Govinda Dev is known as the king of Vrindavan, whose deity was moved to Jaipur in 1690 to save Him from the invasions by the Mughals.
2024.10.14 (Vrindavan Today News): The heritage lovers of Vrindavan is full of appreciation of the government’s move to illuminate the Govinda Dev Temple of Vrindavan. The Govinda Dev Temple of Vrindavan has become the first temple to be illuminated at night in the Agra Circle of Uttar Pradesh. In a significant move by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the 450 years old monument of Vrindavan has become the first temple in the Agra Circle to be illuminated at night. The temple, which remains open to visitors until 10 PM, is set to become a beacon of light and architectural beauty, attracting both pilgrims and tourists.
The ASI has been working for the past two years to light up two of Vrindavan’s historic temples—Govinda Dev and Madan Mohan temples. The lighting work at the Govinda Dev Temple is now 85% complete, with trials already underway. Once fully illuminated, the temple, located near the Rangji Temple, is expected to draw even more visitors. In addition to the lighting, the ASI has been enhancing facilities at the site to improve the visitor experience.
The Agra Circle, established in 1885, currently oversees nine districts: Agra, Aligarh, Etah, Etawah, Firozabad, Hathras, Mainpuri, Mathura, and Kasganj. Of the approximately 150 monuments in this circle, the Govind Dev Temple will be the first to be illuminated at night.
A Temple Steeped in History
The Govinda Dev Temple, made from red sandstone, stands as a magnificent example of Indian temple architecture. Its construction was inspired by the great saint Rupa Goswami and was commissioned by Raja Man Singh of Jaipur in 1570. According to historical records, the original seven-storey temple had a lamp that burned with over 40 kg of ghee, and its light could be seen from miles away.
However, the temple’s grandeur caught the attention of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, who ordered its destruction. His soldiers demolished the upper four storeys of the temple, though the idol of Thakur Govind Dev Ji was safely moved to Jaipur, where it remains enshrined to this day.
With lighting trials already underway, the project is expected to be completed within the next 20 days, marking a new chapter in the temple’s illustrious history.
