Nestled amidst the divine ambiance of Vrindavan, the Amiya Nimai Temple stands as a testament to the unwavering devotion and relentless efforts of the followers of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (Amiya Nimai). The sacred sanctuary known as the Amiya Nimai Temple is a place of profound devotion, dedicated to the worship of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, affectionately referred to as ‘Amiya Nimai’ – a divine embodiment of boundless love and compassion. Within the temple’s tranquil confines, devotees find solace as they submerge themselves in the divine aura and timeless teachings of this cherished spiritual luminary. From its humble beginnings to its establishment as a prominent spiritual center, the Amiya Nimai Temple has been a beacon of love, devotion, and the timeless legacy of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Its captivating journey, intertwined with the lives of devoted souls, portrays a tale of faith, resilience, and the quest for spiritual enlightenment. In this article, we embark on a captivating exploration of the Amiya Nimai Temple, uncovering the profound history, spiritual significance, and the devotion-filled legacy that has shaped its existence. Join us as we traverse the sacred grounds and delve into the heartwarming stories that surround this revered abode of divine grace.
Amazing History of Sri Amiya Nimai
Sri Sarvabhauma Madhusudan Goswami was a devoted follower in the lineage of Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami. His unwavering devotion centered around worshiping Radha Ramanji in the holy town of Vrindavan. Madhusudan Goswami was not only a scholar of nyaya (logic) and Sanskrit grammar, but also a passionate preacher, a catalyst for social reform, and a renowned devotee in his own right. Throughout his lifetime, he embarked on numerous journeys across India, tirelessly disseminating the teachings of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. His spiritual influence extended to many esteemed saints and scholars of his time, including Shishir Kumar Ghosh, Sri Kedarnath Bhaktivinoda Thakur, Sri Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati, Pandit Rasik Mohan Vidyabhushan, Sri Madan Mohan Malaviya, and Sri Haridas Goswami, among others.
Completely dedicated to Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Madhusudan Goswami and his disciples undertook the installation of various deities of Mahaprabhu in different locations. It is believed that Sri Madhusudan’s inspiration played a significant role in motivating Sri Shishir Kumar Ghosh to pen his renowned works, namely, “Sri Amiya Nimai Carita” in Bengali and “Lord Gauranga” in English. Additionally, he was credited with encouraging Sri Krishna Gopal Duggal to write a book in Urdu on Mahaprabhu’s life.
In the sacred city of Nabadwip, Sri Madhusudan acquired an ancient, life-sized deity of Mahaprabhu, which he lovingly named “Sri Amiya Nimai Gauranga Mahaprabhu.” Following his instructions, his disciple Sri Radha Govinda Goswami installed this deity in a temple located in the Bagh Bazar district of Kolkata.
Radha Govinda Goswami hailed from a distinguished Brahmana family, and his ancestors were staunch devotees of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. He earned his livelihood as a highly skilled musician, dedicating all his earnings to the service of Mahaprabhu. Radha Govinda Goswami did not perceive Amiya Nimai as a mere idol but as a living manifestation of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, whom he worshiped with utmost reverence.
As Radha Govinda Goswami advanced in age, he began to worry about the future worship of Amiya Nimai since there was no successor from his family. In a state of helplessness, Goswami Ji beseeched Mahaprabhu one day, “In the future, who will continue to serve you as you deserve?”
That night, Mahaprabhu appeared to him in a dream and reassured him, saying, “Do not worry. Take Me to Vrindavan, where your guru’s son resides.”
Upon receiving this divine command, Sri Radha Govinda Goswami wrote a heartfelt letter to his guru’s son, Sri Krishna Chaitanya Goswami. In the letter, he explained Mahaprabhu’s instruction and earnestly requested, “Please make arrangements to bring Amiya Nimai to Vrindavan.”
Krishna Chaitanya Goswami pondered over the practicality of transporting such a sizable deity to Vrindavan. He wondered where the Lord would be properly seated and how His worship and service would be arranged. Thus, he expressed his apprehensions and limitations to Sri Radha Govinda Goswami. However, Radha Govinda Goswami persisted and sent more letters, sustaining their correspondence for some time.
Eventually, during an evening filled with devotional singing of the Gita Govinda in front of Amiya Nimai, Sri Radha Govinda Goswami peacefully departed from this world. His passing left the local devotees devastated, for they realized that Radha Govinda Goswami had no successor to carry out Mahaprabhu’s order of bringing the deity to Vrindavan.
