Shri Gopeshwar Mandir

Once while in deep meditation on Mount Kailash, Lord Shiva heard the sweet vibration of Krishna playing His divine flute. His samadhi suddenly disturbed. Immediately he came to Vrindavan where the night of Maha Raas had arrived. Shankar Ji came to Vrindavan to enter in the Maharas, but stopped at the gate of Maha Raas. Extremely beautiful Braj Gopis and Vrinda Devi stopped Shri Shankar (Best among the Vaishnavas) saying: “In this private Raas Mandal, No males except Krishna are allowed entry.” The spirit of Rasa is to please Raseshwari Shri Radha as a sakhi (friend) so as to maximize the bliss or Rasa Ras. Lord Shiv was left with no option but to sit at the entry point of Vrindavan and watching the magnificent Leela of Divinity Determined as he was, Lord Shiv meditated intensely on Raseshwari Shri Radhey Herself seeking her grace. Knowing His determination Radha Rani, the merciful universal Mother, dispatched her confident Lalita to initiate Shiv in Sakhibhav. Lalita Devi said if you desire to enjoy the Maha Raas then he should take the shelter of Shri Radha Rani, bathe in the Mansarovar, only then you can enter. Following the footsteps of her, On taking the dip, Shiv emerged as a young charming gopi, by the Grace of Radha Rani, he attained the form of a beautiful "Shivani Gopi" quickly and then he entered the Maha Raas. During the MahaRaas, Shri Krishna enquired about the new Gopi. Lord Krishna asked Lalita Devi to bring her to Him. When the Lord Krishn saw Lord Shiva as "Shivani" gopi, He laughed heartily and addressed him: "O Gopeshwar, I am very pleased to see you in the form of a gopi. Therefore, since you have already participated and fulfilled your desire, now I offer you the post of Raas Dwaar Paal (Gatekeeper of the Maha Raas). I also give you the blessing that henceforth, all the gopis will offer respect to you and seek your blessing to get Gopi Bhava. Even today, Shri Gopeshwar Mahadev gives boon to the sadhaks to achieve the top most bliss of Vrindavan and bless the sadhaks. Since then, Lord Shiva as Gopeshwar Mahadev lives in the Nikunja at the bank of Yamuna River near Vanshi Vata as four main Rasik Mahadevs of Braj forever and gives boon to all the devotees to achieve Gopi Bhava. Srila Sanatana Gosvami, who resided in Vrndavana near the old Sri Madana-Mohana temple, would go daily to see Sri Gopeshwar Mahadeva at his temple. All Glories to Gopeshwar Mahadev. All Glories to Shri Radha Krishna. 

Location: 
Lord Shiv is worshipped as Gopeshwar Mahadev in Vrindavan. The temple is situated near Vamshivat in Vrindavan and at the Bank of Yamuna River.