were also worshipers of Lord Govinda, or Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Just as Srila Prabhupada's disciples were moved to see a living legend of Krishna consciousness in Jaipur, so the queen of Jaipur, Maharani Gayatri Devi, was moved by the devotion of Srila Prabhupada and his followers. To show her appreciation, she offered Srila Prabhupada a pair of large marble Deities of Radha and Krishna, similar to the original Radha-Govindaji Deities. Srila Prabhupada accepted the Deities and immediately shipped Them to his ISKCON centre in New York. The Deities, he said, would be known as Radha-Govinda.
Jaipur city was fashioned according to Silpa-sastra, the part of the Vedas dealing with architecture and design. Although established in the early 18th century, it is still functional and appreciated for its masterful construction. The city was arranged on a grid of wide avenues connected by smaller roads, all focusing on the central palace where Sri Govindaji's Temple stands in a beautiful garden. When the Govinda Ji’s temple doors were open, a very pious and great Vaishnava, Maharaja Jai Singh could see his beloved deity from the royal quarters.
Sri Madan Mohan Ji worshipable deity of Srila Sanatana Gosvami at Karoli, Sri Govinda Ji worshipable deity of Srila Rupa Gosvami at Jaipur and Sri Gopinath Ji worshipable deity of Sri Madhu Pandita Gosvami at Jaipur.
Srila Prabhupada explains in Sri Caitanya Caritamrta purport (Adi 7.73): "According to the Vedic principles, there are three stages of spiritual advancement, namely, sambandha-jnana, abhidheya and prayojana. Sambandha-jnana refers to establishing one's original relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, abhidheya refers to acting according to that constitutional relationship, and prayojana is the ultimate goal of life, which is to develop love of Godhead." Madana Mohana is predominating deity of sambandha, establishing our relationship with Lord Krishna as His servant. Govinda is the predominating deity of abhidheya, to be engaged in His devotional service. And Gopinath is the predominating deity of prayojana. Therefore the worship of these particular deities is very helpful for the attainment of pure devotional service. This is why it is a very powerful spiritual experience to see these three deities, bow down at their feet, and humbly beg them respectively for sambandha, abhidheya, and prayojana. "The Vedic literatures give information about the living entity's eternal relationship with Krishna, which is called sambandha. The living entity's understanding of this relationship and his acting accordingly is called abhidheya. Returning home, back to Godhead, is the ultimate goal of life and is called prayojana." --Sri Caitanya Caritamrta, Madhya 20.124
1. Sri Govinda Dev Ji Temple
of Srila Rupa Gosvami
Sri Govinda Dev Ji, beloved Deities of Srila Rupa Gosvami in Jaipur
Sri Govinda Dev ji was originally installed nearly 5,000 years ago by Lord Krishna’s great-grandson. Govindaji is one of the four presiding Deities of Vraja-mandala (greater Vrindavana). Govindaji is a name of Krishna that means "one who gives pleasure to the senses, cows, and land." This temple is located right next to the City Palace within the innermost walls of the old city. Govindaji was originally worshiped by Srila Rupa Gosvami and installed at the Radha Govindaji Temple in Vrindavana. Govindaji was later brought to the city of Amber, near Jaipur, by Maharaja Jai Singh II to protect the Deity from destruction at the hands of the Muslim emperor Aurangzeb. Jai Singh’s grandfather had originally constructed the Govindaji Temple in Vrindavana. Govindaji was moved to the present temple in Jaipur about 1728. Maharaja Jai Singh created his “City of Victory”, the city of Jaipur, as a dedication to Lord Govindaji. The temple is in a garden of the palace complex, and when the temple doors were opened, Maharaja Jai Singh in the past could see his beloved Deity from the royal quarters. On the altar are full-sized Deities of Govindaji, a beautiful black marble Deity, and Srimati Radharani.
Appearance of Sri Govinda Dev Ji
Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who is Krishna in the ecstatic mood of Srimati Radharani, appeared in this world to reveal the love of Vrindavana to anyone who would accept it from Him or His descendants. He came to Vrindavana, and there He had a grand and wonderful reunion with His eternal abode. But because His mother asked that He stay in Jagannatha Puri, Lord Caitanya requested Sri Rupa and Sanatana Gosvami’s to excavate and re-establish the lost places of pilgrimage where Lord Sri Krishna had His lila.
After Srila Rupa Gosvami re-established all of the important places where Lord Krishna performed His holy lila, he was still feeling anxiety because of one point. In the scriptures, it is said that Sri Govinda dev was installed in the Deity form in the holy land of Vrindavana. Srila Rupa Gosvami looked throughout all of Vrindavana very extensively and studied many books, desperately looking for the Govinda deity knowing that it was Lord Caitanya’s desire to install Govinda dev. But he could not find the Deity of Govinda dev anywhere. He even searched through the houses of the Vrajavasis, but he could not find Sri Govinda. So his heart was feeling great sorrow. Such an incredible quality! We do not even do a thousand things, but we become proud. He did thousands of things and endeavoured with all his life and soul, but he was unable to fulfil just one particular instruction, and that made him miserable.
