SHRI RADHA GOKULANANDA TEMPLE

 

Shri Radha Gokulananda Temple, located near Shri Radha Raman Ji Temple in Vrindavan, is one of the oldest and most revered Gaudiya Vaishnava temples. This temple holds immense significance as it houses the deities worshipped by some of the greatest acharyas in the Gaudiya tradition. The temple beautifully preserves the legacy of devotion, where multiple prominent deities are worshipped together under one sanctified roof.

Spiritual & Historical Significance

This temple is unique because it enshrines the deities of several exalted Vaishnava saints, making it a central place of pilgrimage for devotees seeking their blessings.

  • Radha-Vinoda Deities: The small but divine deities of Radha-Vinoda worshipped by Lokanatha Goswami, a close associate of Lord Chaitanya.

  • Vijaya Govinda Deities: The larger deities of Vijaya Govinda, worshipped by Baladeva Vidyabhusana, the great Gaudiya philosopher and author of the famous Govinda Bhashya.

  • Radha Gokulananda Deities: The beautiful Radha-Gokulananda deities of Viswanath Chakravarti Thakur, one of the foremost Gaudiya acharyas.

  • Deity of Caitanya Mahaprabhu: Worshipped by Narottama Das Thakur, who also served the small Krishna deity placed in front of Gokulananda.

Originally, each of these deities was worshipped in separate temples, but later Viswanath Chakravarti Thakur arranged for the construction of this temple to enshrine them together, creating a unique spiritual sanctum of Gaudiya heritage.

Location

Shri Radha Gokulananda Temple is situated near Shri Radha Raman Ji Temple in Vrindavan, Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Temple Timings

Summer:

  • Morning: 07:00 AM – 12:15 PM

  • Evening: 06:00 PM – 09:00 PM

Winter:

  • Morning: 05:30 AM – 12:15 Noon

  • Evening Aarti: 06:00 PM – 09:00 PM

Key Highlights

  • Ancient Gaudiya Temple: One of the oldest temples of Vrindavan.

  • Multiple Deities: Home to Radha-Vinoda, Vijaya Govinda, Radha-Gokulananda, Krishna, and Caitanya Mahaprabhu deities.

  • Legacy of Great Acharyas: Associated with Lokanatha Goswami, Baladeva Vidyabhusana, Viswanath Chakravarti Thakur, and Narottama Das Thakur.

  • Unified Worship: Originally worshipped separately, the deities are now revered together in this temple.

  • Living Tradition: A temple that embodies the combined devotion and spiritual practices of Gaudiya saints.

Spiritual Essence

The Shri Radha Gokulananda Temple is not just a place of worship but a spiritual archive of Gaudiya Vaishnava history. Each deity represents the devotion of a great saint, reminding devotees that the path of bhakti is illuminated by the examples of pure-hearted acharyas. This temple stands as a beacon of faith, heritage, and eternal service to the Divine Couple, Shri Shri Radha-Krishna.