Shri Radha Rani Temple, also called Shriji (Shreeji) Temple and Shri Laadli Lal Temple, is a
Hindu
Hindus (; ) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism. Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pages 35–37 Historically, the term has also been used as a geographical, cultural, and later religious identifier for ...
temple, located in
Barsana in
Mathura district,
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh (; , 'Northern Province') is a state in northern India. With over 200 million inhabitants, it is the most populated state in India as well as the most populous country subdivision in the world. It was established in 1950 ...
,
India
India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...
.
The temple is dedicated to the goddess
Radha. Barsana is believed to be her birthplace. The main deities of the temple are called Shri
Laadli Lal
Lal ( fa, لعل, hi, लाल, bn, লাল, ur, لال, ps, Lāl) is an Indo-Iranian surname and given name, which means "darling", "precious", or "beloved", from the Sanskrit ''lala'' ("cajoling").''Dictionary of American Family Names''F ...
(means beloved daughter and son), another name of
Radha Krishna
Radha-Krishna ( IAST , sa, राधा कृष्ण) are collectively known within Hinduism as the combined forms of feminine as well as the masculine realities of God. Krishna and Radha are the primeval forms of God and his pleasure pote ...
respectively.
The temple is stretched on the top of Bhanugarh hills, which is about 250 meters in height.
The temple attracts huge crowd of devotees and tourists visiting temple from across the world for its most popular festivals -
Radhashtami
Radhashtami is a Hindu holy day commemorating the birth anniversary of the goddess Radha, the chief consort of the god Krishna. It is celebrated with great fervor in her birthplace Barsana and the entire Braj region on the eighth day (Ashtam ...
and
Lathmar Holi.
History
Radha Rani Temple is originally believed to be established by King Vajranabh (great-grandson of
Krishna
Krishna (; sa, कृष्ण ) is a major deity in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the eighth avatar of Vishnu and also as the Supreme god in his own right. He is the god of protection, compassion, tenderness, and love; and is one ...
) around 5000 years ago. The temple is said to be in ruins; the icons were rediscovered by Narayan Bhatt (a disciple of
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (; born Vishvambhar Mishra) was a 15th-century Indian saint who is considered to be the combined avatar of Radha and Krishna by his disciples and various scriptures. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's mode of worshipping Krish ...
) and a temple was built in 1675 AD by Raja Veer Singh. Later, the present structure of temple was built by Narayan Bhatt with the help of
Raja Todarmal, one of the governors in the Akbar's court.
There is also a popular legend associated with the temple. According to it, Krishna's father
Nanda
Nanda may refer to:
Indian history and religion
* Nanda Empire, ruled by the Nanda dynasty, an Indian royal dynasty ruling Magadha in the 4th century BCE
** Mahapadma Nanda, first Emperor of the Nanda Empire
** Dhana Nanda (died c. 321 BCE), last ...
and Radha's father
Vrishbhanu were close friends. While Nanda was head of
Gokul
Gokul is a town in the Mathura district of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is located south-east of Mathura. According to Bhagavata Purana, Krishna spent his childhood in Gokul.
Geography
The town has an average elevation of .
Demo ...
a, Vrishbhanu was head of Rawal. However, fed up with the atrocities of
Mathura
Mathura () is a city and the administrative headquarters of Mathura district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is located approximately north of Agra, and south-east of Delhi; about from the town of Vrindavan, and from Govardhan. ...
's king
Kamsa, both of them with their people shifted to
Nandgaon and
Barsana. Nanda made Nandishvar hill his home and Vrishbhanu made Bhanugarh hill his permanent abode, which also ultimately became the abode of Radha. Presently, in both the twin towns of Barsana and Nandgaon, there stands the historical temples dedicated to Radha and Krishna on the peak of Nandishvar and Bhanugarh hills respectively. While Nandgaon temple is called the Nand Bhawan, Barsana temple is named after Radha, called Radha Rani temple or Shriji (Shreeji temple).
