Shree Gopesvara Mahadeva Mandir

Shree Gopesvara Mahadeva Mandir is a Shiva temple one finds in the midst of a plethora of Krishna temples scattered all around in the holy town of Vrindavan. One of the oldest living temples in the town, the temple pays a tribute to the great Lord Shiva who had come to Vrindavan to see the Gopis engaged with Lord Krishna in their loving act of rasalila (divine musical dance). However, he was denied entry since Vrindavan would allow herself to be home to only one male―Lord Krishna and no one else. Firm and deeply devoted, Lord Shiva pleaded for benevolence and was consequently blessed by Sri Vrinda Devi to take the form of a charming Gopi. In the Gopi avatar, Shiva could now attend the rasalila along with his beloved Lord Krishna who later christened Him with the beautiful name of Gopeshwara, the same name that continues to be revered till date. The temple is simple in built devoid of any fancy ornamentations and houses the deity of Shiva as a Shiv Linga that was initially installed by Vajranabha. Decorated finely with flowers, fruits and clothes, the Shiv-lingam is a spring of great joy to all those who come to seek the benign blessings of the beautiful Lord Shiva incarnated in Vrindavan.