Govind Dev Ji Temple

Lord Shri Govind Dev ji

The Hindu temple Govind Dev Ji is situated in Jaipur in Rajasthan state of India. It is located in the City Palace complex. The temple is dedicated to Govind Dev Ji (Lord Krishna).This temple is among the 7 temples of Thakur of Vrindavan including Sri Radhavallabh ji, Shri Bankey Bihari Ji, Shri Govind Dev Ji and four others. The image of the deity (murti) was brought from Vrindavan here by Raja Sawai Jai Singh II, the founder of Jaipur. And this temple was built by mugal badshah Akabar.According to popular legend, Lord Krishna's image in the temple looks exactly like Krishna's form during his incarnation on Earth.

The deity originally belonged to Srila Rupa Goswami who was a disciple of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

Legend

According to the legend, the Image of Lord Govind Devji was also called "Bajrakrit"- indicating thereby that it was created by Bajranabh – The Great Grand Son of Lord Krishna. Some 5,000 years back when Shri Bajranabh was around 13 years old, he asked his Grand Mother (daughter-in-law of Lord Krishna) as to how Lord Shri Krishna looked like; Then He made an image as per the description given by her. She however, said that not all but the feet of that image looked like those of Lord Shri Krishna. He made another image, yet she said that the Chest looked like that of Lord Shri Krishna. Thereafter, He made the Third Image and looking at the same she veiled her face as a show of modesty, and remarked that the face of the deity was exactly like that of Lord Sri Krishna.

The first one came to be known as "Govind Devji". The second one was called as Lord "Gopinathji" and the Third One, the likeness of Krishna is LORD "Madan Mohanji". With passing of ages the glories of the Indian Culture were being forgotten and the sands of time kept piling up. Together with every other thing these pious divine images were also lost from the memories of people. Some 500 years ago, legend has it that Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu asked one of his disciples to excavate the idol of Govinda, which had been buried there to protect it from the Mughal marauders.

For Vaishnavites, particularly followers of Lord Krishna, this is one of the most important temples outside Vrindavan.

'Aartis' and 'Bhog' are offered seven times a day, when the deity is unveiled for 'Darshan'. Thousands of devotees visit the temple daily and an even larger number visit during Janmashtami.

Timings of the Govind Dev Ji Aarti

In Govind Dev Ji Temple there are 7 aartis in one day and in that time devotees can have a darshan of Lord govind^[1]

Festivals

As per Hindi Samvat Year, the following traditional festivals are celebrated:

Month of Chaitra: 1. From Chaitra Sudi 1 (Pratipada) to Chaitra Sudi 9 ( March–April–May ) (Navmi): Navratra 2. Chaitra Sudi 1 (1st day of Samvat Year,i.e.,New Year Day):Indian New Year Day; Worship of Elephants. 3.Chaitra Sudi 3 (Teej) : Sinjara – The famous Gangaur Festival 4.Chaitra Sudi 9 (Navmi): Ram Navmi; The Birth 1 Day of Lord Shri Ram 5.From Chaitra Sudi 12 (Dwadashi) to Baisakh Sudi 8 (Ashtami): Mesh Sankranti 6.On Chaitra Sudi 11 (Ekadashi): Phool Bangla (Flower Decoration), Decoration with Rose Flowers 7.From Chaitra Sudi 15 (Poornima-the full moon day) to Baisakh Sudi 15 (poornima): "Sheetal Bhog": Sheetal –Thal Bhog is offered.

Month of Baisakh & Jyestha : ( April–May–June & May–June–July ) 1. Baisakh Sudi 3 (Akshaya Tritiya). Chandan - Yatra. Saffron & Sandal Paste is applied to the 2 Divine Holy Images. 2. Baisakh Sudi 14 (Chaturdashi) – Narsingh Jayanti: Pakhal Bhog is offered. 3. Baisakh Sudi 15 (Poornima) to Jyeshtha Sudi 13 (Trayodashi): Jalyatra; The Divine Holy Images are ornamentally decorated with real flowers and placed under the water showers amidst different fountains 4.Jyestha Sudi 15 (Poornima): Snan Yatra A holly bath is given(vfHk"ksd) with Saffron+Rose Water+Cow Milk+Honey+Curd+Ghee+Boora(dust sugar)+Itra (b=). Thereafter Bhog of various dishes is offered.

Month of Asharh: 1.Asharh Sudi 2 (Dooj): Rath Yatra; Thakur shri ( June–July–August ) Gaur Govind (the holy Ashtadhatu Image of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhuji) is placed in the chariot 4 and taken to circumambulation(ifjdzek). Vaishnava Mandli follows Dancing & Enchanting "Harinam Sankirtan" After taking 3 rounds of the main temple, the chariot enters the Garbh Graha from the main entrance. 2.Asharh Sudi 11(ekadashi):Devshayani Ekadashi Thakur Saligramji is placed in the chariot and taken to the "Tulsi"(Brinda Devi) stand. After Abhishek, Thakur Saligramji comes back. 3.Asharh Sudi 15 (Poornima): Guru Poornima; The Disappearance ceremony of Shri Pad Sanatan Goswami is celebrated.

Month of Shravan: 1.From Shravan Sudi 2(dooj) to Shravan Sudi 15 (July-Aug.-Sep.) (poornima):The Festival Of Swings; Thakurji takes the ride on the Swings. 2.Shravan Sudi 3 (teej): Ghewar (a special sweet dish) bhog is offered. 3.Shravan Sudi 15(Poornima):Raksha Bandhan; The Rakhis (various ornamental strings) are tied to the wrists of the divine holy images. On this day the sisters tie "Rakhi" on the wrists of their brothers to save them from any sort of dangers.

