Nestled in the heart of the Banshi vat region, amidst the gentle murmur of the holy river Yamuna, in the sacred town of Vrindavan, stands the magnificent Gopeshwar Mahadev Temple. This revered shrine, dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva, is a place of profound spiritual significance and divine beauty. What sets it apart from other temples in Vrindavan is its unique portrayal of Lord Shiva in the form of a Gopi – a beloved cowherd maiden of Lord Krishna. It is this distinctive depiction that has earned the temple its name – Gopeshwar Mahadev – a testament to the deep connection between Lord Shiva and the divine play of Lord Krishna in Vrindavan. With its awe-inspiring architecture, serene surroundings, and profound spiritual energy, the Gopeshwar Mahadev Temple is a place where devotees can immerse themselves in the boundless love and grace of the Divine. As visitors enter the temple’s hallowed halls, they are greeted by the gentle flicker of candlelight and the fragrant aroma of incense, creating a serene and peaceful atmosphere that invites contemplation and spiritual reflection. For those seeking solace and inspiration amidst the tumultuous currents of life, the Gopeshwar Mahadeva temple is a sanctuary of beauty, devotion, and divine love.
History of Gopeshwar Mahadeva
Once, deep in meditation on the sacred Mount Kailash, Lord Shiva was enraptured by the sweet melodies of Krishna’s divine flute. Mesmerized, He entered into a state of samadhi and followed the transcendental sound until it led Him to the mystical land of Vrindavan. Here, Lord Krishna was preparing to start the Maha rasa with His beloved gopis. Lord Shiva, intensely desiring to join the dance, made His way to the entrance of the rasa-sthali but was stopped by Yogamaya. She informed Him that only Krishna and gopis were allowed to enter and advised Him to seek the form of a Vraja Gopi (damsel of Vrindavan).
Determined to join the dance, Lord Shiva approached Vrinda Devi, who instructed Him to take a dip in the waters of the sacred Manasarovar. Emerging from the lake with the form of a stunning gopi, Lord Shiva was taken by Vrinda Devi to a corner of the rasa-sthali (place of Rasa) where He prayed to Sri Sri Radha Krishna for prema-bhakti.
As the rasa began, Lord Krishna danced gracefully with all the gopis, including Lord Shiva in His gopi guise. However, as the dance continued, Lord Krishna sensed that something was amiss and asked Lalita Devi to investigate. She searched high and low but found no man among the gopis, only a gopi with three eyes. Bringing this gopi to Lord Krishna, He laughed heartily and addressed Him as “Gopeshwar” before offering Him the post of rasa dwaar-paal (protector of Rasa arena) and granting Him the blessing that all gopis would offer respect and seek His blessing to achieve gopi bhava.
From that moment on, ‘Gopeshwar Mahadeva’ has been worshiped in Vrindavan as a Shiva linga in the mornings, and in the evenings, the linga is adorned with beautiful gopi decorations. This enchanting tale of devotion and transformation is a testament to the wondrous power of love and the boundless mercy of Krishna.
Gopeshwar Mahadeva and Sanatana Goswami
Nestled amidst the lush forests and sacred temples of the tranquil town of Vrindavana, stood the hallowed Sri Madana-Mohana temple. Here, in the twilight of his years, the venerable Srila Sanatana Goswami resided, his heart ablaze with an unwavering devotion to the divine. Every day, without fail, he would set forth on a journey to the Sri Gopeshwar Mahadeva temple, braving the challenges of advancing age and the difficulties of the journey, unrelenting in his pursuit of divine grace.
One fateful night, as Sanatana Goswami lay in peaceful slumber, Gopeshwar Mahadeva, appeared before him in a dream, beseeching him to relinquish his daily pilgrimage and ease his burden. But Sanatana Goswami could not be swayed, for the deity was the very embodiment of his love and adoration. Gopeshwar Mahadeva, moved by Sanatana Goswami’s unyielding devotion, granted him a boon, promising to manifest in Bankhandi, a place midway between the temple and Sanatana Goswami’s abode.
As the first rays of dawn illuminated the sky, Sanatana Goswami set forth on his daily pilgrimage, his heart beating with anticipation and reverence. And lo, as he arrived at Bankhandi, his eyes beheld the enchanting form of Gopeshwar Mahadeva, radiating a transcendent aura of love and compassion. Overwhelmed with joy and transcendental ecstasy, Sanatana Goswami basked in the divine presence of the deity, his soul enraptured in a state of blissful union. From that day on, he made a daily pilgrimage to Bankhandi Mahadeva, his heart filled with an unquenchable fire of devotion, his soul forever illuminated by the radiant love of Gopeshwar Mahadeva.
How to Reach
To reach Gopeshwar Mahadeva temple in Vrindavan, one must first navigate through the winding streets of the sacred town, passing by the holy temples and lush gardens. The temple is situated near Vamshi Vata, a revered landmark in Vrindavan, and on the bank of the Yamuna River, which adds to the serene and tranquil atmosphere of the area. One can easily reach Vrindavan by road or by train, with the nearest railway station being Mathura Junction. From there, one can hire a taxi or take a local bus to reach Vrindavan. Once in Vrindavan, the temple is easily accessible by foot or by cycle rickshaw.