Vanshidhar Mandir (Radha Krishna Mandir) Garhwa District under Nagar Untari and This detailed article presents a comprehensive picture highlighting the religious, cultural and social significance of Vanshidhar Mandir, Nagar Untari.
Introduction
Today we will know about the Vanshidhar Mandir which is the most famous temple of Jharkhand because there is a 1280 kg gold statue of Shri Krishna ji. This Vanshidhar Mandir is famous for the historical religious and tourism of India.
Radha Krishna Temple is a famous place to visit in Nagaruntari, its fame is due to the gold idols installed here. It is said that this idol is of 32 maunds of gold.
This place is famous for Baba Vanshidhar and Raja Pahadi. This temple has a centuries-old gold idol of Radha-Krishna and Raja Pahadi (Shiv temple) which is situated on the top of a hill.
Historical and cultural background of Garhwa district
The installation of the idol in Shri Vanshidhar Mandir and the construction of the temple was done by Rani Manik, wife of King Bhawani Singh of Attari state. Rani Sevdi Kuvar was a child widow and childless.
In the 78th century, when the Mughal Empire was ruling the country and the British were struggling to establish their power in the entire country, at that time, Rajniti Mani became the queen of Nagar Untari state.
Apart from being an efficient administrator, Queen Sivamani was also a pious, charitable, kind and a great devotee of Shri Krishna. She was always engrossed in the Bhajans and Kirtans of Shri Krishna.
Once, on the occasion of Janmashtami, while chanting the name of Shri Krishna, she fainted and in this unconscious state, Shri Krishna appeared before her and told Rajniti Mani that there is my idol on the hilltop on this side of the Kanhar river.
You bring the idol from there and install it in your kingdom. This will fulfill all your wishes. Next day, early in the morning, the queen reached that place with some members of her family, soldiers and Brahmins. Here, Shri Krishna had told her about his idol in her dream.
After reaching there, first the place was worshipped and then the digging work was started. After digging for a long time, people saw a shining thing inside the ground. When people took it out, everyone was surprised because it was nothing but the statue of Shri Krishna Ji.
Meena who is sitting on a lotus flower on the hood of Sheshnag. This statue weighed 32 maunds and was four and a half feet tall and its special thing was that it was made of pure gold.
Introduction to Radha Krishna Temple
After the idol of Shri Krishna was found, people searched for the idol of Radha Rani there but even after a long digging, the idol of Radha Rani was not found there. An elephant was put on the search to bring the grand idol of Shri Vanshidhar seated on a lotus on the hood of a mother to the court.
The elephants had to be changed several times to bring the idol to the city. The last elephant came and sat behind the fort of Rani where the temple is located now. Even after a lot of efforts, the elephant did not move from there.
Seeing this, everyone considered it to be God’s will and installed the idol at the same place. Since then, idols have been installed in the temple at this place. As you know, not only the idol of Shri Krishna is installed in any temple.
Along with it, the idol of Radha is also installed. So Planet Simar ji got an Ashta Dhatu (8 metals) idol of Radha made from Kashi and installed it next to the idol of Shri Krishna.
Establishment and history of the temple
The temple was established in 1885 AD and the special thing about this temple is that the idol was first installed here and then the temple was built. There is a courtyard of the temple here and you will see that the mantras and aartis of all the gods and goddesses are written on the walls of the temple.
Vanshidhar Mandir is located in Vanshidhar Nagar. Which falls in Gadhwa district. Vanshidhar Nagar is surrounded by four states Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
Religious importance of the temple
Shri Vanshidhar Mandir has a 1280 kg statue of Shri Krishna made of gold. This Vanshidhar temple is famous for the historical religious and tourism of India.
Radha Krishna Temple is a famous place to visit in Nagaruntari, its fame is due to the golden idols installed here. It is said that this idol is of 32 maunds of gold. This place is famous for Baba Vanshidhar and Raja Pahadi.
