Madan Mohan Temple in Vrindavan, also known as Sri Radha Madana Mohan Temple – is the oldest temple in town!
Located close to Kaliya Ghat, on Dwadashaditya hill overlooking Yamuna River, this temple stands tall at 50ft high. It’s said that Lord Krishna rested here after conquering Kaliya Naag, and now, Radha and Lalita Sakhi are worshipped here along with Madana Mohan (Sri Krishna).
Despite being so old, the craftsmanship is exquisite. The central tower houses idols of Radha, Krishna, and Lalita Sakhi, while the right tower houses the bhajan kutir and samadhi of Sri Sanatana Goswami. The left tower remains closed, but don’t worry, there’s plenty to see inside. The Advaita Vat, the oldest banyan tree in Vrindavan, is also housed inside the temple.
Now, be warned, to reach the main temple, you’ll need to climb a long flight of stairs. But once you’re there, the view of Vrindavan is stunning! And if you’re worried about parking, don’t be – there’s ample space nearby.
Here’s a fun fact: the temple is dedicated to Krishna, and it’s believed that King Gopal Singh was instructed by Krishna in his dream to bring the Madan Mohan idol from Vrindavan to Rajasthan before the attack of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb on Vrindavan temples. So, the king of Karauli brought the original idol of Madan Mohan with him overnight and got this temple constructed in Karauli. And to protect idols of Krishna from Mughals, two idols were brought from Vrindavan and placed one at Karauli and another at Jaipur. Who knew temple idols needed protection too?
Now, let’s talk about the Prasad – devotees used to put Jugal Prasad, a kind of Bhog in which they offer Laddu and Kachauri, and the queue for the same is around two years long! So, plan accordingly if you want to offer your Prasad.
Finally, the temple is a must-visit during festivals like Krishna Janmashtami, Radhastami, Gopashtami, and Holi, where devotees from across Rajasthan come for the “Darshan” of deities. And during these important festivals, the temple premises are decorated with a huge amount of flowers, making it a sight to behold.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your travel buddies, and let’s go explore the oldest temple in Vrindavan – the Madan Mohan Temple!