Month of Bhadrapad: 1.Bhadva Budi 8 & 9 (Ashtmi & Navmi): ( Aug-Sep-Oct ) Shri Krishna Janmashtmi, the main festival of the year; Celebrations of Lord Kirshna's Birth are 6 made on Ashtami & Nandotsava on Navmi. Shobha Yatra(a huge procession through the Main markets of the City) takes place on Navmi evening. 2.Bhadva Sudi 8 (ashtami):Radha Ashtami; The festival of the birth of Adhya Shakti Radha Rani is celebrated and Chhapan Bhog (dishes of minimum 56 varieties) are offered to the deity. 3.Bhadva Sudi 15 (Poornima): Shrimad Bhagwatotsava; Bhagwat Katha Ayojan (Holy discourses on Shrimad Bhagwatji)

Month of Ashvin: 1.From Asoj Sudi 1(ekam) to Asoj Sudi 9 (Navmi): ( Sep-Oct-Nov ): Navratra Sthapna; Navratra Celebrations. 2.Asoj Sudi 10 (Dashmi): Vijaya Dashmi or Dashahara Celebrations 7 Kheer Bhog (Sweet Dish made with Rice & Milk) is offered. 3.Asoj Sudi 15(Poornima): Sharad Poornima Celebrations; A special additional "Jhanki" (Darshan) is opened after the rising of Moon and "Kheer Bhog" is offered & distributed to the devotees. 4.From Asoj Sudi 15(Poornima) to Kartik Sudi 15 (Poornima):Aakashi Deepak; After evening, every day "Aakashi Deepak"(a holy heavenly Lamp) is lighted.

Month of Kartik: 1.From Asoj Sudi 15(Poornima) to Kartik Sudi 15(Main ( Oct-Nov-Dec ) Punctual Sewa Pooja Month); Damodar Bhog (Malpua-Kheer) is offered daily. 2.Kartik Budi 15 (Amavasya):Deepawali Celebrations 3.Kartik Sudi 1 (Pratipada): Annakut Celebrations; "Chhappan Bhog" are offered on this day. 4.Kartik Sudi 8 (Ashtami): Gopashtami; The Holy "Cow" is worshipped 5.Kartik Sudi 15 :(End of Punctual Sewa Pooja Month) Ras Poornima Celebrations with special additional Jhanki-Darshan; After Moon-Rise, "Kheer Bhog" is offered.

Month of Marg-Sheersha (Mangsar) & Paush  : ( Nov-Dec-Jan 1.Mangasar Sudi 12 (Dwadashi):Vyanjan Dwadashi Dec-Jan-Feb ) Celebrations; Special Bhog is offered in a Special Jhanki. In all the Jhankis, a special "Kapoor Aarti" 9 (Aarti with Camphor) is done. Throughout this whole month in the Mangla Jhanki, holy bath (Abhishek) is given to the deities daily 2.Mangsar Sudi 15 to Paush Sudi 15 ( Poornima ) : Paush Khichdi Bhog (both Sweet & Saline) is offered. 3.Paush Budi 1 (Ekam) to Paush Sudi 15 (Poornima) : Paush Bada Bhog made of Chaulai Dal (a pulse) is offered & then prasadi distributed among the devotees

Month of Magh: 1.Magh Budi 7(Saptami):Posh Sankranti(Mah Magh ( Jan-Feb-Mar ) Punyakal,i.e., sacred period of time of the month of Magh ). Makar Sankranti is celebrated on Magh Budi 11 Saptami. On this day "Til (a cereal) Bhog" is offered. 2.Magh Sudi 1 (Pratipada) to Magh Sudi 15 (Poonam):Peen Ka Laddoo (A sweet dish made from rice-flour & dust of sugar) is offered. 3.Magh Sudi 5 (Panchami): Basant Panchami Celebrations (Patotsav); The ceremonies of holy bathing (Abhishek of Thakur Shri Govind Devji) & worship of Devi Saraswati ( goddess of intelligence & education ), take place. All Basanti Paridhan ( yellow colour robes ) are put on by the deities . Thereafter, Bhog as usual is offered. 4. Magh Sudi 7 ( Saptami ): Bhanu Saptami (Surya Saptami);The"Advityacharya Mahaprabhu Jayanti" is celebrated 5.Magh Sudi 13 ( Trayodashi ): Nityananda Mahaprabhu Patotsava Ceremonies take place. Kheer & Malpua Bhog is offered.

Month of Falgun: 1.Falguni Budi 14 (Chaudas): Maha Shiv Ratri ( Feb-Mar-April ) Celebrations: Pooja-Aarti done by the Temple Management in Mandir Shri Gopeshwar Mahadeo. 2.From Falgun Budi 10 (Dashmi) to Falguni Sudi 15 (Poornima): Rachna Fagotsava / Holika Utsava; From Falgun Budi Dashmi "Rachna Fagotsava Jhankis are made using special type of dust colours; Cultural Programmes are organised on Falgun Sudi Ashtami, Navmi & Dashmi; From Ekadashi to Chaudas and Poornima, Fagotsava – the Festival of "Holi" is celebrated. Bhog is offered as usual . 3.Falguni Sudi 11 (Ekadashi): Aanwala Ekadashi; Worship of Aanwala plantis done in temple campus. 4.Falgun Sudi 15 ( Poornima ) :Shri Gaurang Mahaprabhu Patotsava celebrations;In the evening 'Holy Bath' (Abhishek) is given to the Image of Maha Prabhuji and the "Panchamrit" is distributed to all Devotees.

References

External links

• Rajasthan tourism website
• Govind Dev Ji Temple official website
• http://amerjaipur.in/

Coordinates: 26°52′35″N 75°47′31″E / 26.8762808°N 75.791839°E / 26.8762808; 75.791839