One day he sat on the bank of the holy river Yamuna under a tree, and a very charming Vrajavasi boy approached him. This boy was beautiful, calm and quiet, and he asked Rupa Gosvami why he was looking so sad. Srila Rupa Gosvamis heart was extremely attracted to this Vrajavasi. He was very much enchanted by the boys demeanour, by his characteristics, and by his incredible beauty He developed complete trust in this little child, and poured out his heart. Rupa Gosvami explained, “I cannot fathom the whereabouts of Govinda dev.” The boy smiled and said, “Do not be sad. Let your anxiety go away, because I know where Govinda dev is residing. Nearby, there is a hill called Gomati hill. In this holy place, a Surabhi cow comes and every afternoon willingly lets her milk down. Sri Govinda dev keeps Himself hiding under the ground of this holy spot. Come, I will show you.”
Then the all-attractive Vrajavasi boy personally led Srila Rupa Gosvami to that holy location, and then he suddenly disappeared. When the child disappeared, Rupa Gosvami could understand within his heart of hearts, “The boy was Govinda dev Himself. Krishna appeared to me, but I am so ignorant, so fallen, that I did not recognize my Lord. When He came before me, I did not offer Him any respect, nor did I perform any worship.” Srila Rupa Gosvami fell to the ground unconscious in ecstatic love.
After a long time he came to his external consciousness, and his eyes filled with tears as he cried with great feelings of ecstatic emotion. Then he recalled the desire of the Lord. He told the Vrajavasis that Sri Govinda dev is under the ground in this place. Very soon, a whole crowd of these devotees gathered and then they began to dig. Suddenly a divine voice spoke from the sky; it was Lord Balarama. He explained to the Vrajavasis exactly where to dig and gave his profuse blessings upon them to reveal Govinda dev to the world. With great care and attention they dug, and finally from the earth they discovered the transcendental form of Sri Govinda dev, who was more beautiful than millions and millions of Kandarpas or Cupids. When Govinda dev was discovered everyone looked upon Him with great love, and they all began to chant Sri Govinda dev ki jai!”
The Vrajavasis made a small temple for Govinda dev and offered everything to Him, and thus Rupa Gosvamis desire was fulfilled. When Rupa Gosvami first began the puja of Govinda dev, demigods like Brahma disguised themselves as human beings and came to the earth to make their offerings to Sri Govinda. Rupa Gosvami was so happy that he immediately wrote a letter to Lord Sri Caitanya in Jagannatha Puri to explain that he has found Govinda ji.
Appearance of Srimati Vrindadevi
On another night, Srila Rupa Gosvami had a dream. In this dream, Vrindadevi, an expansion of Srimati Radharani and the transcendental coordinator of all of the wonderful arrangements for the pastimes of Sri Sri Radha and Krishna, appeared to Rupa Gosvami. She told him the place where her Deity was hidden underground at Brahma kunda. Rupa Gosvami understood that Lord Caitanya was instructing him to excavate that place and find the Deity. He approached the Vrajavasis, and on the banks of Brahma kunda, the Deity of Vrindadevi, whose beauty was undesirable, was revealed. Srila Rupa Gosvami installed the Deity of Vrindadevi in the same temple as Govinda dev. He was very satisfied. Then he sent a letter to Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, explaining how Govinda Dev had revealed Himself to him.
Kashishwar Pandita’s Gaura Govinda Deity
Kashishwar Pandita was a disciple of Srila Ishwara Puri, the spiritual master of Lord Caitanya. Kashishwar Pandita, along with Govinda, was the personal servant of Srila Ishwara Puri. As lshwara Puri was leaving the world, he ordered Govinda and Kashishwar to render personal service to Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu. After Lord Caitanya returned from His south Indian tour, the two of them arrived. They fell at the lotus feet of the Lord and informed Him that they were meant to be His servants. But Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu felt very ashamed, because they were His god-brothers and personal servants of His own spiritual master. How could he receive service from them? Therefore, He enquired from Sri Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya, who replied,“The order of the spiritual master is all-powerful and it must be carried out, above and beyond other forms of social etiquettes. They have been ordered by their Guru Maharaja to serve You.”So Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu accepted them as His personal servants. Kashishwar Pandita was very strong in his physical condition, and when Lord Caitanya would dance ecstatically, he would personally hold the crowds back to facilitate the Lord to beautifully dance in ecstatic love. As the Lord would walk through the crowds, he would also arrange a pathway by which the Lord would not be disturbed. He was also in charge of the distribution of prasadam by the arrangement of Lord Caitanya.
One day in Gambhira Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was talking to His devotees. He said, “I have not heard from Rupa or Sanatana for a long time; I wonder why?” And right when He said that, a messenger who had walked all the way from Vrindavana came in and said, “O Lord! I have a message from Rupa Gosvami.” Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu heard in this letter Rupa Gosvami sharing his joy that Govinda dev had once again manifested to deliver the material world with His all-attractive mercy. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was very happy. He was overwhelmed with ecstasy. He could not control His love when He heard this news. Then He took Kashishwar Pandita to a private place and instructed him to go to Vrindavana and assist in the worship of Lord Govinda.
Kashishwar began to lament. How could he live without the personal association of Sri Gaurasundar? He lamented piteously. Gauranga Mahaprabhu, understanding his heart, gave Him a beautiful Deity of Himself of the name Gaura Govinda. This was a Deity of Lord Krishna in which Lord Sri Caitanya had personally manifested. Lord Caitanya told Kashishwar how to worship this Deity: Whenever you worship this Deity, you will see Me and you will feel My presence. Whenever you offer Him food, you will see Him eating. You should worship Him in great love. Then Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu embraced Kashishwar Pandita and sent him to Vrindavana.
