2026.01.21 (Vrindavan Today News): Shri Madan Mohan Ji, the revered deity of Shri Sanatan Goswami pada and the undisputed sovereign of the hearts of the people of Karauli, was ceremonially installed in the present temple at Karauli 278 years ago, on Magh Shukla 2, Vikram Samvat 1805 (1748 CE), with full Vedic rites and traditions.
The present temple was newly constructed by the valiant ruler of Karauli, King Gopal Singh. In its central sanctum, Shri Madan Mohan Ji was enshrined as the honored divine guest of Karauli. In the left sanctum, Shri Radha Ji and Lalita Sakhi were installed, while in the right sanctum, Shri Gopal Ji, the presiding deity of the royal house, was consecrated.
The entire Pāṭotsava (ceremonial installation) of all the deities was personally overseen by King Gopal Singh and was conducted by Goswami Subaldas of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition. The ritual bathing (abhisheka) and worship of the deities were traditionally performed by Goswami Subaldas under the guidance of Pandit Gangavishan Katara.
Historical Background
During the reign of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, his policy of religious intolerance led to severe hardships for Hindu places of worship. In 1669 CE, a sweeping imperial decree ordered the demolition of numerous temples and the prohibition of religious fairs. Faced with this grave threat, the Vaishnava acharyas of Braj undertook organized efforts to protect the sacred deities.
In 1718 CE, the ruler of Jaipur, Sawai Jai Singh II, met Goswami Subaldas and expressed his desire to bring Shri Govind Ji, Shri Gopinath Ji, and Shri Madan Mohan Ji to Jaipur for their protection. After imperial permissions were obtained for the Agra and Ajmer provinces, the three deities were ceremonially brought from Vrindavan to Jaipur in 1723 CE with royal grandeur and were installed in Roop Bagh, Jaipur. Sawai Jai Singh II personally received the three forms of Lord Krishna at the boundary of Jaipur, demonstrating his deep devotion.
Madan Mohan Ji’s Arrival in Karauli
King Gopal Singh of Karauli was a devoted Krishna bhakta and the brother of Raj Kanwar, who was married to Sawai Jai Singh II. Upon receiving a divine dream-command (svapnādeśa) of Shri Madan Mohan Ji, King Gopal Singh requested the Jaipur ruler to send the deity to Karauli. Accepting this request, Sawai Jai Singh II formally worshipped the deity and dispatched Shri Madan Mohan Ji’s palanquin to Karauli on Phalgun Krishna Chaturthi, Vikram Samvat 1799 (1742 CE).
At the border of the Jaipur and Karauli states, in Shyaroli village, land and endowments were offered for the service of Thakur Ji.
Before reaching Karauli, the sacred vigraha of Madan Mohan Ji was kept for two days near Anjani Mata, and for another two days at Diwan Bagh bungalow. Thereafter, on Vaishakh Shukla 13, Vikram Samvat 1800 (1743 CE), the deity was temporarily enshrined in the temple of Shri Gopal Ji located in the Rawal’s Amaniya Bhandar.
Within five years, the construction of the new grand temple was completed, and Shri Madan Mohan Ji was formally consecrated in the present shrine.
Present Celebration
This year on 20th January, the 279th Pāṭotsava of Shri Madan Mohan Ji was celebrated with full ritual observances and traditional grandeur in the present temple. This sacred occasion not only commemorates a historical installation but also reflects the enduring faith, devotion, and cultural heritage of Karauli, where Madan Mohan Ji continues to reign as the eternal beloved deity of the people.
