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Govinda Dev in Vrindavana

Govinda Dev Mandir in Vrindavana

Old temple of Radha Govinda is one of the important temples of the holy place of Vrindavana, along with Banke Bihari temple, Nidhi Van, Sri Rang ji temple, Shah Ji temple, and the modern ISKCON temple (popularly known as Hare Rama Hare Krishna temple).It is sometimes referred as Govinda Deva temple at Mathura while the actual place is Vrindavana.

It was constructed by Raja Man Singh in 1590, who was inspired to do it after meeting Rupa Gosvami, and this seven-storey temple is an excellent example of medieval Indian architecture.

Front view of current mandir entrance from the top of the stairs at the main access.

Temple is now empty and the replica of Govind Deva is worshiped in the new smaller Govind Deva mandir, located behind the original temple in Vrindavan. However the original Govind Deva is worshiped in Jaipur. However, there is a record of using the original Govinda Dev temple for social or spiritual functions, such as a meeting of the Mahamandala, that held its second meeting in it in March 1889.

The building is well-known and stands out as its shaped like the cathedrals of Europe, built of red sandstone, however it was noted as falling in considerable decay. Some even wrongly suggested that it was a European architect, who in some 16th century was commissioned to put up a temple resembling an architectural cast of a European church with nave, transepts and choir, which are traditional parts of a cathedral building. King Akbar himself is believed to have had donated the red sandstone for its construction.

While the temple is in ruins a Sanskrit inscription on the temple confirming that it was build by Man Singh Deva, a descendant of Prithu Rao and is dated Samvat 1647 (1591 of Common Era). The foundation of this temple along with Madana Mohana temple in Vrindavana is often ascribed to the brothers Rupa and Sanatana Goswami.

The building is located in the very centre of town, on the main Mathura-Vrindavan road and is locally called "Govindaji".

Its construction is believed to be connected with the notable pilgrimage by Akbar in 1573, and it is one of four temples that were erected in honor of his visit to the holy site.It was said to have cost ten million rupees and several thousand men were working for five full years to complete it. It was erected in an era when the when the liberal policy of Akbar encouraged construction of splendid temples, is in the form of a Greek cross with the length and breadth of the nave being one hundred feet. In this shrine the limitations of the floor area, if compared with those of larger Christian churches of the Western world, is made up for by the wealth of decoration which has been lavished on every inch of the surface.

Its also believed that the first smaller shrine to the deity of Govinda was constructed by disciples of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu from Bengal, of which no trace remains, and they also became the first priests of this Govind Deva temple.

History and background

In his early 19th century Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics James Hastings points out that out of as many as one thousand temples within the limits of the Vrindavana town, four are of a special interest, with the fist listing going to this temple of Govinda Deva. Hastings translates this name of Krishna as a 'god of cattle', a literal meaning of Sanskrit name Govinda.

The temple is considered to be Man Singh's best known project, and the temple is the largest one constructed in north India since the twelfth century. The interior vaults and pillars were inspired by those used in Fatehpur Sikri and other imperial sites, but in fact were technologically more innovative then Singh's own buildings, and it has a sculptured lotus flower weighing several tons decorates the main hall ceiling. while still reflecting the Islamicate styles used in contemporary imperial Mughal architecture. It was fitted with an altar of marble, silver and gold.

Akbar visited Vrindavan in 1573 and according to tradition its believed that Hindu rajas accompanying him obtained his permission to build temples in these parts, and thus temples of Gopinath and Govind Deva were constructed by them.

Next is the Radha-Govind Deva temple that is another of the seven major temples of Vrindavana.

Worshipable deity

Main articles: Govinda and Radha

See also: Radha Krishna

Sri Krishna´s grandson Vajranabha had three deities carved according the descriptions of Krishna given by Parikshit´s mother Uttara. When they were finished, Uttara confirmed that Govinda Deva had the same lotus face as Krishna, Madanmohan had the same strong and shapely legs, and Gopinath had the same broad shoulders and chest. Thousands of years later the same deity of Gopinath was rediscovered at Vamsi Vat in Vrindavan by Gadadhar Pandit´s disciple Paramananda Bhattacharya. Later the seva was taken over by Sri Madhu Pandit, whose samadhi is located in back of the temple premises- Amit Narula

In the history that surrounds the appearance of this Krishnas icon of Govinda Deva in the Chaitanyaite tradition, cows who shed streams of milk on the ground beneath which the images lay hiding as of a significance. In the similar way Madhavendra Puri has discovered the icon of Gopala, later known as Sri Nathji in the Vallabhite sect. Early evidence of such worship can be found or as early as the 4th century BC according to evidence in Megasthenes and in the Arthasastra of Kautilya, when Vāsudeva (as the son of Vasudeva was worshiped as Govinda in a strongly monotheistic format, where the supreme Being was perfect, eternal and full of grace.

