Radha Vallabh Mandir, Mathura Overview

Situated near Gotam Nagar on the cliff near Bankey Bihari temple is the Radha Vallabh Mandir, one of the seven temples of Thakur of Vrindavan. This temple is the epitome of the sacred and divine love of Radha and Krishna, displayed in the rarest form 'Ras-bhakti'. Enshrined by Lord Krishna, the temple does not have a deity of Radha. Instead, it has a crown placed next to Lord Krishna to signify her presence.

Radha Vallabh Mandir stands out due to its striking architecture and magnificence decor. Constructed in 1585, the Radha Vallabh temple is one of the oldest and long-living temples, majestically built using red sandstones at a time when they were used for building only high palaces, imperial buildings and royal forts. The wall of the temple is 10 feet thick and are pierced in 2 stages.

The Radha Vallabh Mandir is decked up for celebrations on the birth anniversary of Sri Harivansh Chandra Mahaprabhu as well as on Radha Ashtami. Pilgrims and devotees from all over the country visit the temple to witness the mystery and legends that this temple holds within.

Legend of Radha Vallabh Mandir

Legends go that the idol of Shri Radha Vallabhji Maharaj which Shri Atmadev received from Lord Shiva was a form of blessing from him in response to his arduous prayers and devotion. In the temple, there is no physical idol of Radha Rani, the beloved of Lord Krishna, but instead a crown near his idol to signify her presence. According to legends, only devotees with devotion and purity in their hearts can see the divine idol.

It is told that Raja Mansingh was the first to contract this temple, but after learning the legend, which says that whoever constructs this temple dies within a year, he decided not to go ahead with it. Sundardas Bhatnagar had it constructed and got the royal permission to use red sandstone as well. He died within a year after leading the construction with his personal treasure and the help of Abdul Rahim Khankhana and Akbar.

Idol of Radha Vallabh

The main idol of this temple is Shri Radha, who Goswami Hit Harivansh Mahaprabhu was devoted to. He devoted himself to serve Krishna and Radha Rani. The temple enshrines an idol within the temple which is considered to embody both Radha and Krishna, signifying that whilst they had two bodies, their soul was one. Radha Vallabhji means Krishna and Radha in one.

When the ancestor of Atmadeva Brahman had performed prayers to Lord Shiva on Mount Kailash, Lord Shiva gave him the idol of Shri Radha Vallabhji as a blessing and it was Shri Hit Harivansh Mahaprabhu who carried this idol and set it up on the Oonchi Thaur or High cliff on the bank of River Yamuna.

How to Reach Radha Vallabh Mandir

Located in Gotam Nagar, Radha Vallabh Mandir can be reached by local buses, taxis and auto-rickshaws. There are cheap shared autos for visiting Mathura and Vrindavan. You can also take a rickshaw ride to the temple from Chhatikara, which costs around INR 10. From Chhatikara, on heading south-east on NH2, turn towards Bhaktivedanta Swami Marg and then turn left to find Radha Vallabh temple.