3. Radha Damodar Temple
Objectives:
Objective 2: To learn about the establishment of Shri Radha-Damodar Temple in Jaipur.
Objective 1: To understand the historical background of Shri Radha-Damodar Temple in Jaipur and its deities.
In 1733, during the reign of King Sawai Jai Singh, the sacred deities of Shri Radha-Damodar and the Govardhan-shila were brought from Vrindavan to Jaipur. This relocation occurred during a time of intense religious persecution under Emperor Aurangzeb, when many Deities were moved to safer regions to protect them from desecration.
Shri Naval Lal Goswami, the sole sevayat at the time, enshrined the Deities in the haveli (residence) of Shri Himmat Ram Nazir at Chaura Rasta, Jaipur. This haveli later became the present-day Shri Radha-Damodar Temple.
The temple is located about 60 meters (200 feet) down Chaura Rasta Road from Tripoliya Bazaar Road, on the right side. It is approximately a ten-minute walk from the Radha-Govinda Temple. When facing the temples, Radha-Damodar Temple is on the left, with another temple adjacent to it.
On the main altar, there are two sets of Deities. The smaller set is the original Radha-Damodar Deities worshipped by Srila Jiva Goswami in Vrindavan. To their left is a Govardhan-shila said to have been worshipped by Srila Sanatana Goswami. On a separate altar to the left of the main one are the Deities of Lakshmi Narasimha and Prahlada Maharaja—Prahlada can be seen only upon close observation. The temple also features beautiful paintings depicting Krishna’s pastimes.
Objective 2: To learn about the establishment of Shri Radha-Damodar Temple in Jaipur.
The Radha Damodar Temple in Vrindavan was established by Jiva Goswami in 1542, and the original larger deities were later moved to Jaipur for a period due to Aurangzeb’s invasion, eventually returning to Vrindavan in 1739. The deities currently residing in the Jaipur temple are considered Pratibha-murtis, or substitute deities.
The original, small deity of Damodar that was hand carved by Sri Rupa Goswami is still in the Jaipur Radha Damodar temple.
Objective 3: To understand the establishment of Radha Damodar Temple in Vridavan and journey of its original deities.
Establishment in Vrindavan:
The Radha Damodar Temple in Vrindavan was established by Jiva Goswami in the year 1542, at Seva Kunj.
Temporary Shift to Jaipur:
During the reign of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, who was known for his iconoclastic policies, many deities from Vrindavan, including the original Radha Damodar deities, were moved to Jaipur for safety.
Return to Vrindavan:
The original Radha Damodar deities were brought back to Vrindavan in 1739 CE, after the situation in Vrindavan became more conducive.
