Madan Mohan Temple

The Deity of Madan Mohan, originally known as Madan-Gopal, was created for Krishna’s great-grandson, Vajranabha. For many years, this precious deity was lost until Advaita Acarya discovered Him in Mahavan-Gokul.

 He served the Deity at the base of an old “vat” tree before leaving for Navadvip, entrusting the Deity to a brahmana named Chaube in Mathura.

Years later, Caitanya Mahaprabhu sent Sanatana Goswami to Vrindavan to find lost places of Krishna’s pastimes and to write about devotional service.

 Advaita Acarya often performed his bhajana at Advaita-vat, located at the base of a hill. While begging in Mathura, Sanatana came to Chaube’s home and was horrified to see the brahmana’s children playing with the Deity as if Madan Mohan were one of them. He Scolded Chaube and taught him the proper ways to worship the Deity.

That night, both Sanatana and Chaube had a dream. Madan Mohan appeared to Sanatana, expressing that He enjoyed being treated like one of the brahmana’s children. He revealed that He preferred this informal treatment over the strict rules Sanatana had introduced. To Chaube, Madan Mohan said He was like one of his children and encouraged him to give Him to Sanatana.

The next morning, both devotees sought to apologize, but ultimately, Madan Mohan chose to go with Sanatana. Before leaving, the Deity promised Sanatana that He would be satisfied with whatever offerings he could provide.

As a traveling mendicant, Sanatana could only offer dry bread balls, practicing madhukari (begging from door to door).

Madan Mohan then asked for a little salt, but Sanatana explained that he could not afford such a “luxury” due to his dedication to bhajan.

 Shortly after, a merchant named Krisnadas Kapoor faced trouble when his boat ran aground in the Yamuna River. In the form of a small cowherd boy, Madan Mohan led the worried merchant to Sanatana.

The merchant described his problem, but Sanatana, being a sannyasi, felt helpless. He advised the merchant to pray to the Madan Mohan Deity he had humbly kept nearby.

Following Sanatana’s advice, the merchant prayed, and soon after, the waters of the Yamuna rose, freeing his boat.

With the profits from his successful journey to Agra, the merchant, under Sanatana’s guidance, began constructing a temple for Madan Mohan.

This temple became one of the most important symbols of Vrindavan. Alongside Madan Mohan, Radharani and Lalita are worshiped.

In 1670, during an attack by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb’s soldiers, the original Madan Mohan Deity was moved from Vrindavan to Jaipur. Today, this original deity resides in Karoli, located southeast of Jaipur in Rajasthan.

The Radha Madan Mohan Temple continues to be a significant site of worship and devotion, attracting countless visitors to its rich history and spiritual heritage.