This is a very important story because by the power of the love of Kashishwar, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, for the first time, came to the western provinces of India in the Deity form. Kashishwar travelled to Vrindavana and placed the Deity of Gaura Govinda on the right side of Sri Govinda dev. He dedicated the rest of his life to serve these two Deities. Not far away from the Govinda dev temple are 64 samadhis of great Gaudiya, Vaishnava saints, and amongst them, one of the primary samadhis is that of Kashishwar Pandita - the personal associate of Caitanya Mahaprabhu and servant of Rupa Gosvami and Radha Govinda.
Building the Temple of Govinda Dev Ji
Lord Caitanya instructed Raghunath Bhatta Gosvami to go to Vrindavana and to live as one of the Gosvamis. In the spirit of the servant of the servant, Raghunath Bhatta Gosvami assisted Rupa Gosvami in his service to Radha Govinda dev. He had made for Him a beautiful flute and earrings shaped like sharks. He was an excellent cook and would cook for Govinda Dev and singSrimad-Bhagavatam for the Gosvamis. After some time, Raja Man Singh, who was a disciple of Srila Raghunath Bhatta Gosvami and also a general in the army of king Akbar, built the most beautiful temple in all of North India - the Govinda Dev Mandir. The Govinda Dev Mandir is the most spectacular work of devotional art that the eyes can behold. There Radha Govinda Dev were worshipped with great love by all of the residents of Vrindavana. It became the principal temple in all of Vrindavana.
Appearance of Srimati Radharani
Sri Madan Mohan and Sri Govindaji appeared alone, without the Deities of Srimati Radharani. The son of Maharaja Prataparudra, Purushottam Jana, who lived in Sri Jagannatha Puri dhama, very much wanted that Govinda dev and Madan Mohan be worshiped with Srimati Radharani. So he sent two beautiful Deities of Sri Radhika to Vrindavana with many devotees. But both of the Deities were installed with Madan Mohan - one of them as Srimati Radharani and the other as Srimati Lalita Sakhi.
When Purushottam Jana heard this news, he was very, very joyful, but he also wanted to send the Deity of Radharani for Govinda dev. However, despite many attempts, for a long time he could not acquire such a Deity. So he was feeling very sad. Then one night while he was sleeping, Sri Radharani appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘In the Jagannatha temple, the Deity of Lakshmi that is being worshipped as the consort of Jagannatha is actually Myself, but nobody knows this. You should take that Deity and send it to Vrindavana to be worshipped with Govinda dev. Upon hearing this, Purushottam Jana, in a great rush, ran to Chakravera, the Jagannatha temple, and there he saw the beautiful Deity of Lakshmi Devi who revealed Herself as Sri Radharani.
There is a wonderful story of this Deity. It is explained that long before this incident, Srimati Radharani came from Vrindavana to Utkala or Orissa, to a village named Radhanagar. There was a brahmana there, who was a very pure devotee from South India. His name was Brihad Bhanu. He worshipped this form of Srimati Radharani. His love was so pure that he served Sri Radharani just like his own daughter, but a million times over. No one can comprehend the extent of his devotion. Even a second that went by without the vision of Sri Radharani was unbearably painful for him. In this way, he spent his life in pure unalloyed devotion. Then he became older and after some years left his body and returned to Goloka Vrindavana.
The king of Orissa of that time, upon hearing this story, went from Jagannatha Puri to Radhanagar to see this blessed Deity of Sri Radharani. While he was there, he was wondering what to do with the Deity? There was no one to worship Her. Then Sri Radharani appeared to him in a dream and said, “You should take Me to the Jagannatha temple and worship Me there.” Therefore, She was brought to the Jagannatha temple. But as the years went by, people began to think that She was Lakshmi Devi, the Goddess of Fortune, and they began to worship Her as such. To reciprocate with that devotion. Srimati Radharani manifested the form of the Supreme Goddess of Fortune - Lakshmi Thakurani.
Purushottam Jana, upon hearing Srimati Radharani’s order to bring Her to Vrindavana, made a wonderful arrangement to very carefully send Her there with an entourage of devotees. The word spread throughout all of Orissa that Radharani was going to Vrindavana. When She arrived in Vrindavana, all of the Vrajavasis and the Gosvamis were jubilant, so joyful, They installed Her on the left side of Sri Govinda Dev. There was a wonderful, grand ceremony of the installation of Srimati Radharani and Sri Govinda dev.
Present Home of Sri Sri Radha Govinda
After some generations, the great-grandson of Akbar, Aurangzeb, a very demoniac person, was ruling India. One day, from his capital near Agra, he saw what appeared to be a star in the sky that was shining brighter than all others. A minister told him that the star was in fact a ghee lamp on top of the seven-storeyed temple of Sri Govinda dev, which had a flame that burnt 24 hours a day. Aurangzeb was so envious upon hearing that a Hindu temple could have such grandeur that he sent his armies to dismantle the temple. That very day, Jai Singh II was visiting the royal court at Agra. When he heard that Aurangzeb was going to destroy the temple of Govindaji, the temple his grandfather had built for Rupa Gosvami, he became overwhelmed with disgust and anger. Immediately Jai Singh set out for Vrindavana with a plan to save Govindaji. He knew he would be unable to save the temple, but at least he could rescue the Deity. On arriving in Vrindavana, Jai Singh warned the people, who then fled the town. Jai Singh next carefully removed Govindaji from the splendour of His temple and, in great haste to avoid Aurangzeb's advancing army, transported Govindaji to his well-fortified capital in the desert hills of Rajasthan.
