Gopeshwar Mahadev Temple Vrindavan
Gopeshwar Mahadev Temple is one of the oldest and most important temples in Vrindavan, located near the holy Yamuna River. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is special because of the sacred Shiva Linga placed here by the great-grandson of Lord Krishna.
The temple is unique as it represents the meeting of two different types of energies: the masculine and feminine powers of nature. During the day, from 4:00 AM to 12:00 PM, the Shiva Linga is worshipped in its original form, symbolizing the male power of Lord Shiva. In the evening, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, the Shiva Linga is dressed as a gopi with special ceremonies called shringar, which are performed during the Raasleela.
Timings of Gopeshwar Mahadev Temple, Vrindavan:
Summer:
Morning: 03:30 am – 11:30 am
Evening: 05:00 pm – 09:00 pm
Mangla Aarti – 3:30 am
Winter:
Morning: 04:00 am – 12:00 pm
Evening: 04:00 pm – 08:30 pm
Mangla Aarti – 04:00 pm
Gopeshwar Mahadev Temple, Location –
Vanshivat, Near Temple, Goda Vihar, Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh 281121
Gopeshwar Mahadev Story
Once, Lord Shiva, also known as Mahadev, wanted to see Krishna’s divine dance, the rasa-lila, with his own eyes. He traveled from Mount Kailash to Vrindavan, where the dance was happening. However, when he reached the entrance, the gopis stopped him. They told him that no man, except Krishna, was allowed to enter.
Shiva did not give up. He asked how he could enter and see the dance. The gopis advised him to pray to Paurnamasi, the goddess of Vrindavan. Shiva worshiped Paurnamasi with great devotion. Pleased with his prayers, she dipped him into the Brahma-kund, a sacred pond nearby. When Shiva came out of the water, he had transformed into a beautiful young gopi!
Paurnamasi took the gopi, who was really Shiva in disguise, to the grove where the rasa-lila was happening. Then, she disappeared. Soon after, the dance began. But the Gopis felt something was wrong. “Why do we not feel the usual joy today?” they wondered. They realized that an outsider must have sneaked into their group.
The Gopis searched and found the unknown Gopi sitting quietly in the grove. They asked her many questions: “What is your name?” “Where are you from?” “Who is your husband?” The gopi, who was really Lord Shiva, could not answer any of these questions. She began to cry because she had no real identity as a gopi. Seeing her silence, the gopis became suspicious and slapped her cheeks until they were swollen.
Paurnamasi saw what was happening and felt sorry for Shiva. She came forward and explained to the gopis that this new gopi was under her protection. She requested Krishna and the gopis to show mercy.
Understanding Paurnamasi’s wish, Krishna gave Shiva the name “Gopiswar,” meaning “Lord of the Gopis.” He also granted Shiva a special blessing. From that day on, no saint or devotee could enter Vrindavan or see Krishna’s pastimes without first receiving Shiva’s blessing.
Later, Vajranabha, Krishna’s great-grandson, installed a Shiva-linga in the temple. This temple is now known as the Gopeshwar Mahadev Temple.
It is believed that the large pipal tree near the temple is a kalpa-vriksha tree that can fulfill all wishes.
Distance for Gopeshwar Mahadev Temple Vrindavan
| Place Name | Distance |
|---|---|
|
Mathura Railway Station |
14 km |
|
Banke Bihari Mandir |
950 m |
|
Prem Mandir |
5.2 km |
|
Nidhivan |
850 m |
How to Reach Gopeshwar Temple Vrindavan
By Road: You can easily hire a cab from Agra, Mathura, or Delhi to travel to the Gopeshwar Mahadev Temple. It is approx. 158 km from Delhi, 80 kms from Agra, and 12 kms from Mathura.
By Train: The city is well-connected with almost all cities across the country. The nearest railway station is in Mathura, located 14 kms away.
By Air: The nearest fully functional commercial airport is the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, 155 km away.