According to Klaus Klostermaier, Govinda is an early stage in the historical process resulting in contemporary Krishnaism, following the original cult of Krishna-Vasudeva that may date back to several centuries before the Common Era.

Vrindavan and Mathura are considered to be the centers of Radha-Krishna worship where Govindadev is one of the main temples where Radha and Krishna are worshiped in their murti forms.

Worship of Govinda Dev, as form of Radha Krishna, is linked to the common root of personalism in the understanding of worship. This Caitanyaite Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition in worship and mission is fiercely "personalistic," proclaiming the supremacy of Govinda with the identification of Caitanya as Radha-Krishna (the name Radha-Govinda is also used sometimes referring to the same persons), the reality and eternality of individual selves, and a method for approaching the absolute reality and the Deity as a person first and foremost. Jiva Goswami in his Priti Sandarbha states that each of the Gopis exhibits a different level of intensity of passion, among which Radha's is the greatest. Yasastilaka Champukavya (AD 959) make references to Radha and Govinda well before Jayadeva's Gita Govinda. There are elaborate references to Radha in Brahma vaivarta and Padma Puranas.

One of the middle ages Kings of Manipur, Gareeb Nivaz ruling from 1709 to 1748 and he was initiated into Krishnaism and practiced this religion for nearly twenty years.Since that period of time Manipuri Vaishnavas do not worship Krishna alone, but Radha-Krishna. With the spread of the worship of Krishna and Radha, it becomes the dominant form in the Manipur region and a central shrine is dedicated to Radha Govindaji. While original deity of this Chaitanya Vaishnava traidtion is Govindaji installed by Rupa Goswami in Vraja. In Caitanya Vaishnavism metaphysical status and Radha-worship is considered to be established by the follower of Rupa, Krsnadasa in his Caitanya Caritamrta where he represents the doctrine that prevailed among the Vrindavan Caitanyaites following Caitanya's demise in 1533. It is believed that Govinda desired to experience fully what it is like to love himself as Radha does has appeared as Caitanya Mahaprabhu. And what Radha (appearing as Caitanya) does in her longing for Govinda is to chant his names.

Associated saints

See also: Six Goswamis of Vrindavana

trace remains, and also became the first priests of the Govind Deva temple. (It Mathura and Vrindavan 259

Insight Guides Delhi, Jaipur, Agra: India's Golden Triangle (Insight City Guides-Foreign)by Insight Guides (Paperback - Jan 1998)

When Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī was living in Vṛndāvana, there were not very many temples. At that time the three principal temples were those of Madana-mohana, Govindajī and Gopīnātha. (CC Adi intro)

bhakti pracāriyā sarva-tīrtha prakāśila madana-gopāla-govindera sevā pracārila

After going to Vṛndāvana, the brothers preached devotional service and discovered many places of pilgrimage. They specifically initiated the service of Madana-mohana and Govindajī. Madhya 1.32

Rūpa Gosvāmī constructed the Govindajī temple. CC Adi 7 .164

Receiving orders from the above authorities and the Vaiṣṇavas of Vṛndāvana, especially from Haridāsa, the priest of Govindajī, I, Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī, have tried to describe one small particle of one drop of one wave of the ocean of the pastimes of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Madhya 2.95

The Vṛndāvana Deities of Madana-mohana with Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, Govinda with Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, and Gopīnātha with Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī are the life and soul of the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavas. Antya 20.142–143

Rūpa Gosvāmī was offered a favor by Mahārāja Mānsiṅgh, the commander-in-chief of Emperor Akhbar, and Rūpa Gosvāmī instructed him to construct a large temple for Govindajī, which cost vast amounts of money.NoD7

Baladeva Vidyābhūṣana, with the order of Govindaji at Jaipur, he wrote the commentary on Brahma-sūtra. That name is Govinda-bhāṣya. So the Gauḍīya-Brahmā Sampradāya, they have got also commentary on Brahma-sūtra.

Temple in Rajastan

Govind Dev Ji Temple is one amongst the major tourist attractions of Jaipur. The Temple represents the royal past of Jaipur. The Temple is dedicated to Govind Dev Ji (Other name of Lord Krishna). Govind Devji Temple of Jaipur is situated in the City Palace complex, between the Chandra Mahal and Badal Mahal. Govind Dev Ji is the principal deity of Amber's Kachawaha Dynasty. In the earlier times, the idol of the lord used to reside in the temple of Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh.