Architecture
Shreeji Temple, with its arches, pillars and red sandstone, looks like a structure dating back to the Mughal era. This popular temple in Barsana has resemblance to the architectural style prevailing during that time.
The temple looks like a magnificent palace which is made up of red sandstone and adorned with intricate hand carvings, beautiful arches, domes and exquisite paintings on its inner walls and ceilings. Red and white stones have been used for the construction of the temple, which are considered to symbolize the love of Radha and Krishna.
There are more than 200 stairs which leads to the main temple from ground. At the foot of the steps that lead to this temple is the palace of
Vrishabhanu
Vrishabhanu ( sa, वृषभानु; IAST: ) also spelled as Brushabhanu was a distinguished Yadava chieftain. He was the father of goddess Radha who was the incarnation of goddess Lakshmi in Dwapar Yuga. According to Sanskrit scripture Pad ...
Maharaj where there are idols of Vrishabhanu Maharaj, Kirtida, Shridama (Sibling of Radha) and Shri Radhika. Near this palace is the temple of
Brahma
Brahma ( sa, ब्रह्मा, Brahmā) is a Hindu god, referred to as "the Creator" within the Trimurti, the trinity of supreme divinity that includes Vishnu, and Shiva.Jan Gonda (1969)The Hindu Trinity Anthropos, Bd 63/64, H 1/2, pp. 21 ...
. Also, close by, there is Ashtasakhi temple where Radha along with her principal sakhis (friends) are worshiped. As the temple is on the peak of hill, the whole Barsana can be seen from the temple's premises.
Festivals
Radhashtami
Radhashtami is a Hindu holy day commemorating the birth anniversary of the goddess Radha, the chief consort of the god Krishna. It is celebrated with great fervor in her birthplace Barsana and the entire Braj region on the eighth day (Ashtam ...
and
Krishna Janmashtami, birthdays of Radha and Krishna, are the chief festivals of the Radha Rani temple. On both these days, the temple is decorated with flowers, balloons and lights. The deities are dressed in new dresses and jewellery sets. After performing "
Aarti", 56 types of dishes, also called "''Chappan Bhog''" is offered to
Radha Krishna
Radha-Krishna ( IAST , sa, राधा कृष्ण) are collectively known within Hinduism as the combined forms of feminine as well as the masculine realities of God. Krishna and Radha are the primeval forms of God and his pleasure pote ...
which later gets distributed to the devotees as "
Prasada
200px, Prasad thaal offered to Swaminarayan temple in Ahmedabad ">Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Ahmedabad">Swaminarayan temple in Ahmedabad
Prasada (, Sanskrit: प्रसाद, ), Prasadam or Prasad is a religious offering in Hinduism. Most o ...
".
Besides Radhastami and Janmashtami,
Lathmar Holi is also one of the significant festivals of the temple. To celebrate Lathmar Holi, devotees and tourists visit the temple. The
Holi
Holi (), also known as the Festival of Colours, the Festival of Spring, and the Festival of Love,The New Oxford Dictionary of English (1998) p. 874 "Holi /'həʊli:/ noun a Hindu spring festival ...". is an ancient Hindu religious festival ...
in Barsana starts a week before the actual day of the festival and lasts till
Rang Panchami
Rang Panchami (literally colour on the fifth) is a Hindu festival celebrated on Phalguna Krushnapaksha Panchami, that is the fifth day of the second fortnight of the month of Phalguna.
On the day of this festival, children in Maharashtra state p ...
.
Temple timings
The time zone (
UTC+05:30) observed through India by the priest.
Summer Timings - Morning 05:00 am to 02:00 pm and Evening 05:00 pm to 09:00 pm.
Winter Timings - Morning 05:30 am to 02:00 pm and Evening 05:00 pm to 08:30 pm.
