Information of Radha Damodar Temple, Vrindavan, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh

Radha Damodar Temple is an ancient temple created by Srila Jiva Goswami and Sanatana Goswami in the year 1542 CE. Among many other temples in Vrindavan, Radha Damodar Temple is counted among the important ones. Situated in the centre of Seva Kunj, Radha Damodar Temple was the idea of Srila Prabhupada who was the creator of ISCON Temple as the core of religious world. This aspect throws fair level of prominence to Radha Damodar Temple as a religious place.

Radha Damodar Temple Religious Significance

The idols of Radha Damodara in the temple were established by Rupa Goswami, an Indian religious teacher who later gave them to his follower Jiva Goswami for worshipping. In later phase, owing to the terror of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, the idols of Radha Damodar was transferred to Jaipur for certain period of time. Afterwards, when the social situation become favourable, the idols were brought back to Vrindavan in 1739 CE. The idols of Radha Damodar have been worshipped in Radha Damodar Temple since then.

Before the demise of Srila Jiva Goswami in the year 1506, he left the idols along with the library in the responsibility of his successor named Sri Krishna Das, the principal priest of Radha Damodar Temple. The current worshipping activities have directly appeared from his descendants. Nowadays, apart from the idol of Radha Damodar, there are other idols which are worshipped in the temple.

Radha Damodar Temple Mythology & History

Several devotees believe that the idols in in Radha Damodar Temple are not the original idols which were given to Srila Jiva Goswami. Some think that the original idols are still reside in Jaipur. The fact is that in the year 1670, when Mughal King Aurangzeb assaulted Vrindavan, he intended to demolish many temples and spoil the idols there. Therefore, the idols of Radha Damodar were shifted to safe boundaries in Jaipur, under the supports of Rajput emperors. Nevertheless, the idols of Radha Damodar was returned to Vrindavan. The idols that swapped the original ones are termed as pratibhu-murtis which were installed and served by the goswamis of Radha Damodar Temple. Every pratibhu-murtis are smaller in comparison with the original idols.

In Radha Damodar Temple, there is also a Govardhana Shila which is known as Giri Raj Charan Shila. This shila was worshipped by one of the creators of Radha Damodar Temple, i.e. Sanatana Goswami. It is believed that god Krishna's footprint is on the shila. The mythology states that when Sanatana Goswami was very old and weak, lord Krishna gave him the shila and told him if he worship the shila it would be similarly effective as going around the sacred Govardhana Hill. One can observe the traces of footprint in Govardhana Shila with walking stick. It also comprise a hoof print of an embedded calf. The Govardhana Shila is displayed during the occasion of Janmasthami.

There are other important festivals which are celebrated in Radha Damodar Temple such as Kartika, Sarad Purnima, Govardhan Puja, Gopaastami, Devotthan Ekadasi, Kartik Maharaas Purnima, Vanjuli Mahadwadasi, Holi and Gaur Purnima among others.

Radha Damodar Temple Architectural Significance

Inside the Radha Damodar Temple, there are many idols which was engraved by Rupa Goswami. Apart from that, the other idols of the temple include Vrindavan Chandra which was worshipped by Krishna Das, Radha Madhava and Radha Chalacikana. Jiva Goswami created a library in Radha Damodar Temple which houses every original scripts created by goswamis. Apart from that the tombs of Rupa Goswami, Jiva Goswami and Krishna Das are also situated in the temple area.