Garud Govind temple, Vrindavan
The Garud Ji Temple is a special place filled with devotion and love for Lord Krishna. It feels like a big, beautiful home where devotees bring gifts like flowers, food, and decorations for the Lord. The temple is always alive with devotional songs and chants, making it feel like a joyful celebration.
In this temple, Lord Govind Ji (Lord Narayana) is seen sitting on the mighty Garuda, his divine eagle vehicle. This temple is famous around the world because it is believed to help people overcome Sarpa Dosha and Kaalsarpa Yoga, which are difficulties caused by the influence of snakes in astrology. One unique thing about this temple is that Lord Narayana is shown with twelve arms, giving him a powerful and divine appearance.
The Story of Garud Ji
Garud Ji was born to Sage Kashyapa and his wife Vinita. He had a stepmother, Kadru, who was the mother of a thousand snakes (Nagas). One day, Kadru and Vinita argued about the color of a magical flying horse’s tail. Kadru, wanting to win the bet, tricked Vinita by making her snake-sons turn the horse’s tail black. Because of this trick, Vinita lost the bet and was forced to serve Kadru and the Nagas.
Garud Ji and his mother suffered under Kadru and her sons’ cruelty. However, the Nagas made a deal: they would set them free if Garud Ji could bring the nectar of immortality (Amrit) from the heavens. Brave and strong, Garud Ji stole the nectar from Lord Indra’s kingdom and freed himself and his mother. Because of the betrayal and suffering, Garud Ji became the greatest enemy of the Nagas, always fighting against them.
Garud Ji and Lord Krishna
Long ago, in Vrindavan, where Lord Krishna performed his divine pastimes, the Garud Ji Temple stood as a place of great devotion. It is said that Garud Ji himself watched over Vrindavan with deep love and respect.
One day, while Garud Ji was meditating, he felt a powerful presence. Opening his eyes, he saw Lord Krishna standing before him, dressed in yellow silk with a peacock feather in His crown and a flute in His hands. His smile filled the temple with divine light.
Krishna said, “Garud, my faithful servant, I have come to bless you.”
Garud Ji immediately bowed and said, “My Lord, what great fortune brings You here? I am always ready to serve You.”
Krishna chuckled, “Your devotion is pure, Garud. You have always carried Lord Vishnu across the three worlds, but today, I wanted to visit you in your own temple.”
Tears of joy filled Garud Ji’s eyes. He said, “Prabhu, I have always wanted to see Your pastimes in Vrindavan—Your butter stealing, Your dancing with the Gopis, and Your flute playing by the Yamuna River. But I could never enter Vrindavan because of a curse from the great sage Shobhari Muni. He said that I would die if I ever set foot here.”
Krishna smiled mischievously and said, “That curse no longer has power over you. I am removing it!”
From that day on, Garud Ji’s presence in Vrindavan became special, and he was finally free to watch over Krishna’s sacred land. Even today, devotees visit the Garud Ji Temple in Vrindavan, feeling the strong bond between Garud Ji and Lord Krishna.