Temple Gallery
Chhatris of Barsana 03.jpg, Front view of temple
Radharani Temple Barsana.jpg, Inside premises of Radha Rani Temple
Barsana View from Shriji Temple.jpg, Top View of Barsana from Radha Rani Temple
Radharani Temple Barsana 3.jpg, Side view of Temple
Chhatris of Barsana 10.jpg, Holi
Holi (), also known as the Festival of Colours, the Festival of Spring, and the Festival of Love,The New Oxford Dictionary of English (1998) p. 874 "Holi /'həʊli:/ noun a Hindu spring festival ...". is an ancient Hindu religious festival ...
celebration inside the Temple
Chhatris of Barsana 01.jpg, Gathering of devotees on the occasion of Holi
Holi (), also known as the Festival of Colours, the Festival of Spring, and the Festival of Love,The New Oxford Dictionary of English (1998) p. 874 "Holi /'həʊli:/ noun a Hindu spring festival ...". is an ancient Hindu religious festival ...
in Temple premises
How to Reach
*Location: Radha Bagh Marg,
Barsana,
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh (; , 'Northern Province') is a state in northern India. With over 200 million inhabitants, it is the most populated state in India as well as the most populous country subdivision in the world. It was established in 1950 ...
281405.
*Nearest Railway Station:
Mathura
Mathura () is a city and the administrative headquarters of Mathura district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is located approximately north of Agra, and south-east of Delhi; about from the town of Vrindavan, and from Govardhan. ...
railway station, which is around 50.7 km away from Radha Rani Temple and Kosi Kalan railway station which is around 10 kms away from the temple.
*Nearest Airport: Indira Gandhi International Airport
New Delhi
New Delhi (, , ''Naī Dillī'') is the capital of India and a part of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT). New Delhi is the seat of all three branches of the government of India, hosting the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Parliament House ...
, which is around 150 km away from Radha Rani Temple. and Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Airport
Agra
Agra (, ) is a city on the banks of the Yamuna river in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, about south-east of the national capital New Delhi and 330 km west of the state capital Lucknow. With a population of roughly 1.6 million, Agra i ...
, which is around 110 km away from Radha Rani Temple.
Nearby attractions
*
Rangeeli Mahal Barsana
Rangeeli Mahal, founded in 1996, is one of the main centers of Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat, is located at Shri Radharani's eternal abode, Barsana. In describing the glory of Barsana dham, Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj had said that with ...
, also called Kirti Temple, named after Radha's mother Kirtida and dedicated to Goddess Radha.
*Maan Mandir, temple dedicated to
Radha Krishna
Radha-Krishna ( IAST , sa, राधा कृष्ण) are collectively known within Hinduism as the combined forms of feminine as well as the masculine realities of God. Krishna and Radha are the primeval forms of God and his pleasure pote ...
.
*Mor Kutir, temple dedicated to peacock forms of Radha and Krishna.
*Khadri Van.
*Sankari Khor Barsana.
*Pili Pokhar, also called Priya Kund dedicated to Goddess Radha.
*Radha Bagh.
*Shri Kushal Bihari, Jaipur Temple, Barsana.
*Shri Chitra Sakhi Temple.
See also
*
Barsana
*
Radha Kund
Radha Kund (, en, Radha’s Pond) is a town and ''nagar panchayat'' in Vrindavan in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is also one of the pilgrimage sites dedicated to Hindu goddess Radha.
Legend
Following the '' Upadesamrta'' (''Nectar o ...
*
Kusum Sarovar
*
Rangeeli Mahal Barsana
Rangeeli Mahal, founded in 1996, is one of the main centers of Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat, is located at Shri Radharani's eternal abode, Barsana. In describing the glory of Barsana dham, Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj had said that with ...
*
Nidhivan, Vrindavan
Nidhivan which means "''Forest of Tulsi'' " is one of the sacred forest sites of Vrindavan. It is situated in the Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh, India. Nidhivan is considered as the most prominent site dedicated to the pastimes of Hindu deities ...
*
Bankey Bihari Temple, Vrindavan
*
Radha Krishna Vivah Sthali, Bhandirvan
References
{{Reflist
Hindu temples in Mathura district
Radha Krishna temples
Vrindavan
17th-century Hindu temples
Tourist attractions in Mathura district