When Aurangzeb and his army reached the Govindaji temple, he was furious to find that the Deity was gone and the townspeople had been alerted. Still, with hundreds of war elephants and thousands of men, he began to bring down the mammoth Govindaji temple, story by story, until only four stores remained. All of a sudden, the ground of Vrindavana began to shake violently. Aurangzeb's men were terrified and ran for their lives, never to return. Although Aurangzeb wanted to kill Jai Singh for disrupting his plans, he was now old and faced more pressing problems within his empire. He soon died.
Meanwhile, Jai Singh also arranged the principal Deities of the Gosvamis of Vraja to be brought to Jaipur for protection. So Govinda dev, Madan Mohan, Radha Damodara, Radha Vinod, Radha Vrindavanchandra, Radha Gopinath, Radha Madhava, and several other Deities came to Jaipur. Jai Singh and his forefathers were all great devotees of the Deities of Vrindavana. They were all very serious and dedicated Vaishnavas and were very, very close to and surrendered to the teachings and mercy of the six Gosvamis and their followers.
Radha Govinda dev, Radha Madan Mohan, Radha Damodar, Radha Gopinath and Radha Vinod all came to this great city. Then Raja Jai Singh built big, big walls around the city and the city became known as Jaipur - The City of Victory. Right in the grounds of his palace, in the most prominent place, the king installed Govinda dev. Govinda dev was personally the kings Lord and master. He arranged the whole kingdom to be centred around the Deity of Sri Govindaji. From his room, the king could see the beautiful darshan of Radha Govinda. Since that time Govinda dev has been in Jaipur, and is being worshiped by the descendants of the original disciples of Srila Rupa Gosvami.
Present Home of Srimati Vrindadevi
It is explained that just after Govindaji appeared to Rupa Gosvami, he had a dream where Vrindadevi explained to him that she was under the ground on the banks of Brahma kunda. The Vrindadevi Deity was also installed in the Govinda dev temple. So while these Deities of Vrindavana were on caravan, secretly being brought to Jaipur, on the way they stopped for one night in Kamyavan. The next day when they were to proceed ahead, the cart on which Vrindadevi was resting would not move. She revealed to her pujari, “Govinda dev is the Lord of the entire universe, but my abode is Vrindavana and I cannot leave it.” So to this very day the original Deity of Sri Vrindadevi resides in Sri Kamyavan.
Entrance to Sri Govinda Dev Ji Temple in Jaipur
Massive courtyard of Sri Govinda Dev Ji Temple
Sri Govinda Dev Ji, beloved Deities of Srila Rupa Gosvami
Lotus face of Sri Govinda Dev Ji
Lotus feet of Sri Govinda Dev Ji
Transcendentalists at Sri Govinda Dev Ji Temple
Palace of Maharaja Jai Singh II in front of Sri Govinda Dev Ji Temple. Jai Singh was great Vaishnava devotee of Sri Govinda Dev Ji.
Live darshan of Sri Govinda Dev Ji from Jaipur: www.govinddevji.net/live.htm
Sri Govinda Dev Temple in Vrindavana
Raja Man Singh, who was a disciple of Srila Raghunath Bhatta Gosvami and also a general in the army of king Akbar, built the most beautiful temple in all of north India - the Govinda Dev Mandir. The Govinda Dev Mandir is the most spectacular work of devotional art that the eyes can behold. There Radha Govinda Dev were worshipped with great love by all of the residents of Vrindavana. It became the principal temple in all of Vrindavana.
2. Sri Gopinath Ji Temple
of Srila Madhu Pandita Gosvami
Sri Gopinath Ji in Jaipur
(Useful information: This temple is located in the Topkhanadesh area of Jaipur by Chandpol Bazaar. If you are on Tripoliya Bazaar Road, you go west until you get to Gangori Bazaar Road. Tripoliya Bazaar Road is the main road, right next to the inner wall. Take right turn and go down a few streets and then take left turn and go about a half-km down the road. The temple is on the left.)
Sri Gopinath Ji are the Deities worshiped by Srila Madhu Pandita Gosvami, disciple of Paramananda Bhattacarya and discovered at Vamsivata in Vrindavana by Paramananda Bhattacarya, the disciple of Gadadhara Pandita. Vajranabha originally installed Gopinatha in Vrindavana. Sri Gopinath Ji were brought to Jaipur from Vrindavana when the Muslims raided Vrindavana. Gopinatha exactly resembles Lord Krishna from the shoulders down to the waist. Sri Gopinath Ji temple has beautiful carved silver doors and gorgeous paintings on the walls.The worship of Gopinath was later handed over to the great acarya Sri Madhu Pandita, an intimate disciple of Gadadhar Pandita, the incarnation of Srimati Radharani in Lord Caitanya’s lila. Sri Madhu Pandita was also an intimate loving associate of the six Gosvamis of Vrindavana. It is explained that when Madhu Pandita saw the beautiful form of Sri Gopinath, he dedicated his life and soul, his everything, to the service and pleasure of His lotus feet. It was through Madhu Pandita that the beautiful temple was built for Sri Radha Gopinath in Vrindavana Dhama. On the ceiling of the temple are paintings of the rasa-lila. A unique embroidered tulasi-bead jacket and tulasi japa beads, both of which belonged to Madhu Pandita, are displayed in the courtyard.