Due to the absence of a successor, the temple was sealed off by the authorities, and the devotees resorted to performing mental worship and offering bhoga (offering of food) in front of the locked gate. After a short while, the police unlocked the gate and conducted a search of the temple. To their surprise, they discovered the exchange of letters between Radha Govinda Goswami and Krishna Chaitanya Goswami regarding the transfer of Amiya Nimai to Vrindavan. They also found a will that bestowed the responsibility of serving Amiya Nimai upon Sri Krishna Chaitanya Goswami. Armed with this evidence, the police wrote to Krishna Chaitanya Goswami, requesting him to bring Amiya Nimai to Vrindavan. With no alternative, Goswami Ji traveled to Kolkata, where he engaged in discussions with local devotees.
In November 1936, a group of devotees, led by Sri Krishna Chaitanya Goswami and accompanied by Sri Ramdas Baba Ji Maharaja of Path Bari and others, transported Amiya Nimai from Kolkata to Hathras in a reserved coach of the Toofan train. Amiya Nimai resided in Hathras for four days, during which time the devotees engaged in heartfelt worship, including bhajans (devotional songs) and Hari-katha (discourses on Lord Hari). Following this, the deity was carefully transported to Vrindavan by truck.
It is worth noting that when Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu initially arrived in Vrindavan, it was on the full moon day of the month of Kartika. Coincidentally, on the same day, November 26, 1926, the full moon day of Kartika, the deity of Sri Amiya Nimai Mahaprabhu arrived in Vrindavan. The Vaishnavas of Vrindavan gathered together, offering an unprecedented welcome with joyous kirtan (devotional chanting). Initially, due to the unavailability of a suitable location for installing such a large deity, Amiya Nimai was temporarily worshiped outside the main gate of the Radha Raman Temple in an area known as the rasa-mandala. There, Amiya Nimai resided for a duration of four to five years.
Eventually, Sri Shah K.S Gupta, the current caretaker of Sri Shah Ji’s Temple in Vrindavan, and his grandmother Srimati Ram Devi constructed two spacious rooms on the banks of the Yamuna, within what was formerly the garden of Shah Ji’s temple, also known as Jugal Bagicha. The deity was then shifted to this new abode. For approximately sixteen years, Amiya Nimai remained in this location.
As time passed, Sri Krishna Chaitanya Goswami felt an ardent desire for Mahaprabhu to have a dedicated temple where His worship could be conducted regularly and smoothly. Goswami Ji owned a property in Gopinath Bazar, Vrindavan, and around 1954, construction of a temple for Amiya Nimai commenced on that site. The Amrita Bazar Patrika publication group in Kolkata provided significant assistance and resources for the temple’s construction. Finally, in 1956, the temple was completed, and Amiya Nimai was ceremoniously installed amidst grand celebrations.
How to Reach
Reaching the Amiya Nimai Temple, situated near Gopinath Bazar in Vrindavan, is a relatively straightforward endeavor. Here are the directions to guide you on your pilgrimage to this sacred place:
- By Air:
If you prefer to travel by air, the nearest major airport is the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi. From there, you can hire a taxi or take a pre-booked car to Vrindavan, which is approximately 150 kilometers away. The journey from the airport to Vrindavan takes around 3-4 hours, depending on the traffic conditions.
- By Train:
Vrindavan has its own railway station called “Vrindavan Junction” (station code: BDB). Several trains connect Vrindavan to major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and others. Upon arriving at Vrindavan Junction, you can take a local auto-rickshaw or a cycle-rickshaw to Gopinath Bazar, where the Amiya Nimai Temple is located. The travel time from the station to the temple is usually around 10-15 minutes.
- By Road:
Vrindavan is well-connected to various cities in India through a network of national highways. If you prefer to travel by road, you can either drive your own vehicle or hire a taxi. From Delhi, you can take the Yamuna Expressway, which leads to Mathura. From Mathura, follow the signs to Vrindavan. Once you reach Vrindavan, navigate your way to Gopinath Bazar, where the temple is situated.
As you enter Gopinath Bazar, ask the locals or seek directions to the Amiya Nimai Temple. The temple is a prominent landmark in the area and is known to many. Alternatively, you can also rely on GPS navigation or smartphone maps for precise directions.