Radha Vallabh Temple, Vrindavan
The central deity of the temple is Krishna who is worshiped under the name of Shri Radha Vallabh which means the consort of Radha. Alongside Krishna, a crown is placed which signifies the presence of goddess Radha.
History
Old Radhavallabh Temple, which is presently known as Hith Mandir in Vrindavan was constructed in 1585 A.D by Sundardas Bhatnagar, a disciple of Shri Vanachandra, son of Hith Harivansh Mahaprabhu. At that time, Sundardas Bhatnagar of Deoband was under the employment of Abdul Rahim Khankhana, the chief head at Akbar's court. Through Abdul Rahim Khankhana, Sundardas Bhatnagar not only got the Royal permission to use Red sandstone for the construction of temple, which was used only for construction of imperial buildings, royal palaces and forts at that time but also got monetary grant for this temple from Akbar. Descendants of Sundardas Bhatnagar at Deoband still have the temple documents with them. It is said that King Maan Singh first decided to construct this temple. But on hearing a legend that whosoever construct this temple would die within a year, he backed out. Though later the legend did come true. Sundardas Bhatnagar who constructed the temple died within a year, soon after the construction of the temple was complete.
Legend
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According to popular legend, the deity Radhavallabh was never made by any sculptor. The deity was given to a devotee named Atmadev by Shiva himself because of his arduous devotion and prayers. The Hith Harivansh Mahaprabhu lived 31 years in place called Devavan. In the 32nd year of his age, he left for Vrindavan. On his way to Vrindavan, he was ordered by goddess Radha herself to marry the daughters of Atmadev and took the idol of Radha Vallabhji to Vrindavan with them. As ordered, Hith Harivansh Mahaprabhu married the daughters of Atmadev and Atmadev gifted the idol of Radhavallabh ji to his daughters and Harivansh Mahaprabhu on their marriage.
Architecture
Shri Radha Vallabh Temple was situated near Gotam Nagar on the cliff near Bankey Bihari temple. The stands out due to its striking architecture and magnificence decor. Constructed in 1585, the Radha Vallabh temple is one of the oldest and long-living temples, majestically built using red sandstones at a time when they were used for building only high palaces, imperial buildings and royal forts. The wall of the temple is 10 feet thick and are pierced in 2 stages.
Festivals
The Radha Vallabh temple is famous for its colorful and vibrant festivals. The major festivals of the temple are -
- Hitotsav - It is a 11 days long festival commemorating the founder of Radha-vallabha tradition, Hith Harivansh Mahaprabhu.
- Radhashtami - It is a 9 days long grand festival which celebrated the birth anniversary of Goddess Radha, the guru (mentor) of Radha-vallabha tradition.
- Krishna Janmashtami - The festival celebrates the birth anniversary of Krishna, the consort of Radha.
- Vyahlu Utsav - This festival celebrates the wedding ceremony of Radha Krishna. This festival is locally known as Byahovala of the Lord and is also called Manoratha. The temple is flocked with devotees on such ceremony and becomes the center of prime attraction for such different rituals.
The other annual festivals of the temple include - Holi, Diwali, Sharad Purnima, Dussehra, Jhulan Utsav, Phool Banglas (Floral Archades), Sanjhi Utsav and Patotsava.
Timings
The time zone (UTC+05:30) observed through India by the priest.
Morning - 05:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Evening - 06:00 pm to 09:00 pm.
Nearby attractions
- Bankey Bihari Temple
- Nidhivan, Vrindavan
- Radha Raman Temple
- Radha Damodar temple, Vrindavan
- Radha Madan Mohan Temple, Vrindavan
See also
- Radha Kund
- Radha Krishna
- Kusum Sarovar
- Radha Vallabh Sampradaya
- Radha Rani Temple
- Hith Harivansha Mahaprabhu
- Radha Krishna Vivah Sthali, Bhandirvan
References
- ^ Shinde, Kiran A.; Olsen, Daniel H. (30 September 2020). Religious Tourism and the Environment. CABI. ISBN 978-1-78924-160-0.
- ^ "Radha Vallabh Mandir – Brijwale". Retrieved 2 September 2021.
- ^ "Chapter 7. Cross-Cultural Dynamics of Mystical Emotions in Vrindaban". The Hare Krishnas in India. Princeton University Press. 14 July 2014. pp. 176–198. doi:10.1515/9781400859894.176. ISBN 978-1-4008-5989-4.
- ^ "History of Radhavallabh Sampradaya and Sect | Glories of Radhavallabh Temple". www.radhavallabh.com. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
- ^ Williams, Richard David (1 October 2020). "Dreams, songs and letters: Sectarian networks and musical archives in eighteenth-century North India". The Indian Economic & Social History Review. 57 (4): 583–604. doi:10.1177/0019464620948723. ISSN 0019-4646. S2CID 225124146.
- ^ "Shri Radhavallabh Mandir History, Images, Timing, Vrindavan Temples". Shri Mathura Ji. 3 December 2018. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
- ^ "Radha Vallabh Mandir, Vrindavan Mathura | Timings, History, Images". www.holidify.com. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
- ^ "Shri Radhavallabh Mandir - Varshik Utsav". www.radhavallabhmandir.com. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
- ^ "Sri Radhavallabh Vrindavan Temple Mathura (Timings, History, Entry Fee, Images, Aarti, Location & Phone) - Mathura Tourism 2021". mathuratourism.in. Retrieved 2 September 2021.