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Radha Raman Temple: Shri Radha Raman Lal temple is one of the most ancient temples in Vrindavan. Here, Lord Krishna is worshipped as Shri Radha Raman Laal - “The one who pleases Shrimati Radha Rani”. The self-manifested god from Shaligram Shila with an enigmatic smile on his face, is said to be present in the temple with the original Shaligram deity of Krishna. Thousands of devotees come to have darshans of the magnificent Lord at the temple complex. Let us check out some interesting facts about this sacred temple located in Braj Dham. 

Shri Radha Raman Laal diety is a self-manifested idol of Lord Krishna out of the revered Shaligram Shila. (Image Source: Instagram/Shreeradharamanlaalji)

Radha Raman Temple: Interesting Facts About This Sacred Temple 

- Legend Behind The Temple - The sacred Radha Raman Temple was founded by Gopal Bhatta Goswami around 500 years ago. At the age of thirty, he arrived in Vrindavan. After the absence of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, he felt distant from the Lord. Consequently, he dreamed that the Lord told him to go to Nepal to obtain his darshana. When Gopala Bhatta Swami went to the notorious Kali Gandaki River in Nepal to take a bath, he discovered that six Shaligrams had gotten into his water pot. They continued getting back into the pot even after he attempted to dump them back into the river. He discovered and brought with him a total of twelve Shaligram Shilas. He worshipped them on the day of Poornima, placed them in a wicker basket, and then retired to rest. When he opened them the following morning, he discovered that there were just eleven Shilas and a flute-playing Lord Krishna idol. Essentially, it was one of the Shilas that had transformed into Radha Raman, a deity through self-manifestation. This temple tells the tale of Radha Raman's appearance and the location of the original Shila.

- Among The 7 Prominent Temples Of Vrindavan - Of the seven temples dedicated to Thakur of Vrindavan, the Radha Raman Temple is regarded as one of the most important. It is very significant to Gaudiya Vaishnavism adherents.

- No Diety Of Shrimati Radha Rani In Temple Premises - When the temple was first constructed in 1542, it was exquisitely designed. However, Shah Behari Lallji restored it in 1826. There is no Radha Rani goddess at the temple, despite the fact that it is named after and dedicated to Radha Rani. The only object Krishna has next to her to indicate her presence is a crown. 

ALSO READ: 7 Goswami Temples Of Vrindavan And Interesting Facts Surrounding Them

- The Sacred Bonfire At Temple Premises - There is a belief that inside the temple premises of Shri Radha Raman temple, a bonfire has been ignited for 500 years on its own that doesn’t extinguish. Legend has it that Gopal Bhatt Goswami, a follower of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, manifested the Deity form of Radha Raman Ji through the power of devotion. It's said that Gopal Bhatt ji saved the havan wood and used the power of just singing the mantra to light the fire for preparing bhog when God appeared. That fire hasn't stopped burning since then. Whatever the circumstances, that fire has not been extinguished by nature or by any human. Thakur ji's prasad is cooked on the same fire in Radha Raman temple.