Another day – another journey but since last night most of us were tired so am I. Past few days continuously rigorous travel. Today we decided to tour Vrindavan city – Madan Mohan temple was our first visit.
Madan Mohan mandir
Beautiful isn’t it. The temple was built by Multan businessman Ramdas. Before the temple existence Sanatan Goswami used to pray, worship Madan Mohan ji at this location. Madan Mohan ji was a 5 years old child discovered near Yamuna river, Mathura brought up by Onkarnath Chaubey. One day during regular walks for alms Sanatan Goswami ji reached Onkarnath Chaubey’s house and saw the child while playing with his friends turn himself into a deity to hide. The day he realized he is none other than God himself.
The temple was destroyed by Mughal ruler Aurangzeb. He demolished the dome of the temple, took the precious stone present above but somehow deity was saved as Maharaja of Jaipur shifted Govind ji, Gopinath ji, Madan Mohan ji deities to Jaipur. Later Madan Mohan ji deity was shifted to Karauli, Rajasthan. It is said The Maharaja of Jaipur donated Madan Mohan ji deity to her daughter during marriage ceremony. What we now-a-days watch within the temple is the replica of the original deity. During Sawan month as well as Kartik month there is huge rush of devotees to offer prayers and offerings.
We offer prayers and walk towards near-by Shri Radha Ras Bihari Asta Sakhi temple.
Shri Radha Ras Bihari Asta Sakhi temple
King Ramnavmi Chakravarty from Hidampur, Kolkatta left all his empire and visited Vrindavan to offer prayers to sing bhajans of/for Lord Krishna as he heard Lord Krishna till-date visit Vrindavan to perform Raas. One day he saw Radha within his dreams requesting him to make a temple within Vrindavan along with Eight Sakhis. The King immediately went to Jaipur to meet sculptures to make Eight Sakhi deities along with Radha Krishna deity which he later installed within the temple. The temple approx. 350 years old.
Within the temple we saw eight Sakhis of Radha – Lalita, Vishakha, Indulekha, Champaklata, Su Devi, Rang Devi, Chitra, Tung Devi. It was never seen before within any temple we visited till-date and Yes, of-course knowledge enhanced. Prayers!!!
And towards another temple -
The temple is taken care by Swami Haridas younger brother Swami Jagannath ji descendants. Swami Haridas was the Guru of Tansen and Baiju Bawra. Lord Krishna himself presented the image of self to Swami Haridas currently installed within the temple.
Prayers!!!
Seva Kunj
Pilu trees – Yes, which I guess only found within Vrindavan and surrounding areas. We now at Seva Kunj also known as Nikunj Van – full of Pilu trees and said to be resting place of Lord Krishna and Radha. I can imagine how Vrindavan was years ago the moment I enter Seva Kunj. It is said and believed Lord Krishna at this very location offered services to Radha when she was tired. There is a very beautiful Radha temple within Seva Kunj – a must watch. And little further a Well named as Lalita Kund. It is believed during raas-leela(holy dance) when Lalita – one of the friend of Radha felt thirst Lord Krishna with his flute dig the earth for water to quench her thirst. Lalita, Vishakha were the most lovable friends of Radha. It is believed during night hours even today Lord Krishna and Radha visit Seva Kunj and nobody is allowed to be inside the area. Even animals for example monkeys too leave this place at night. Seva Kunj is surrounded by high raised walls from all sides. Recent years Shri Shyamanand Prabhu ji got the Ghunghroo (ankle belt with metallic bells) of Shrimati Radha Rani ji during daily sweeping of the area called as Sohni Sewa*. One day Lord Krishna, Radha appeared – tilaka was done on the forehead of Shri Shyamanand Prabhu ji by Lord Krishna and thus Swami ji had darshan (glimpse of Lord). Sewa Kunj is approx. 5500 years old but was re-discovered by Goswami Shri Hit Harvansh ji in the year 1590.
*( Sohni Sewa – To clean the ground or a location with utmost devotion )
Bolo Radha Rani ki Jai
Next?
Shri Sita Ram mandir
Shri Sita Ram mandir also known as World famous temple for Sava Mann Ke Shaligram.
Shree Ram – a devotee was present narrated the history about the temple as follows:
Shaligram is a pious stone found only at Gandaki river, Nepal. Two Shaligram – one of Sava Mann and another one of Ek Mann is worshiped within the said temple. Sava Mann Shaligram is known as Laxmi Narayan and One Mann as Laxmi Narsingh. Ram Laxman, Krishna Balrama – the name was given by the devotees of Braj to these two pious stones. Earlier it was a small pious stone worshiped by a marwari family within Fatehpur Shekhawati, Sikar, Rajasthan. It is said as there were less opportunities existing within those days at Sikar, Rajasthan the marwari family decided to shift to Hyderabad for business but before moving requested their family Guru to bless them so that there business is successful at Hyderabad. The Guru gave them a small pious stone i.e., Shaligram to worship for the success of their upcoming business. The lady of the house started worshiping Shaligram at Hyderabad but one day the pious stone disappear. She was very sad and started crying. That night Shaligram God appeared within her dream and told her not to worry as he is within the house but wishes to be worship by Tulsi – not available commonly within Hyderabad those days in the year 1723 thus, shift him to Vrindavan where there is lots-n-lots of Tulsi is present. The lady next day found Shaligram within the mouse hole but to dig a hole one has to take permission from the Nizam of the area. Shaligram was found but it suddenly turn into huge – Sava Man – the weight. Upon request from the lady Nizam transferred Shaligram to Vrindavan through his workers which were fishermen. The lady also came along with Shaligram and stayed at Vrindavan forever.
In the year 1823 Jalan family built the temple.
Re.: One Mann Shaligram once a saint was having bath within Gandaki river at Nepal and found the same. He brought One Mann Shaligram to this temple for worship in the year 1728. 1867 the temple was taken by Rangnath temple since then it is run by them.
Sri Sri RadhaShyamSundar mandir
After visiting above all temples we entered Tamaal Kunj along with Swami Ramanand ji.
Tamaal Kunj
Tamaal Kunj is close to Shri Radha Damodar mandir. It is a location for bhajan. Shri Balkrishna ji Maharaj and many other saints used to perform Bhajan at this very location years ago. Since then people visit early morning as well as evening hours to sing bhajan or join people during Bhajan hours. We did the same. Immense happiness and towards Bhakth Shiromani Shri Mirabai mandir.
The journey continues…
yeah! beautiful and big!
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