Braja Mohana temple is one of the main Gaudiya Vaishnava temples in the holy dhama Vrindavana. This temple is strongly associated with Srila Narottama Dasa Thakura, Ramchandra Kaviraja and the Gaudiya Vaishnava movement in East Bengal (now Bangladesh).
The temple hosts Sri Sri Radha Braja Mohana deities worshiped by Narottama Dasa and his shiksha disciple Ramachandra Kaviraja.
The samadhi of Santosha Raya Maharaja, a great Vaishnava king of Kheturi in East Bengal and a follower of Srila Narottama Dasa Thakura, is also present within the temple complex.
The temple is located in eastern Vrindavana, near the famous Lala Babu temple and Jagannatha Ghata.
History of Braja Mohana
During later half of 16th century and after the disappearance of Lord Caitanya, Srila Narottama Dasa Thakura Mahashaya, the leader of gaudiya sect at that time, took Mahaprabhu’s message of congregational chanting of Hare Krishna mahamantra and pure devotion for Lord Krishna, to East Bengal.
There he preached so strongly that whole the region was changed into Vaishnavism, barring the atheists who always envy Lord and His devotees.
He also organised a festival at Kheturi, where his cousin and disciple king Santosha Raya was ruling. The Kheturi festival was very large occasion. Vaishnavas cme from various lands to join the celebration.
At this time Srila Narottama Dasa Thakura istalled five deities of Lord- Radha Vallabhikanta, Radha Krishna, Gauranga Mahaprabhu, Radha Braja Mohana and Radhakanta.
When the the most exalted devotees including Jahanva Mata, Syamananda Pandita, Srinivasa Acharya, Govinda Dasa Kaviraja and Ramachandra Kviraja of Sri Caitanya saw these beautiful deities, their tears started flowing and they danced in ecstasy.
For some time all the five deities were worshiped at Kheturi. But when Srila ramachandra Kaviraja who was strongly devoted to Braja Mohana deity, decided to go to to Vrindavana, he requested his spiritual master Narottama to give responsibility of serving the deity to him.
Narottama saw the devotion of Ramachandra and agreed. So Ramachandra took the deity to Vrindavana and installed Him at His current location. He worshiped the eity and remained in Vrindavana until his disappearance.
Things To Do In This Temple
The temple was established about 400 years ago, and with time it fell inte disrepair. In 2011, the followers of Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanata Swami Prabhupada (ISKCON devotees) took the responsibilty to renovate this temple of Narottama Dasa Thakura’s life and soul Sri Braja Mohana.
So the ISKCON devotees repaired and improved the temple to its present state.
As you enter the doorway of the temple, (which is opposite to Gyana Gudari park with an ancient sacred tree) you will see a Samadhi. This is the tomb of king Satosha Raya who became Narottama Dasa Thakura’s disciple and helped in preaching love of Godhead.
On the altar one may see Krishna or Braja Mohana (meaning – the enchanter of the people of Vraja), with His eternal consort Srimati Radharani. With Them is the deity of Narottama Dasa Thakura, who serves as Vilasa Manjari in Krishna’s pastimes in spiritual world. Vilasa Manjari is one of the associates of Srimati Radharani.
Practical Guide
The temple of Braja Mohana is in the Gyana Gudari area of Vrindavana. It is on the road going from the renowned Lala Babu temple to Jagannatha Ghata.
There is a large number of auto-rikshwas and electronic-rikshaws in Vrindavana. The drivers do not know about this temple but they can take you to Gyana Gudari or Lala Babu temple which are very near to it.
Vrindavana can be accessed easily from Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, Mathura and other big cities of Vrindavana. The city is connected to Delhi and Agra via NH2.
Other places you may see in Vrindavana are Govindadevaji temple, ISKCON Krishna Balarama temple, Madana Mohana temple, Radha Gokulananda temple (it contains Samadhi of Narottama Dasa Thakura), HKM’s Vrindavana Chandrodaya temple, Lala Babu temple, Gyana Gudari tree, Jaganntha Ghata and Radha Damodara temple.
Jaya Radha Braja Mohana!
Jaya Narottama Dasa! Jaya Ramachandra Kaviraja!
