The Gopeshwar Mahadev Temple in Vrindavan is a very holy place. It is the only place where Lord Shiva is worshipped in female form. Legend says that Lord Shiva came to experiance Maharas in form of a Gopi and hence became Gopeshwar Mahadev. He is also considered as Kotval of Vrindavan.
Vrindavan, often hailed as the city of temples, boasts countless sacred sites, each with its unique story. However, certain temples stand as icon, deeply connected with the very identity of this holy city. Undoubtedly, Gopeshwar Mahadev Temple in Vrindavan is definitely one such iconic shrine.
History
Once, Lord Shiva was deeply meditating on Mount Kailash. At that time, he heard the sweet sound of Krishna playing his flute. This sound suddenly woke him up from his meditation. Right away, Lord Shiva went to Vrindavan. It was the night of the Maha Raas dance. Shankar Ji wanted to join this dance, but he stopped at the entrance. Very beautiful Gopis and Vrinda Devi stopped Shri Shankar, who is the best among the Vaishnavas. They said, “Only Krishna can enter this special Raas dance. No other men are allowed.” The point of the Rasa dance is to please Shri Radha, Krishna’s love, like a friend. This makes the happiness of the dance even greater.
So, Lord Shiva had no choice but to sit at the edge of Vrindavan. He watched the wonderful dance of God. Lord Shiva was determined. He meditated very hard on Shri Radha, asking for her kindness. Radha Rani, the kind mother of the universe, knew what he wanted. She sent her close friend Lalita to help Shiva become a sakhi (friend of Radha). Lalita Devi told him that if he wanted to enjoy the Maha Raas, he needed to seek Shri Radha’s help and bathe in the Mansarovar lake. Only then could he enter.
Following Lalita’s words, Shiva took a dip in the lake. By Radha Rani’s grace, he came out as a young and beautiful Gopi. He quickly took the form of a beautiful “Shivani Gopi” and then entered the Maha Raas.
The Raas Dwarpal
During the dance, Shri Krishna saw the new Gopi and asked about her. Lord Krishna asked Lalita Devi to bring her to him. When Lord Krishna saw Lord Shiva as “Shivani” Gopi, he laughed happily. He said, “O Gopeshwar, I am very happy to see you as a Gopi. Because you have joined the dance and fulfilled your wish, I will now give you the duty of Raas Dwaar Paal (Gatekeeper of the Maha Raas). I also bless you so that all the Gopis will respect you and ask for your blessing to get Gopi Bhava (the feeling of being Radha’s friend).”
Even today, Shri Gopeshwar Mahadev blesses those who want to reach the highest happiness of Vrindavan and helps them get Gopi Bhava. Since that time, Lord Shiva as Gopeshwar Mahadev lives in the Nikunja forest by the Yamuna River near Vanshi Vata. He is one of the four main Rasik Mahadevs of Braj forever and blesses all devotees who want to achieve Gopi Bhava. Srila Sanatana Gosvami, who lived in Vrindavan near the old Sri Madana-Mohana temple, would go every day to see Sri Gopeshwar Mahadeva at his temple.
Timings
Morning – 7:00 AM to 12:30 AM
Evening – 4:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Timings may slightly vary as per seasons.