Appearance of Sri Gopinath Ji
During the full-moon night of the Sharad season, Lord Sri Krishna, desiring to enjoy His most intimate loving exchanges with His dear most devotees, the gopis of Vrindavana, stood on the holy Vamsivat tree on the bank of the sacred river Yamuna and played upon His blessed flute. The sweet sound of the 5th note of His flute permeated all of Vraja-dhama, and when it entered from the ears into the hearts of the gopis, they detached themselves utterly from all of the social conceptions of this world. Hearing the sweetness of the transcendental vibration of His celebrated flute, all the gopis would leave whatever occupational duties they were engaged in. Whether it be feeding their children, whether it be feeding their families, whether it be sleeping, whether it be cleaning, whether it be milking the cows -they simply left everything, because they knew that the Lord of their life, Sri Gopinath, was calling them. Their husbands and their in-laws forbade them to go. But when the flute of Gopinath calls upon the gopis, thegopis must obey. That is the nature of the quality of their pure love. So it was under this greatVamsivat tree that the gopis would meet in the intimate forest of Vrindavana with Sri Gopinath.
sriman rasa-rasarambhi vamsi-vata-tata-sthitah
karsan venu-svanair gopir gopinathah sriye ‘stunah
“Sri Srila Gopinath, who originated the transcendental mellow of the rasa dance, stands on the shore in Vamsivat and attracts the attention of the cowherd damsels with the sound of His celebrated flute. May they all confer upon us their benediction.” This is considered by Srila Sukadeva Gosvami and all of the great acaryas as the ultimate intensity of pure surrender for the pleasure of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Lord of the gopis, Sri Gopinath.
Three Deities are very important to all Gaudiya Vaishnavas. Madan Mohan is the Sambandha Deity; it is through Sri Madan Mohan that we establish our relationship with Krishna. Govinda Dev is the Abhidheya Deity; it is through worship of Lord Govinda Dev that we actively engage in devotional activities based on complete attachment to the lotus feet of Krishna. And through this divine process of devotional service, at the ultimate stage of purification, we worship the Prayojana Deity or Sri Gopinath, with pure unalloyed love or prema bhakti.
The beautiful form of Gopinath was carved by the great demigod Vishwakarma on the request of the great-grandson of Sri Krishna, Vajranabha. It is said that the face of this particular Deity of Sri Krishna is identical to the face of Krishna Himself. This Gopinath Deity was lost for a long period of time. But one great devotee of the name Paramananda Bhattacharya rediscovered Sri Gopinath ji. One day Gopinath appeared in his dream and told him, “You will find my beautiful form under the vamsivat tree” So Sri Paramananda Bhattacharya went there and Sri Gopinath was revealed to him.
In another version, it is explained that once the river Yamuna over-flooded, and the original Vamsivat tree was uprooted. So Paramananda Bhattacharya took one branch from, the Vamsivat tree and planted it so that another would grow. It was at that time that he found the original beautiful Deity of Sri Gopinath. The worship of Gopinath was later handed over to the great acarya Sri Madhu Pandita, an intimate disciple of Gadadhar Pandita, the incarnation of Srimati Radharani in Lord Caitanya’s lila. Sri Madhu Pandita was also an intimate loving associate of the six Gosvamis of Vrindavana. It is explained that when Madhu Pandita saw the beautiful form of Sri Gopinath, he dedicated his life and soul, his everything, to the service and pleasure of His lotus feet. It was through Madhu Pandita that the beautiful temple was built for Sri Radha Gopinath in Vrindavana dhama.
Appearance of Srimati Radharani
Neither of these Deities appeared with Srimati Radharani visible. The devotees understand that Srimati Radharani is the empress of the heart of Govinda, Gopinath and Madan Mohan. So the Gosvamis would worship Srimati Radharani, the supreme object of all their veneration, within the heart of the Deity. In this way, they worshiped Radha Govinda, Radha Madan Mohan and Radha Gopinath.
After the Gaura Purnima festival in Kheturigram that Srinivas Acharya, Shyamananda Gosvami, and Narottama das Thakur arranged, Srimati Jahnava Devi came to Vrindavana with many of her intimate associates. She travelled throughout the land of Vrindavana. One of the very special features of her visit was that in her motherly love she went to each of the temples of the Gosvamis, cooked for the Deities, and offered gifts to the Deities. Whatever she had she utilized to bring ornaments and clothes from Bengal to offer to Radha Govinda, Radha Gopinath, Radha Madan Mohan, Radha Ramana and Radha Vinod. Just before she left Vrindavana, she went to all the sacred temples to offer her love and devotion and take permission to depart. When she was at Radha Gopinath temple, she was thinking, “The Deity of Srimati Radharani is very, very small in comparison to Gopinath. Perhaps it would look more appropriate if She was taller.” But then she thought, “Who am I to say how They should match.” So she did not say a single word to anyone. Then the arati started and after theshayan darshan, she went back to her place that was arranged by Jiva Gosvami.
That night Lord Gopinath appeared in her dream in His most beautiful and charming form playing upon His flute and spoke, ‘What you were thinking is correct. Radharani is too small for Me. You should have another Deity made of Srimati Radharani that is harmonious with My size, and you should put Her on My left and this little Radharani Deity on My right side.’ Then the little form of Srimati Radharani standing beside Gopinath said, ‘Whatever My beloved Gopinath is speaking is true. Know for certain that this is also My desire. So without hesitation prepare another Deity of Srimati Radharani to stand to the left of Sri Gopinath ji.’
