Radha Gopinatha Temple
Vrndavan, Braj Mandal, Uttar Pradesh (UP) India

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The Deity of Gopinatha was discovered at Vamsivata by Paramananda Bhattacarya, who entrusted the Deity’s worship to Madhu Pandita. On the altar in this temple are Deities of Gopinatha, Srimati Radharani and Her sister, Ananga Manjari. Madhu Pandita arranged to have this temple built. Paramananda Bhattacarya and Madhu Pandita were disciples of Gadadhara Pandita, one of the most intimate devotees of Lord Caitanya. Madhu Pandita would read Srimad Bhagavatam every day.

Vajranabha, the great-grandson of Krishna, originally installed Gopinathji in Vrindavana. When the Muslims raided Vrindavana in 1670, the original Gopinatha Deity was taken to Jaipur. The Gopinatha Deity in Jaipur is said to exactly resemble Lord Krishna, from the shoulders down to the waist.

There is a story about this temple that Srimati Jahnava Devi, the wife of Nityananda, came to Vrindavana, and she came to the evening aratis at the Radha Gopinatha Temple. Suddenly, Gopinatha jumped off the altar and took Jahnava Devi onto the altar and closed the curtains. When the assembled Vaishnavas opened the curtain, Jahnava Devi was gone and Gopinatha was standing on the altar.

Later the deity of Ananga Manjari, the younger sister of Radharani was installed on the altar here. Jahnava Devi is Ananga Manjari in Krishna’s pastimes. Normally Radharani is to the left of Sri Krishna. In this temple Radharani is to the right of Krishna, and Ananga Manjari is placed on the left. Deities of Lalita and Visakha are also on the altar, along with a Deity of Lord Caitanya.

Sri Rayasila Shekhavata, who was given a large amount of land by Akbar for defeating the Afghans, built the original Gopinatha temple. It is believed that this temple may have been built before the Govindaji and Madana-Mohan temples. This temple was broken and defiled by Aurangzeb’s soldiers. Sri Nanda Kumar Bose of Bengal constructed a new temple for Gopinatha.
“Sri Srila Gopinatha, who originated the transcendental mellow of the rasa dance, stands on the shore in Vamsivata and attracts the attention of the cowherd damsels with the sound of His celebrated flute. May They all confer upon us Their benediction” (Caitanya Caritamrita Adi 1.17).

Some special festivals at this temple are Jahnava Utsava, which celebrates the appearance of Jahnava Devi, and Ban Behar Besh. Ban Behar Besh is celebrated on the next day of Jhulan Utsava. Jhulan Utsava continues from the third day of the bright moon, till the full moon Purnima in the month of Sravana (July-Aug).

How To Get Here This temple is located between the Radha-Raman temple and Gopinath Bazaar. From the Radha-Raman temple you make a left and another quick left around the corner. You then walk 50m (150 ft) until you reach the path that leads to the temple. You make a left and walk about 100m (330 ft) until you reach the doorway to the courtyard of the temple. You enter the doorway and go straight until you see a doorway in the right corner. You then go through this doorway. Directly to your right is the old temple of Radha Gopinath. On the left is the new temple.

Temple Timings Darshan is from 7.30 to 11.45 am and 4.30 to 8.30 pm. Mangala arati is at 5 am.

Copyright ©2001 John Howley and Spiritual Guides