Shri Radha Govind Dev: the deity who looks exactly like Krishna

Vrindavan 2016.09.26 (VT): Govind Dev Temple is one of the most sought after
Holy Places in Vrindavan. The temple is a specimen of advanced archeology. It was
constructed in 1590 by Raja Man Singh of Amber. It was sacked during the Mughal
era by Aurangzeb who in one of his demolition spree destroyed the upper four
floors. Now the temple lies empty and without any embellishment as such.
This famous temple was established by Srila Sanatana Goswami and was the first
temple to be built in. The construction of Govind dev ji started under the guidance
of Raghunatha Bhatta and his disciples headed by Raja Man Singh of Jaipur at
around 1570. This deity was established by Srila Rupa Goswami who was ordered by
Lord Chaitanya to excavate all the lost holy places of Vrindavan.
Bajranabh, the legend who established Lord Govind Dev
According to Hindu mythology, Bajranabh is the great grandson of the Lord Krishna,
sculpted with his own hand an astonishing idol of the Govind Dev Ji. About 5000
years ago, it is believed that when Bajranabh was at the age of 13, he asked his
grandmother Uttara (daughter in law of Lord Krishna) that how Krishna looked like.
Then He made an image as per the description given by her. She however, said that
not all but the feet of that image looked like those of Lord Shri Krishna.
Bajranabh made another image, yet she said that the Chest looked like that of Lord
Shri Krishna. Thereafter, He made the Third Image and looking at the same she
veiled her face as a show of modesty, and remarked that the face of the deity was
exactly like that of Lord Sri Krishna. The first one came to be known as "Madan
Mohan Ji". The second one was called as Lord "Gopi Nath Ji" and the third One, the
likeness of Krishna is Lord "Govind Dev Ji".
The Image of Lord Govind Devji was also called "Bajrakrit"- indicating thereby that it
was created by Bajranabh. Bajranabh later made a temple of Lord Govind Dev to
depict the pastimes of Radha and Krishna. But With passing of ages the glories of
the Indian Culture were being forgotten and the sands of time kept piling up.
Together with every other thing these pious divine images were also lost from the
memories of people. Some 500 years ago, legend has it that Sri Chaitanya
Mahaprabhu asked one of his disciples to excavate the idol of Govind, which had
been buried there to protect it from the Mughal marauders.
Rediscovery of Lord Govind Dev by Rupa Goswami
Five thousand years earlier, Lord Krishna's grandson, Vajranaba, installed a number
of important deities in Vrindavan; Govind Dev Ji is one of them. Rupa Goswami visit
all over Vrindavana to locate the Yogapith (the resting place of original deity of
Govind Dev Ji) but after a month of searching, the deity could not be found.

Finally on Basant Panchami in 1525, the GovindDev Ji himself presented himself to

Roop Goswami at Goma Mandir which is a very popular at Vrindavan.Rupa Goswami
feeling disappointed, came and sat by the bank of river Yamuna and shedding tears,
began calling the name of Lord Chaitanya -"Ha Chaitanya Ha Chaaitanya" (oh
Chaitanaya). Suddenly Lord Krishna in the guise of a beautiful brajvasi boy
appeared and informed Rup Goswami that a cow came every day to a nearby
hillock, and emptied its milk in to a hole in the hilltop. He asked Rupa to accompany
him to the place and see what might be in the hole.
Rupa Goswami followed the boy and upon reaching the spot, the boy disappeared.
Looking within the milk drenched hole, Rupa Goswami immediately fell unconscious
in a wave of ecstatic emotions. When he recovered, he summoned the local people
who excavated the hole and found the beautiful deity of Lord Govind dev ji.
Shifting of Govind Dev to Jaipur
It has been said that the Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh-II of Jaipur saw a dream where
Lord Krishna himself told him to bring his idol from the city of Vrindavan and set it
up in his own residence and save it from getting destroyed by the hands of the
Aurangzeb, Mughal Emperor. Very next day Maharaja brought the idol Govind Dev Ji
from the lovely city of Vrindavan to his palace in Jaipur, which is known as Surya
Mahal. Later on he built a new residence palace and the idol was moved between
the Badal Mahal and the Chandra Mahal which is the current temple of Govind Dev Ji
Maharaj.
In the meanwhile, the soldiers of Aurangzeb dismantled the top floors of the Radha
Govind Dev Ji temple and desecrated the sanctum sanctorum as well as mutilated
all the stone carvings within the temple. Because the soldiers of Aurangzeb
desecrated the main temple, it is believed that worship cannot continue in that
temple. Therefore a new temple was established behind the original Govind Dev Ji
temple and it contains the pratibhu (replica) Deities of Radha Govind. The original
Deities of Govind Ji are still in Jaipur. The pratibhu Deities are considered to be the
same as the originals.
Govind Dev temple in Vrindavan
Before its destruction the temple stood seven stories high. Just two stories remain.
Still, the Radha Govind Temple remains a towering monument to Lord Govind and a
place where one can feel a connection to the great saints of the past and the history
of Krishna devotion in Vrindavan.
The temple has an impressive alter of marble and silver. The ceiling of the main hall
is decorated with a sculptured lotus which weighs over several ton. The cost of
building the temple in those times was ten million rupees. Several thousand men
were employed for 7 years to complete the temple. The temple is decorated with

flowers during Janmashtami, and Holi. Outside the temple you will find many shops
selling devotional items like flowers, incense stick, idol dresses and the likes.