Upon hearing this, Jahnava Devi woke up from her sleep and was very, very joyful. She bid farewell to all the devotees in Vrindavana, and then returned to Bengal to the village called Kardaha. There she summoned one very great devotee sculptor, Nayanana, and requested him to carve a new Deity of Radharani. In fact, Jahnava Devi herself personally designed the Deity.
Srimati Radharani’s Journey to Vrindavana
Jahnava Devi is Ananga Manjari, the younger sister of Radharani. She organized and oversaw the making of the Deity. When Srimati Radharani’s Deity was complete, then Jahnava Devi bought a boat, made nice arrangements, and placed Srimati Radharani in the boat. Traveling on the boat with Srimati Radharani were many of the greatest associates of Nityananda Prabhu. Among them was Parmeshwar Thakur, who was one of the eight gopas - eight principal cowherd boy associates of Lord Nityanandä Prabhu. Jahnava Devi gave Parmeshwar Thakur 700 gold coins and beautiful silk garments and ornaments for all the Deities in Vrindavana. As the boat was about to depart from Kardaha on the banks of the Ganga to sail all the way to Vrindavana, Jahnava Devi offered a prayer to Gopinath, “O Gopinath! I pray, please let Your Srimati Radharani have a very quick and easy journey to Vrindavana so as to be united with You without any difficulties.” And with this prayer the Deity began Her journey.
Jahnava Devi wrote a letter to Srinivas Acharya, Sri Narottama Das Thakur and others that after the stop in Navadvipa, the boat would stop for a day in Katwa. Katwa is the place where Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu accepted the order of sannyasa. When Srinivas Acharya received this news, he and his associates - the great king Birhambhir, who was formerly the leader of dacoits, Sri Narottama das Thakur, Ramachandra Kaviraj, Gokulananda, and many other greatmaha bhagavats, went to Katwa to greet Srimati Radharani and Her devotees. When the boat arrived, Parmeshwar Thakur invited the devotees onto the boat and offered them the opportunity to have the beautiful darshan of Sri Radharani. When Srinivas Acharya saw the beautiful form of Srimati Radharani, his heart was overwhelmed with love. He offered a hundred gold coins, beautiful ornaments, jewels, and silken clothes for the Deity. Then Parmeshwar invited all the other devotees onto the boat. In this way, all the Vaishnavas had a wonderful festival in Katwa, and began the beautiful sankirtan of the holy names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare | Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare ||Throughout the night they chanted and danced, in the beautiful kirtan of the Maha-mantra, and songs of glorification of Lord Caitanya and Radha Krishna. When King Birhambhir saw the loving spirit of all the Vaishnavas dealings with one another, his heart was overwhelmed with ecstatic joy.
The next morning the boat departed and later arrived in Vrindavana without any difficulty. When that boat arrived in Vrindavana all the great devotees of Vraja were there to greet Srimati Radharani and Her associates. With very, very grateful hearts, they were again and again thanking Srimati Jahnava Devi for making this wonderful arrangement for the pleasure of Sri Gopinath. Then there was a grand festival, a wonderful celebration, where Srimati Radharani was installed on the left side of Sri Gopinath ji.
Shortly after this Sri Jahnava Devi, being anxious to see her beloved Lord Sri Gopinath, came again to Vrindavana. When she arrived in Vrindavana, she immediately rushed to the temple of Sri Sri Radha Gopinath, and there with great love she beheld the beautiful darshan of Sri Gopinath ji, standing in His three-fold bending form, playing upon His flute, with Srimati Radharani standing both on His left side as well as on His right side. After offering prayers to the Lord, she offered wonderful gifts that she had brought from Gaudadesh for the pleasure of the Deities. Then she cooked a wonderful feast with her own loving hands for Sri Sri Radha Gopinath, after which she went to visit Sri Madan Mohan and Sri Govindaji - the Deities that are the life and soul of the Gaudiya Vaishnavas.
Our acaryas always declare that when she left this world, Jahnava Devi, who is Ananga Manjari, entered into the smaller Deity of Srimati Radharani. And now she is worshipped as Jahnava Ananga Manjari.
Raghunath das Gosvami - the Prayojana Acharya
Raghunath das Gosvami wrote a beautiful verse describing the very essence of Gaudiya Vaishnava Siddhanta - to be the, servant of the servant of the servant of Srimati Radharani, the dear most beloved of Lord Krishna. In this verse, Srila Raghunath das Gosvami is praying to Srimati Radharani in separation, begging Her to award him the ultimate benediction of Her service. He is praying, “Through all my life I have waited for Your mercy and I am growing impatient, old and tired. Srimati Radharani, I cannot wait any longer without Your love and Your mercy. I will give up my life; I cannot tolerate the separation any more. Without Your mercy, I do not even care to live in Vrindavana. Even Vrindavana has no appeal or charm to me without connection to Your loving service. I do not even care for Krishna, the all-attractive Supreme Lord. I have no desire even for Krishna without service to You.” In this prayer of separation, Sri Raghunath das Gosvami revealed the perfection of Prayojana. Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has taught that the supreme of all devotees are the gopis, and the ultimate perfection of our life is service in separation to Lord Krishna, which is obtained through the mercy and grace of Srimati Radharani. Srila Raghunath das Gosvami did not want Vrindavana or even Krishna. He just wanted to please the associates of Srimati Radharani and assist them in their service to Lord Krishna.
