30/11/2024
Shri Radha Rani Temple, Barsana.
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Radha Rani Temple is originally believed to be established by King Vajranabh (great-grandson of Krishna) around 5000 years ago. The temple is said to be in ruins; the icons were rediscovered by Narayan Bhatt (a disciple of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu) and a temple was built in 1675 AD by Raja Bir Singh Deo. Later, the present structure of temple was built by Narayan Bhatt with the help of Raja Todarmal, one of the governors in the Akbar’s court.
There is also a popular legend associated with the temple. According to it, Krishna’s father Nanda and Radha’s father Vrishbhanu were close friends. While Nanda was head of Gokula, Vrishbhanu was head of Rawal. However, fed up with the atrocities of Mathura’s king Kamsa, both of them with their people shifted to Nandgaon and Barsana. Nanda made Nandishvar hill his home and Vrishbhanu made Bhanugarh hill his permanent abode, which also ultimately became the abode of Radha. Presently, in both the twin towns of Barsana and Nandgaon, there stands the historical temples dedicated to Radha and Krishna on the peak of Nandishvar and Bhanugarh hills respectively. While Nandgaon temple is called the Nand Bhawan, Barsana temple is named after Radha, called Radha Rani temple or Shriji (Shreeji temple).
