Temples in Jaipur
Radha Govindaji Temple
Sri Govinda was originally installed nearly 5000 years ago by the great grd-son of Lord Krishna and is one of the four presiding Deities of the Braja-mandala (greater Vrindavana). The other three are Keshavadeva, situated at Sri Krishna Janmasthana, Harideva at Govardhana, and Dauji (Balarama) situated in Baladev.
Govinda was worshiped by Srila Rupa Goswami and installed at the Radha Govinda Temple in Vrindavana. For years the Deity of Govindaji had been lost. Then one night, about 450 years ago, the Govindaji Deity appeared to Rupa Goswami in a dream and revealed to him where He lay buried. Rupa Goswami then excavated Govindaji and personally took charge of His regular worship.
Govindaji was later brought to the city of Amber, near Jaipur, by Maharaja Jai Singh II to keep the Deity from being destroyed by the Muslim emperor Aurangzeb. His grandfather had originally built the Govindaji Temple in Vrindavana. Govindaji was moved to the present temple in Jaipur around 1728 (some say 1735). Maharaja Jai Singh created his "City of Victory," the city of Jaipur, as a dedication to Lord Govindaji. The temple is in a garden of the palace complex, and when the temple doors were opened, Maharaja Jai Singh could see his beloved Deity from the royal quarters.
On the altar are full size Deities of Govinda, a beautiful black marble Deity, and Radha. There is also a small Deity of Krishna named Gaura-Govinda, which was worshiped by Kasiswara Pandit. On the wall to the right of the Deities is a picture of Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda. There is beautiful tile work on the altar. The maha-prasada booth is located to the left of the Deities. It is customary that devotees purchase maha-prasada and then distribute it to the other devotees, who eagerly rush to get it. We gave a 50-rupee donation to the pujari and received four garlands from the Deities. Behind the temple is a large garden.
Mangala-arati, drawing around 5,000 people a day, is an absolute must. The devotees of Govindaji rush eagerly at 5 am in the morning to see their beloved Lord. The devotees chant prayers enthusiastically in praise of Lord Govinda. After the arati the devotees circle the Deities, while different devotees pass out Govindaji's maha-prasad. This sight is a truly magnificent one to behold.
Srila Prabhupada had asked several devotees to carefully observe the Deity worship at the Radha-Govinda temple. Srila Prabhupada said the devotional practices were standard. The Deities' clothes are changed in the morning, afternoon and at night. The priest also offers oils on cotton-tipped sticks, and flower garlands from the Deities are given to the worshipers in exchange for fresh garlands
The translation to the mantra that is chanted in front of Govindaji is: "We hunger for the sight of Your face and we wish to fix You constantly in our thoughts while meditating on Your lotus face. This life is full of rensibilties and now we are in the middle of the ocean; please give us Your blessing so that we can relieve ourselves of life's burdens and understand the meaning of life."
Radha-Gopinatha Temple
These are the Deities worshiped by Madhu Pandita Goswami, which were discovered at Vamsivata in Vrindavana by Paramananda Bhattacharya, the disciple of Gadadhara Pandita. Gopinathaji was originally installed in Vrindavan by Vajranabha. This Deity was brought to Jaipur from Vrindavana when the Muslims raided Vrindavana. Gopinatha is said to exactly resemble Lord Krishna from the shoulders down to the waist.
This temple has beautiful carved silver doors and beautiful paintings on the wall. On the ceiling are paintings of rasalila. A unique embroidered tulasi bead jacket and tulasi japa beads, both of which belonged to Madhu Pandita, are displayed in the courtyard here. Arati times are 5, 8.30, 10, 11.15 am and 5, 5.20, 6, 7.30, 8 pm during Kartika (Oct- Nov).
Radha Damodara Temple
There are two sets of Deities on the main altar. The smaller set of Deities are Jiva Goswami’s original Deities from Vrindavana, Radha Damodara. To left of the Deities is a Govardhana-shila said to have been worshiped by Sanatana Goswami. On an altar, left of the main one, are Deities of Laksmi-Narasimha and Prahladh Maharaja. You have to look closely to see Prahlada Maharaja. There are beautiful paintings of Krishna's pastimes in this temple. The Goswami here, named Mahiman Goswami and his daughter Meetali, said they are members of the same Goswami family who run the Radha-Damodara Temple in Vrindavana. They are very friendly. This is an important temple to visit.
The Deities were brought to Jaipur about 1670, during the reign of Aurangzeb. We gave a 50-rupee donation and received 5 garlands and some plates of maha-prasada. We were also allowed to enter the fenced-off area and stand right next to the Deity door and to take a picture of the Deities. Any questions we had were gladly answered by the priest. Cows are kept in the courtyard of the temple, adding to the peaceful and very devotional atmosphere of the temple.
In the month of Kartika (Oct-Nov) arati times are 4.30, 6, 10, 11.30 am and 6.45, 8.l5 pm. During the summer months the arati times are later.
Radha-Gopinatha Temple
These are the Deities worshiped by Madhu Pandita Goswami, which were discovered at Vamsivata in Vrindavana by Paramananda Bhattacharya, the disciple of Gadadhara Pandita. Gopinathaji was originally installed in Vrindavan by Vajranabha. This Deity was brought to Jaipur from Vrindavana when the Muslims raided Vrindavana. Gopinatha is said to exactly resemble Lord Krishna from the shoulders down to the waist.
This temple has beautiful carved silver doors and beautiful paintings on the wall. On the ceiling are paintings of rasalila. A unique embroidered tulasi bead jacket and tulasi japa beads, both of which belonged to Madhu Pandita, are displayed in the courtyard here. Arati times are 5, 8.30, 10, 11.15 am and 5, 5.20, 6, 7.30, 8 pm during Kartika (Oct- Nov).
Vinodilal Temple
This is small temple up some stairs on Tripoliya Bazaar Road. Vinodilal was installed by Lokanatha Goswamis who is mentioned in the guru-vandana prayers. He was the first devotee sent to Vrindavana by Lord Caitanya. He has one famous disciple, Narottama dasa Thakura, who was a great poet who composed many beautiful Vaishnava songs in praise of the Supreme Lord. Vinodilal is a beautiful Deity, which is about 12 inches tall. There are at least 15 shalagrama-shilas to the left of Deities.
Lokanatha Goswami resided in Vrindavana near the place called Chatravan. While staying near Kishora Kund in Umara village, he discovered the Deities of Radha-Vinoda whom he established in the Gokulananda Temple. These Deities were later moved to this temple in Jaipur.
Radha Madhava Temple
There are two temples here. In the Radha-Madhava Temple, to your right as you drive in, are the original Deities of Jayadeva Goswami. They were brought to Jaipur in 1560, almost 450 years ago. There is a set of four-foot-tall black marble Krishna and brass Radharani Deities and a small set of Deities here.
The Natwarji Temple was established in the 18th century. In this temple are the Deities of Jaya Singh's sister, Amarkuar. There is beautiful silver work (known as meena work, done with mirrors and colored glass based in silver or white metal) around the altar. The temple is closed in the afternoon.
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