Sri Sri Radha Gopinath - the Prayojana Vigraha
Srila Krsnadas Kaviraj Gosvami explains that the Gopinath Deity is presiding over the highest principle of Prayojana jnana. Prayojana is the ultimate perfection of ones spiritual development. By the grace of Srimati Radharani, one is blessed with ecstatic love in the mood of the servants of the gopis of Vrindavana. This is the ultimate stage of purified consciousness in the spiritual world as taught by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Through prayer and worship of Radha Gopinath, we are gradually given the highest perfection of pure love.
Prayers to Sri Sri Radha Gopinath
Let us all pray at the lotus feet of Sri Radha Gopinath that we can all eternally aspire to be the servant of the servant of the servant. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu prayed: gopir bhartur padkamalayor das das dasanu das.
“I identify Myself only as the servant of the servant of the servant of the lotus feet of Lord Sri Krishna, the maintainer of the gopis.” Gopi bhartur and Gopinath mean the same thing - the Lord of the gopis. It was Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s eternal desire to be the servant of the servant of the servant of the Lord of the gopis - Sri Gopinath. So let us worship Sri Sri Radha Gopinath ji and Sri Ananga Manjari, Jahnava Devi, with this prayer. Please bless us that we may also follow in the footsteps of the most glorious residents of Vrindavana, giving up all desires, all activities, save and except those which give great pleasure to Radha Gopinath ji and Their devotees.
Sri Gopinath Ji Temple at Jaipur
Their Lordships Sri Gopinath Ji
Transcendentalists at Sri Gopinath Temple
Srila Madhu Pandit Gosvami’s Tulsi Coat and Cap at Sri Gopinath Ji Temple.
According to Sri Caitanya Ganodesh Dipika, Srila Madhu Pandit Gosvami was known in Vraja lila as Mandali Sakhi.
Srila Madhu Pandit Gosvami’s Tulsi Coat and Cap
Devotees performing Sankirtana at Sri Gopinath Ji Temple
Their Lordships Sri Gopinath Ji at Sri Vrindavana Dhama
Sri Sri Radha Gopinath Ji Temple at Sri Vrindavana Dhama
3. Sri Damodar Ji Temple
of Srila Jiva Gosvami
(Useful information: This temple is difficult to find as locals don’t know its location. Location is: Choti choppad and Badi Choppad ke bich ki red light par. Please ask auto-rickshaw to take you to this location.)
Sri Damodar Ji in Jaipur
Appearance of Sri Damodar Ji
Srila Jiva Goswami is said to be Vilas Manjari, one of the intimate associates in the divine pastimes of Sri Sri Radha and Krishna in the spiritual world of Vrindavana. Many of those confidential associates descended along with Radha Krishna in their most munificent incarnation, as Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
Srila Rupa Gosvami loved Jiva Gosvami so dearly. With his own hands, Rupa Gosvami carved a Deity and named that Deity: Radha Damodar. In the year 1542, Rupa Gosvami personally installed that Deity and worshiped Him. Then he entrusted the care of Sri Radha Damodar to Jiva Gosvami. Srila Jiva Gosvami worshiped Radha Damodar with such deep love and attachment. The Bhakti Ratnakar explains a few incidences of the nature of Jiva Gosvamis love. Lord Damodar was so pleased with Jiva Gosvami’s devotion that He would speak to Jiva Gosvami! He would say, “Please give Me bhoga, I am hungry.” We just understand the time of offering of the bhoga by the clock, knowing that Krishna is expecting it. But for Jiva Gosvami, because of his love, Damodar would actually call him when it was coming close to the time of offering. I guess there were not any clocks in those days. The devotees would understand quite precisely when offerings were to be made. But Damodar would say “I am hungry, Jiva. I am hungry; please feed Me bhoga.” And Jiva Gosvami would personally prepare the bhoga, and offer with his own hands with love and devotion. By Damodar’s mercy, Jiva Gosvami would see Damodar eating the bhoga with his own eyes.
One time, Jiva Gosvami heard a flute playing, and then Damodar called out and said, “Jiva! Come; I am playing the flute for you.” And Jiva Gosvami came to the altar and there he saw Damodar dancing! The Deity of Damodar was dancing - His three fold bending form playing upon His flute beautiful, sweet music for the pleasure of His devotee. Jiva Gosvami saw the beautiful form of Damodar, whose eyes were like lotus flowers. His head was decorated with a peacock feather, a garland of beautiful forest flowers was around His neck, and lovely ornaments decorated His body. He was dancing and singing, playing sweet, sweet melodies on His flute for His devotee. Jiva Gosvami fell unconscious in ecstasy, and when he came back to consciousness, he could only cry in ecstatic love. These were some of the pastimes that Sri Jiva Gosvami performed with Sri Damodar, who is worshiped here.
It is believed that once Emperor Akbar, when he came to Vrindavana dhama, had the darshan of Jiva Gosvami, and the darshan of Jiva Gosvami transformed his heart. He was given such a vision of appreciation of Vrindavana that under Jiva Gosvami’s instruction he, as well as many of his generals and ministers, became very active in developing Vrindavana as a very great holy place. They helped in the construction of Radha Govindaji Mandir, Radha Damodar Mandir, Jugalkishor Mandir and Radha Gopinath Mandir.
