Sri Radharani Mandir, Rawal Gaon in Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh – the birthplace of Sri Radha was our next stop during ‘Braj Chaurasi Kos Yatra‘ which is about 20 approx. km from Vrindavan. We all sat down in front of the temple deity. Pandit Lalit Mohan narrated Katha (story in general):
The one you are watching behind the main deity is Garbhgriha i.e., Janamsthan – The location where Radha appeared. During those years Yamuna River used to flow at this location and on the banks of Jamuna Vrishbhan had a palace. Vrishbhan (with 11 lacs cows) was the biggest King of Braj. There was no girl child of Kirti Ji (wife). Kirti Ji used to bathe in the Yamuna River and on a daily basis, she prayed to the river Yamuna to offer her a girl child. One day during the early morning hours when it was still dark she saw a lotus flower appear and started flowing into the water toward Kirti Ji. The moment the lotus appeared, a bright light appeared all around. She was scared by the new change in the environment. As the flower came near morning Sun appeared and the flower bloomed. Kirti saw a girl child with closed eyes within the flower, and thus Radha was born. It is said Radha’s eyes weren’t open till the age of 11 months and 15 days. After 11 months, and 15 days, Lord Krishna was born. Vasudev took him to Gokul at Nand Baba place due to Kans fear, as it is known, Kans killed a child born by Devki. Nand Baba invited everybody to celebrate Krishna’s birth. Vrishbhan, Kirti were also invited. Lord Krishna was within Palna (bassinet). At that moment, Radha saw Krishna, and she opened her eyes.
Kans entered Gokul by sending a demoness Putna. She ordered Putna to kill all newborn children. Putna created havoc within Gokul. People were frightened. Nand Baba invited kings including Gop Grant, Op Grant, Vrishbhan Ji, and many others, and had a meeting about what to do as Kans is creating havoc within the area. Finally, it was decided to leave. Nand Baba left Gokul and stayed within a mountain which was named Nand Gaon. Vrishbhan said to Kirti dearest friend Nand left Gokul, so what I will do without a friend he too left for a mountain along with Kirti and Radha, and the mountain was named Barsana. Within Braj all these three mountains – Nand Gaon, Govardhan, and Barsana are almost God. These mountains had blessings from Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh that no evil or demon will be able to reach. If tried, evil or demons will turn into stone.
Within Rawal Radha is called Shri Ladli. Within Barsana Radha is called Shri Kishori ji.
There is a Karil tree within the temple area (near Garbhgriha) where the deity of Radha Ji was found by the forefathers (Parmanand Vyas came from Jodhpur, Rajasthan) of the current priest. The best is the current Karil tree is not having any roots and is still green. Raskhan after doing the yatra of Braj visited Rawal and had a darshan of Radha.
(Nand baba was having 9 lacs cows. People having the maximum number of cows were called the richest person during those times)
Very useful information by Pandit Ji. We sat and sang bhajan for a few minutes.
Prayers and we proceed towards another destination.
Temple Timings:
Summer
6 am – 12 Noon
4 pm – 8 pm
Winter
6 am – 12:30 Noon
4 pm – 7 pm