Jaya Gora!
Well, here we are at the final mandir of the visit, Sri Sri Gaura Madan Gopal Mandir. This is where the Goswami’s live with their families, and this is the birthplace of Sri Raghunandan Thakur. The sign above the entrance says that Narahari’s bhajan kutir was here, but it was not shown to us. Also the famous Gopinath is located on the altar in this mandir. Dilip Raya Goswami introduced us to his brother Banku Vilas Thakur Goswami and their wives. Dilip wanted his brother to speak Gaura Narahari katha to us, but I think he felt a bit uneasy about his English language skills and declined, asking Dilip to just continue speaking. From what I gathered his brother Banku Vilas is a very learned Vaisnava and knows all the lilas pertaining to Narahari, Raghunandan and the other Sri Khandavasis. Tea was served and Dilip Raya told us the lila about Raghunandan and Gopinath in English. He showed us a picture of their gurudeva, Sri Balaram Vilas Thakur, and pointed out a verse which was written around the picture–ananta brahmaNDaA mAjhe tirtha gaNan | sarbbatirtha sAr bhAi zrI guru caraNa || “O Brother! The most excellent of all the tirthas within the unlimited universes is the lotus-feet of Sri Guru.” He liked that verse a great deal. I posted this photo in Pt.1 of this series. After that we all climbed back into the Sumo and headed off to Ekachakra. Dilip Raya Goswami was going to show me his library and answer some questions I had, but before I knew it, the time ran out and we had to go. On the way out I did get to see the room my gurudeva would stay in when he came to Sri Khanda to perform bhajan and do kirtan. The Goswami’s were very cordial and invited me to come back and stay for a while to do bhajan. I certainly intend to take them up on their offer. Jaya Gora! Jaya Narahari!
Entrance to Gaura Radha Madan Gopal Mandir
~ Gaura Radha Madan Gopal ~
Group photo on the porch of the Goswami's home
Murti of baby Raghunandan on the lap of his mother
Recent Comments