In Jaipur there are two sets of deities on the main altar. The smaller deity is Srila Jiva Gosvami’s original Radha Damodar deity from Vrindavana. To the left of the deities is a Govardhan-sila said to have been worshiped by Srila Sanatana Gosvami. Srila Rupa Gosvami inspired by a dream made deity of Sri Radha-Damodar and handed over to his dear disciple and nephew Jiva Gosvami for service and worship. On an altar, left of the main one, are deities of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha and Prahlada Maharaja. You have to look closely to see Prahlada Maharaja. There are beautiful paintings of Krishna’s pastimes in this temple.
Sri Damodar Ji Temple at Jaipur
Sri Damodar Ji
There are two sets of deities on the main altar. The smaller deity is Srila Jiva Gosvami’s original Radha Damodar deity from Vrindavana. To the left of the deities is a Govardhana-sila said to have been worshiped by Srila Sanatana Gosvami. The smaller deity is Srila Jiva Gosvami’s original Radha Damodar deity from Vrindavana. Srila Rupa Gosvami inspired by a dream made deity of Sri Radha-Damodar and handed over to his dear disciple and nephew Jiva Gosvami for service and worship.
On an altar, left of the main one, are deities of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha and Prahlada Maharaja. You have to look closely to see Prahlada Maharaja.
Sri Sad-Bhuja Gauranga Mahaprabhu (Six-handed form of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu)
Sri Sri Radha Damodara Temple in Vrindavana
Sri Sri Radha Vrindavancandra Ji of Srila Krsna Das Kaviraj Gosvami (the author of Sri Caitanya Caritamrta), Sri Sri Radha Madhava Ji of Srila Jayadeva Gosvami, Sri Sri Radha Damodar of Srila Jiva Gosvami, Sri Sri Radha Chailachikan Ji of Srila Bhurgarbha Gosvami and Giriraj Charan Sila given by Lord Sri Krishna Himself to Srila Sanatana Gosvami.
Srila Prabhupada’s room at Sri Sri Radha Damodara Temple in Vrindavana
4. Sri Vinod Ji Temple
of Srila Lokanath Dasa Gosvami
Sri Vinod Ji, beloved Deity of Srila Lokanath Dasa Gosvami in Jaipur
(Useful information: This temple is difficult to find as locals don’t know its location. Temple is very close (100 meter walkable distance) from Sri Damodara Ji temple i.e. Choti Choppad and Badi Choppad ke bich ki red light par. Please ask auto-rickshaw to take you to this location. It is on shop no. 295. Climb on the staircases and you will reach the temple.)
Sri Lokanatha Dasa Gosvami was a personal associate of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and a great devotee of the Lord. He was a resident of a village named Talakhadi in the district of Yasohara (Jessore), in Bengal. Previously he lived in Kacanapada. His father’s name was Padmanabha, and his only sibling was a younger brother named Pragalbha. Following the orders of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Sri Lokanatha went to Vrindavana to live. He established a temple named Gokulananda. Srila Narottama dasa Thakura selected Lokanatha dasa Gosvamito be his spiritual master, and Narottama dasa Thakura was his only disciple. Because Lokanatha dasa Gosvami did not want his name mentioned in the Caitanya-Caritamrta, we do not often see it in this celebrated book. On the E.B.R. Railroad, the Yasohara station is located in Bangladesh. From the railway station one has to go by bus to the village of Sonakhali and from there to Khejura. From there one has to walk or, during the rainy season, go by boat to the village of Talakhadi. In this village there are still descendants of Lokanatha Gosvami’s younger brother. (ref. Sri Caitanya Caritamrta Madha-lila, chapter 18, verse 49)
Srila Lokanath Dasa Gosvami
In the small village of Talagari in the district of Jessore in Bengal, one of the eternal associates of Sri Krishna, one of the most blessed manjaris appeared. His name was Lokanath. Lokanath Gosvami was born to Sita and Padmanabha Chakravarty, who were very dear and favourite devotees of Sri Advaita Acharya. They were both great and unalloyed devotees of Sri Krishna and Gauranga Mahaprabhu. From Lokanath Gosvami’s earliest childhood, he had no interest or inclination for any of the pleasures of this material world. He was utterly renounced. At a very young age he left his
home and went to Sri Navadvipa dhama to seek shelter at the lotus feet of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Lord Gauranga showered His most intimate blessings upon Lokanath Dasa Gosvami.
One day Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu approached him. Lokanath was feeling a great pain in his heart because he was anticipating that Sri Gauranga would soon renounce all of His ties in this world and accept the very, very austere position of a sannyasi. Lokanath could not bear the thought. He prayed to the Lord, “My Lord, I cannot tolerate the thought of Your beautiful blackish hair falling to the ground. It is a thought worse than death itself. I cannot tolerate the mere idea of Your beautiful golden clothing falling to the ground and Your acceptance of the drab saffron colour of a renunciate.”
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu told Lokanath, “Three days from today, I will leave my wife, I will leave my mother, I will leave all of human society, and I will go to Katwa to accept sannyasa from Keshav Bharati Maharaja. After that I will roam through Sri Vrindavana dhama, which has always been My heart’s desire. Lokanath, I want you to go to Vrindavana immediately and make arrangements for My arrival.”
Lokanath Gosvami was heartbroken to hear that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was going to takesannyasa, and he would have to suffer separation from the Lord. He was accustomed to being with Gauranga Mahap
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