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Town of Gokula

This town is about 6km southeast of Mathura. This is an important place for followers of Vallabhacarya because he stayed here for a while. Vitthalanatha, the son of Vallabha established the town of Gokula.

In the Padma Purana the forest of Mahavana is called Gokula, but since the establishment of this town in the late 16th century, the locals refer to this place as Gokula. What may be considered to be Old Gokula, where there is a major Krishna temple, is usually referred to as Mahavana. According to Narayana Bhatt the places that he describes as being Gokula are mainly found in the place now known as Mahavana (Old Gokula). Gaudiya Vaishnavas often just visit Old Gokula and do not visit this place.

There were seven temples (havelis) constructed here for the seven Deities that Vitthalanatha gave to his seven sons. They are Gokulanath, Mathuranatha, Gokulchandrama, Madana-Mohan, Dwarkanath, Vittalanath, and Brajbhushan. These temples still exist and are controlled by the descendants of his sons. The original Deity of Gokulanath is still in the original temple. Most of the other original Deities have been moved to other places in Gujarat or Rajasthan. The location of the original Deities is listed below.

There are many other temples in town, mainly built by the followers of Vallabha. Most of them are Krishna temples but there is one dedicated to Balarama and also the Mahadeva Siva Temple.

The Nanda Kila is a popular temple that overlooks the Yamuna. In this temple are Deities of Krishna, Nanda Maharaja, Mother Yasoda, Yogamaya, the sister of Krishna, Balarama, and Balarama’s wife Revati. There are dioramas in this temple depicting pastimes of Gokula-lila. The Dwarkanath Temple is located to your left as you walk out of this temple.

There are several ghats in Gokula. Considered to be the most important one is Govinda Ghata, which is where Vallabha sat and is where he initiated his first disciple. Kola or Koila Ghata is the southernmost ghat. More upriver is Uttaleswar Ghata, which is said to be the place where Vasudeva came out of the river carrying Krishna.

Important festivals celebrated here are Annakuta (on the first day of Kartika Shukla) and Dussera (on the tenth day of Ashvina Shukla). As it can be difficult to find many of the temples here, it could be a good idea to hire a guide for Rs 100.

Important Vallabhacarya Sampradaya Temples
1. Nathaji in Nathdwar, Rajasthan.
2. Dwarkadisha in Kankroli, Rajasthan,
3. Madana-Mohan in Kaman, Rajasthan.
4. Navaitalal in Nathdwar, Rajasthan.
5. Mathuradhish in Kota, Rajasthan.
6. Gokulanath in Gokula.
7. Gokula Chandrama in Kaman, Rajasthan.
8. Balakrishna in Surat, Gujarat.

Copyright ©2001 John Howley and Spiritual Guides