Radha Raman Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Krishna, also known as Radha Ramana located in the Indian city of Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh. Gopal Bhatta Goswami established Radha Raman Temple. He is one of the six Goswamis of Vrindavan who strictly adhered to Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s principles. This lovely Deity manifests himself from a saligram sila and has a mystic smile on his face.

This temple, along with Radha Vallabh Temple, Radha Damodar Temple, Radha Madanmohan Temple, Radha Govindji Temple, Radha Shyamsundar Temple, and Radha Gokulnandan Temple, is one of Vrindavan’s seven most revered ancient temples. The temple is home to the original Shaligram deity of Krishna and the goddess Radha.

Story Behind Radha Raman Temple

Gopala Bhatta Goswami built the temple over 500 years ago. Gopala Bhatta Gosvami arrived in Vrindavana when he was thirty years old. Gopala Bhatta Gosvami experienced intense separation from the Lord following the disappearance of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. To alleviate the pain of separation, the Lord told Gopala Bhatta in a dream, “If you want My Darshan, then go to Nepal.”

Gopala Bhatta Goes to Nepal’s famous Kali-Gandaki River and bathes there. He was surprised to see several Shaligrama Shilas enter his waterpot after dipping it in the river. He threw the Shilas back into the river, but they returned when he refilled his pot.

Gopala Bhatta Gosvami discovered a total of twelve Shaligrama Shilas. It is said that a wealthy man once came to Vrindavan and donated a variety of clothes and ornaments for Gopala Bhatta’s Shaligramas. Gopala Bhatta, on the other hand, couldn’t use these for his round-shaped Shaligramas. He suggested to the donor that the deity decorations be given to someone else. The donor is said to have refused to take them back, so Gopala Bhatta kept the clothes and ornaments with his shilas.

On the Purnima (full moon) day, after offering naivedhya to his Shaligrama Shilas, Gopala Bhatta laid them to rest in the evening, covering them with a wicker basket. Gopala Bhatta took a short nap late at night. He went to bathe in the Yamuna river early in the morning. When he returned from his bath, he uncovered the Shaligramas to perform puja and discovered a Krishna Deity playing the flute among them. There were only eleven Shilas and one Deity left. The “Damodara shila” had manifested as Tri-Bhangananda-Krishna’s beautiful three-fold bending form. In this manner, Radha Raman emerged from a sacred Shaligrama Shila in a perfectly shaped deity form.

History of Radha Raman Temple

The Samadhi room of Gopal Bhatta Goswami, the 15th-century ardent devotee and saint who first recognised his beloved Master Radha Raman in Shaligram form, is located within the temple courtyard. The temple was built much later, in 1826, by Shah Behari Lall, and it still houses the self-manifested mesmeric deity of Lord Radha Raman in black stone.

Aside from its allure, the deity is even more intriguing because it is one of the few original idols left in Vrindavan. Most of the others are replicas, as the originals had to be relocated to Jaipur as a precaution against the Mughal Invader Aurangzeb’s invasive carnage.

The architecture of Radha Raman Temple

The architectural brilliance of the Radha Raman Temple reflects the contemporary Hindu style of architecture. It houses an original Saligram stone statue with a self-manifested magical grin on its face. The magnificent temple structure and scenic beauty are enhanced by a river near its periphery. Within the complex is also Gopala Bhatta Goswami’s mausoleum. There is a one-of-a-kind Unag vastra of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu kept there.

Radha Raman’s deity measures 12 inches tall. According to ancient sources, a cooker has been burning in the temple kitchen since the temple’s inception, which was 500 years ago. The samadhi of Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami is established within the temple complex, as is the rarely available vastra of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

Facts about Radha Raman Temple

• Radha Raman Temple is a Hindu temple situated in the town of Vrindavan, Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh, dedicated to Lord Krishna.
• This temple was built by Gopala Bhatta Goswami and is dedicated to Lord Krishna as Radha Ramana. He is one of the six Goswamis of Vrindavan who strictly adhered to Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s principles.
• The temple is exquisitely crafted and one of the most revered temples in Vrindavan, particularly among Gaudiya Vaishnavism followers. It houses Krishna’s original shaligram deity, as well as Radharani. Shah Behari Lallji renovated the temple in the year 1826.
• The deity manifests himself as a shaligram shila, about 30 cm tall, with a mystic smile on his face. In the year 1542, the deity was installed on the full moon day of the month of Vaishaka (April-May).
• The temple grounds are quite large, with the main building surrounded by a magnificently carved Rajasthani-style entrance with steep steps leading to the temple courtyard.
• Gopala Bhatta’s Samadhi is next to the Radha-Raman Temple. It is believed that the statue has disc markings on its back and feet.
• This holistic temple has a medical welfare society, a free education facility, a dental charity, and many other amenities designed specifically for devotees. This temple is located in Vrindavan at Keshi Ghat. This temple is easily accessible from the city.

Famous Festivals In Radha Raman Temple

• Krishna Janmashtami – Lord Krishna was born on Ashtami, the eighth day of the Hindu month of Bhadra. The celebrations at the Dwarkadhish Temple begin early morning and continue until late at night.
• Holi – This festival is celebrated in the month of  Phalgun (Feb – March). During the celebration, people celebrate with colours and also celebrate and enjoy in temples complex.
• Dhulandi: Dhulandi is the day following Holika Dahan. It is the day when Holi is celebrated across the country, and people of all ages enjoy playing with colours. Devotees offer colours to their beloved Lord on this day. Another major draw of the Holi celebrations is Huranga or Lathmar Holi.
• Radhashtami – On the eighth day of the Bhadrapad month (Hindu Calendar), Shrimati Raadharani incarnated as the daughter of Shri Vrishnubhanu ji. Radha Rani’s birthday is celebrated with great pomp and show at Bankey Bihari Ji temple.

Best Time to Visit Radha Raman Temple

This place is very heavenly and spiritual, and you can visit it all year. However, the best time to visit this temple is during the monsoon and winter seasons. During the monsoon season, this location receives moderate to heavy rainfall, making it appear heavenly with its greenery and bringing freshness elsewhere.

How To reach Radha Raman Temple

The best time to visit Radha Raman Temple is between November and February, and during Janmashtami which is celebrated grandly here.

By Air: The nearest airport is Agra Airport, which is around 67 km away from the Radha Raman Temple. The other nearest international airport is Delhi International Airport, which serves Mathura-Vrindavan. It is, however, 147 kilometres away.

By Rail: The Radha Raman Temple is about 2 kilometres from the Vrindavan Railway station.

By Road: The city is well connected by robust state-run buses and taxis. You can reach Radha Raman Temple by local bus/taxi after reaching Mathura city.

Also Read – Shri Dwarkadhish Temple Mathura