Sri Radha Raman Mandir, Sri Radha Raman Temple

Uttar pradesh, Mathura, Lucknow

Sri Radha Raman Mandir or Sri Radha Raman Temple is one among the 7 temples of Thakur of Vrindavan including Sri Radhavallabh ji, Shri Bankey Bihari Ji, Shri Govind Dev ji and three others dedicated to Lord Krishna. Constructed at the request of Gopala Bhatta Goswami at around 1542 AD, the temple houses the original shaligram deity of Krishna alongside Radharani. It is one of the most revered temples in Vrindavan, especially by the followers of Gaudiya Vaishnavism.

Legend

According to the legends, Gopala Bhatta Goswami came to Vrindavan at the age of thirty. Gopala Bhatta Gosvami felt intense separation from the Lord after the disappearance of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Once the Lord instructed Gopala Bhatta in a dream, "If you want my darshan then make a trip to Nepal". Gopala Bhatta reached Nepal and he bathed in the famous Kali-Gandaki River. While dipping his waterpot in the river, Gopala Bhatta was surprised to see several Shaligrama shilas enter his pot and he dropped the shilas back into the river. However, the shilas re-entered his pot when he refilled it and he found twelve Shaligrama shilas. Once a wealthy man came to Vrindavana and offered Gopala Bhatta a variety of clothes and ornaments for the Shaligramas in charity. However, as Gopala Bhatta couldn't use the clothes and ornaments for the round-shaped Shaligramas, Gopala Bhatta advised the donor to give the deity decorations to someone else. It is believed that the donor refused to take them back and Gopala Bhatta kept the clothes and ornaments with his shilas. Once on the Purnima (full moon) day, after offering naivedhya to his Shaligrama shilas, in the evening, Gopala Bhatta put them to rest covering them with a basket. When Gopala Bhatta uncovered the Shaligramas in the morning in order to render puja, he saw a idol of Krishna playing the flute amongst them. There were now only eleven shilas and a idol.

Architecture

The temple is exquisitely crafted in Rajasthani style of architecture. The main temple structure comprises the sanctum and the mukhamandapa, a front mandapa or hall. The sanctum has a ceiling in the form of a large blossoming lotus. The temple has a finely carved shikara (pinnacle) above the sanctum. The main entrance to the temple is made through a door that has carved lintels and a multi-lobed arch in its middle. Both the structures are laid out on the same plan having an altar, a mandapa with projections and a porch.

Darsan Info

In Summer
Mangala Arati – 04:00 AM
Darshan – 08:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Evening Darshan - 06:00 PM to 08:00 PM
In Winter
Mangala Arati – 05:30 AM
Darshan – 08:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Evening Darshan – 06:00 PM to 08:00 PM

Darsan Dresscode

Need to wear traditional attire on special days and avoid shorts for men

Famous Festival

Krishna Janmashtami, Radhastami

Culture

The culture of the people of Uttar Pradesh is very much fascinating and captivating. The people are known for their rich cultural heritage where they adhere to their traditional customs and practices. Apart from its natural gifts the people have nurtured a rich heritage of cultural elements. The people of Uttar Pradesh take the pride of bestowing the two great epics in Indian history namely Mahabharata and Ramayan. The culture of Uttar Pradesh, thus, has rightly imbibed this trend and manifested it in its various features. It is highly essential to mention about the fairs and festivals celebrated by the people which gives a glory to the culture of the people. Apart from the national festivals like Holi, Diwali and Makar Sankranti which are celebrated with great fervor the people also fete on many regional festivals and fairs like Taj Mahaotsav which attracts people from all over the globe. This festival recalls the inheritance of the Mughal era by displaying the fine marble replica toys of the Taj, Mughal jewelry, 'zari' clothing and much more.