Prem Mandir Vrindavan

Prem Mandir

Prem Mandir from Main Gate

Prem Mandir from Main Gate
Prem Mandir
Location in Uttar Pradesh
Name
Devanagari प्रेम मंदिर, वृंदावन
Geography
Coordinates 27°34′21″N 77°40′21″E / 27.5724669°N 77.6724919°ECoordinates: 27°34′21″N 77°40′21″E / 27.5724669°N 77.6724919°E
Country India
State Uttar Pradesh
District Mathura
Location Vrindavan
Elevation 169.77 m (557 ft)
Culture
Primary deity Sita Rama and Radha Krishna
Architecture
Architectural styles Rajasthani Somnath Gujarati architecture
History and governance
Date built 2012

Prem Mandir is a religious and spiritual complex situated on a 54-acre site on the outskirts of Vrindavan, Mathura, India. It is dedicated to Shri Krishna. The temple structure was established by Fifth Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj Kripalu Maharaj.[1] The word Jagadguru (Spiritual Master of the whole world) has been around for a very long time. In fact, in the Mahabharata, Arjun called Shri Krishna Jagadguru. Even in various scriptures, Shri Krishna has been addressed as Jagadguru - "Shri Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum". Figures of Shri Krishna and his followers depicting important events surrounding the Lord’s existence cover the main temple.[2] In Kaliyuga (the present Dark Age), when an increasing number of imposters started misguiding the general public with falsely interpreted scriptural teachings and philosophies, scholars recognised the need to confer the title of Jagadguru to those divine personalities who display unparalleled mastery over all Vedic scriptures and bring about a spiritual revolution in the minds of people. The importance of this title can only be put into perspective by acknowledging the fact that in the last 5000 years, only five descended divine personalities have been given the title of the original Jagadguru – Adi Jagadguru Shankaracharya, Jagadguru Nimbarkacharya, Jagadguru Ramanujacharya and Jagadguru Madhvacharya. The fifth one being Jagadguruttam Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj.

An historical event took place in January 1957 when Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj gave a profound series of lectures at the invitation of the Kashi Vidvat Parishad, a body of 500 of the topmost Vedic scholars of India who collectively represent the seat of spiritual learning. Shri Maharaj Ji spoke for ten days revealing the secrets of the Hindu scriptures. He reconciled the apparent contradictions between the various Vedic scriptures, and the differences between the views of the previous Jagadgurus, to reveal the true path to God-realisation for the welfare of all humankind. With profound admiration, the scholars accepted that his knowledge was deeper than the combined knowledge of all 500 of them put together. They unanimously acclaimed him as Jagadguru, the Spiritual Master of the world. They further added that he was "Jagadguruttam," or Supreme amongst all the Jagadgurus. Among the various accolades that they showered upon him was "Bhakti-Yog Rasavatar", or the personification of the Bliss of devotion.

The foundation stone of Prem Mandir was laid on January 2001 by Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj Kripalu Maharaj[3] and the inauguration ceremony took place from 15 February to 17 February 2012.[4] The temple was opened to public on 17 February. The cost was 150 crore rupees ($23 million).[5] The presiding deity are Shri Radha Govind (Radha Krishn) and Shri Sita Ram. A 73,000 square feet, pillar-less, dome shaped satsang hall is being constructed next to Prem Mandir, which will accommodate 25,000 people at a time.[6]

Construction

The Vrindavan site was developed by Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj himself whose main ashram was at Vrindavan.[7]

Work started here on 14 January 2001. More than 1000 craftsmen, artisans and specialists from various parts of the country have been toiling day and night to create a pure marble temple in the original Som Nath style. It has taken 11 years and expanses over Rs. 150 crore. 30,000 tons of Italian marble, carved with specialized KUKA robotic machines, have been used in the construction. The length of the temple is 185 feet and the width is 135 feet.[8] The influence of south Indian culture of craftsmanship can be seen in the Temple. The designing work has been done by the Suman Ray Trivedi Sompura from Gujarat. It is a massive marble structure with twelve feet thick walls, all pure marble and the presiding deity will be Radha Krishna.

Gallery

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Prem Mandir Vrindavan.

References

  1. ↑ Famous Krishna Temples in India : Prem Mandir
  2. ↑ Kripaluji Maharaj's Prem Mandir will be inaugurated on 17 February-Aaj Ki Khabar
  3. ↑ 1000 कारीगरों ने 11 साल में बनाया 'प्रेम मंदिर'!. [Dainik Bhaskar]. Retrieved 6 April 2014
  4. ↑ Prem Mandir Inauguration (Vrindavan) | Jagadguru Kripaluji Yog
  5. ↑ Dream Of "एक झोंपड़ी हो कृष्ण के बृज में" Now Becomes A Reality
  6. ↑ ब्रज का आकर्षण प्रेम मंदिर. [Dainik Jagran]. Retrieved 6 April 2014
  7. ↑ Sahara Samay Kripaluji Maharaj's 'Prem Mandir' inauguration on Friday FEBRUARY 13, 2012 "The much long awaited temple of Kripaluji Maharaj's 'Prem Mandir' will be inaugurated on Friday 16th for public in Vrindaban district of Uttar Pradesh."
  8. ↑ Agratoday News Service. 1 July 2010. Dream Of “एक झोंपड़ी हो कृष्ण के बृज में” Now Becomes A Reality. Retrieved 28 Dec 2011.

External links