Shri Radha Gopinath Temple, Vrindavan. Shri Radha Gopinath ji Temple is situated near Vanshi Vat, Vrindavan. The emergence of Shri Gopinath ji took place 1536 A.D. owing an inspirational drive of Shri Madhu Pandit ji. He was the disciple of Shri Gadadhar Pandit ji. Madhu ji lived in Navadweep and was a staunch devotee of Shri Krishna. About 5000 years ago, Brajnabh ji, the great grandson of Shri Krishna established the temples of Shri Madan Mohan ji, Shri Govind dev ji & Shri Gopinath ji on the request of Mata Uttara (daughter in law of the great archer Arjuna) but all of them were demolished in the cataclysm and Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu played an important role in discovering Vrindavan. Madhu pandit ji re-established Gopinath ji’s idol at Vanshi Vat after so many years. It is said that the pectoral portion of Shri Gopinath ji was just like Shri Krishna’s chest. History of Shri Radha Gopinath. Shri Gadadhar pandit’s disciple (Madhu pandit) pre-occupied in the meditation of Shri Krishna all the 24 hours in Navadweep. One day, he heard about the qualities, beauty and activities of Krishna from a devotee. He became restless on hearing the Lord’s grace, and he sat off to Vrindavan. After reaching Vrindavan, he stayed with Shri Parmanand Bhattacharya at Keshi Ghat. But, with a burning desire to have the sight of Shri Krishna in the heart, he roamed about Vrindavan like a lunatic. He fell down to the ground being unconscious while roaming like this. Lord, the savior of devotes couldn’t bear the agony of his devotee and emerged in his own self, Shri Radha Gopinath ji playing the flute. Thus, getting sight of the lord, the elated devotee prayed to the Lord to stay with him forever and not deprive him of his presence. The Lord then, told Madhu pandit that he (Shri Krishna) would always be in the form of Shri Gopinath ji with him and in this Kalyug, all my devotees can see my persona in the form of Shri Gopinath ji. Thus, saying Shri Krishna transformed himself into an idol of Gopinath ji. Shri Radha rani also paired herself with the lord here. In the scripture, Bhakti Ratnakar, Shri Narhari Chakravorty Pad described this incident: “Radhika Saha Gopinather Prakat, Poorvejanailo Vansivater Nikat” Shri Govind dev ji emerged alone in the Goma Tila but Shri Gopinath ji emerged in pair (with Shri Radha rani) at Vanshi Vat, at the same time. Madhu pandit ji served the lord for about 40 years in his hut. Later on, King Raisal Shekhawat, a courtier of Emperor Akbar, constructed the temple with red stone in 1589 A.D. and established Radha Gopinath ji, there. Shri Radhika ji is on the right hand side of the Lord and idol of the left hand side is said to be of Jahnavi Devi, the wife of Shri Nityananda Prabhu. Facts & Incidents Once, Jahnavi Devi came to the Braj region in a pilgrimage, after reaching Vrindavan, she visited Shri Gopinath ji and was spellbound. One day, she dreamt that Shri Gopinath ji was telling her that the idol of Shri Radha rani was very small and told her to make an idol Shri Radha rani of his (Krishna) size. So, Jahnavi Devi placed the big idol of Shri Radha rani on his right side. Great saints like Shri Roop Goswami, Shri Sanatan Goswami, Shri Gopal Bhatt Goswami and Shri Jeev Goswami etc. have praised and serviced Jahnavi Devi. Mata Jahnavi Devi used to cook the oblation of the Lord with her own hands and served it to him daily. One day, Shri Roop Goswami, Shri Sanatan Goswami, Shri Jeev Goswami and their followers were enchanting the Lord’s name, qualities & benevolent activities with emotional obeisance and Mata Jahnavi was performing the Aarti. As, she was about to go after completing the Aarti, Shri Gopinath ji told her by the edge of the clothing and made her sit beside him. At that instant, she turned into an idol and came to rest on the left hand side of Shri Gopinath ji. The devotees are of the opinion that as Mira bai got merged in the idol of Lord Ranchor ji (in Gujarat), Jahnavi Devi too get merged in the idol of Shri Gopinath ji, in the same way. Shri Gopinath ji was shifted to Jaipur during Aurangzeb atrocious perpetration period. As per the divine order, the temple authority built a new temple in the north part of the old temple. The new temple was constructed by Nand kumar Basu, an inhabitant of Kolkata. “Gopinathaavataro Sthanam Mathurayaam Virajitaah, Dashvarshamavasthayam Chatuha Shasthi Kalanvitaha, Dash Vashavatarashcha Gopi Nathabhidhanatah, Raaj Sevabhidhanashcha Lalita Radhyanvitaha” This means that Shri Gopinath ji is in Mathura (Vrindavan) along with Radha & Lalita ji. He is ten years old and is a master of 16 arts. Ceremonies The ceremony concerning Jahnavi Devi is celebrated here, every year, pompously. A special festival is organized every year during Kartik Poornima (Full moon). Tourists from all over the world come here to join the ceremony. The regular seva’s (services) of the Lord, Mangala Aarti, Bhog, Sandhaya Aarti, Sandhaya Bhog, Shayan Aarti etc. are performed in full ritualistic order and obeisance. Special Anusthaan (sacred performances) Being an ancient & sacred place of Lord Krishna, the Anusthaan’s (special pooja / havan performances) like Gopal Sahastranaam, Gopal Yagya, Krishna Janmotsava etc. are being performed here by assigned priests for thousands of people every year and carries very high importance & result orientation. RADHE RADHE When we understand our relationship with God then we all will be happy. It is an essential factor for establishing peace in the world. All happiness in the material world has a beginning and an end, but happiness in Krishna is unlimited, and there is no end. Please accept my humble obeisances All glories to Srila Gurudeva ... All glories to Srila Prabhupada ... Always think of the Lotus Feet of Lord Krishna and you will find no difficulties in executing the tasks allotted to you by Krishna. Chant these names with love and you will feel the ecstasy: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare ... Hare Krishna ... Jay Jagannath ... ~~ Bhakta Sanjay https://facebook/groups/harekrishnaharerama/
Posted on: Sun, 21 Dec 2014 08:36:37 +0000
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