According to a legend, Govind Dev Ji appeared in the dream of Raja Sawai Jai Singh and asked him to bring his idol from Vrindavan to Jaipur. As a consequence, Raja Sawai Jai Singh brought the idol and placed in the City Palace complex of Jaipur. After the sad demise of Jai Singh, many successors acquired the throne, but Raja Man Singh took the initiative to build the temple in 1890.

The beautiful image of Radha-Krishna doesn't let people to take off their eyes from the lovely view. Different 'Aartis' and 'Bhog' are offered to the deity at seven different times of the day. Every time, when the idols are revealed to the devotees, they are clothed in a different manner. The Devotees, who come here to get the glance or 'Darshan' of the deities, reverberates the temple with the pious phrase "Jai Govind".

A large number of tourists and devotees visit this temple of special importance. Janmashtmi, the birthday of Lord Krishna, is a special event and is celebrated with full enthusiasm. Govind Dev Ji Temple is a sacred place of the Hindus. The Temple has also become a tourist attraction in the contemporary times.

page 115: "... Khana (Drum House). Patron deity: In this square is Sri Govinda Deva Temple. The Jaipur rulers were devotees of Krishna, and Govinda

[1] Insight Guide Rajasthan (Insight Guides Rajasthan)by Samuel Israel and Toby Sinclair (Paperback - Jan 1998)

page 284: "... garden, which housed the temple of the ruler's personal deity, Govinda Deva. ..." The Art and Architecture of Islam, 1250-1800 (The Yale University Press Pelican Histor)by Sheila S. Blair and Jonathan M. Bloom (Paperback - Sep 25, 1996)

on Page 162:

"... of use and despite the neglect of recent years, it retains much of its original charm and functionality. As Sawai Jai Singh wanted to live near the temple of his personal deity Govinda Deva, .. on Page 165:

"... The temple of Govinda Deva in the centre is visited by devotees chanting hymns in praise of Lord Krishna. On festive days like Holi, Divali,

on Page 5: "... of Akbar (Akbarabad - the Agra of Jahangir) and of Shahjahan (Shahjahanabad). Jaipur's walled city was laid out by Raja Jai Singh 11 of Amber, below the existing hill fort, and the city of the plain has now spread far beyond Jai on Page 6: "... Jai Singh, likewise, must have bowed to the astrologers, but he is remembered for his fascination with *astronomy. He built observatories in .

on Page 242: "... style, loosely referred to as the Jat style of architecture. Important amongst the several temples of the town are the Govind Deva and Radha Balabha.

Insight Guides Delhi, Jaipur, Agra: India's Golden Triangle (Insight City Guides-Foreign)by Insight Guides (Paperback - Jan 1998)

Contemporary worship

page 327: "Holi in Manipur is celebrated with colour, and then extracting money from them. The Shri Govindaji Temple that is the main temple in Imphal is the venue Insider. World Party: The Rough Guide to the World's Best Festivalsby Rough Guides (Paperback - Dec 4, 2006)

Restoration of the Govindaji in Vrindavana

In his Ph. D. in Sociology Gopal Krishna Agrawal states: British foreign administration repaired many old temples with an example that of Govindaji mandir in Vrindavana. The temple was build in 1573 but was partially destroyed by Auranazeb. There is a belief that during this attack, when few stories remained, all of a sudden the ground began to shake violently and Aurangzeb's men were terrified and ran for their lives, never to return. The British administration from 1873-77 repaired main structure of the temple.

p. 160: As examples of "blended" Hindu buildings Cole illustrated the Govind Deva temple at Brindaban, built by Man Singh in 1592, the chattri of Suraj Mal (1788), and the mid-eighteenth-century pavilions at Dig An Imperial Vision: Indian Architecture and Britain's Rajby Thomas R. Metcalf (Paperback - Jul 8, 2002)

The largest temple, that of Govind Deva, was in course of being restored by the Indian Government. page 198:Our Visit to Hindostán, Kashmir, and Ladakhby Harriet Georgiana Maria Murray-Aynsley (Paperback - Jun 17, 2004)

Renovations of Manipur temple

Dharna against defiling temple E-Pao.net - Jul 11, 2004 Imphal, July 10: As a mark of protest against the recent intrusion and defiling of the sacred Shri Govindaji Temple by miscreants and State Govt's failure to provide armed security personnel, members of the Sanatan Dharma Raksha Samiti Manipur (SDRSM) will stage a dharna near the gate of Maharaja Bodhachandra College tomorrow.

SDRSM is an apex body of 28 relieious bodies of the State including ISKCON, Gita Mandal, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, RSS, Kabui Dharma Sabha, Hanuman Sangha.