Architecture of the temple
As soon as you enter the main gate of the temple, you can see the idol of Radha Rani inside the temple. Mantras and aartis of all the gods and goddesses are written on the walls of the temple.
The temple was established in 1885 AD and the special thing about this temple is that the idol was installed here first and then the temple was built. There is a havan kund in the temple premises.
The height of the mangir is not much. The height of the main temple can be around 50 meters. Apart from this, all the temples of Gods which are in the Shri Vanshidhar Mangir complex are single storey.
Which is built in the shape of a room for each. All the temples are kept in a row for worship in the temple complex.
Religious and cultural activities
Bhagwat Katha is organized here every year in the month of August. Where there is the maximum crowd in the month of August. At this time, many types of cultural and religious programs are organized in Shri Vanshidhar Mandir.
In which all the festivals according to Hindu religion are celebrated. Religious discourses, havan, worship, music, dance etc. are organized in that festival. In which all the members of the king’s family participate. Many types of fairs are organized on this occasion.
In which many shopkeepers come. And means of entertainment also come during the fair. This is the biggest fair of Gadhwa district. In which people from many places come to see this fair. In which bhajan and kirtan programs are done.
Puritan and management of the temple
Many priests can be seen worshiping in Shri Vanshidhar Mandir. They are always ready to serve the devotees coming here. They serve the devotees in worship. You can ask the priest to get any kind of information.
And he helps the devotees without any voluntary effort. The priest here can explain the rules of the temple to you very well. Who will help you as a guide. The security and care of the temple is done by the king family and administration here.
Which is a good thing. The government and the descendants of the king family take care of the development of the temple. This information is based on the information received from the local people.
Social and economic impact of the temple
The presence of Shri Vanshidhar Mandir has given employment opportunities to the people living here. Many people have opened shops of puja material here to run their livelihood and improve their economic life.
This helps them survive. Along with this, there are many benefits from the tourists coming here from far and wide. Due to which the local village has benefited. The economic development of this place has been promoted.
Temple Travel Plan
If you are thinking of visiting Shri Vanshidhar Mandir with your family or friends. Then definitely come here on any special festival. At that time, the mind gets satisfied by seeing the atmosphere and the crowd of people here. Talking about the weather, you can come to Shri Vanshidhar Mandir from October to March.
- The nearest airport to come to Shri Vanshidhar Mandir here is Ranchi Airport (248 km) and Varanasi Airport (110 km).
- The nearest railway station is Untari (12 km). Mehuria Railway Station located on the Chopan-Garhwa railway line is located 3 km away from Baba Vanshidhar-Shiv Hill.
- By road transport, Vanshidhar Mandir is located 39 km west of the district headquarters Garhwa.
Special attraction
The palace of Rani Shivmani ji which is located at a short distance from the temple here. It is a very magnificent palace. The fort of Nagar Untari has a very magnificent palace of Rani Shivmani. Shri Vanshidhar Nagar is a single estate ruled by the De family.
Bhaiya Rudra Pratap Dev was the last ruler to rule this area. Bhaiya Rudra Pratap Dev’s son Bhaiya Shankar Pratap Dev is a former minister in the Bihar government and a member of the assembly many times.
His family is still living in the palace. So you can see the palace from outside but no one is allowed to go inside. A new palace is being built after the old palace was demolished.
Some questions related to Shri Vanshidhar Temple
1. What is the history of Radha Krishna Temple?
The Radha Krishna Temple was established in 1885 AD and the special thing about this temple is that the idol was first installed here and then the temple was built.
2. What are the timings of worship and rituals in the temple?
All the festivals that are celebrated according to every Indian culture, worship and rituals are performed at all times.
3. Which is the best route to reach the temple?
The district headquarters is located at a distance of 39 km west of Garhwa. And the nearest railway station is Untari (12 km). Which is the best means of transport by road.
4. What are the options for staying near the temple?
Rooms are available in the form of Dharamshala and small rent to stay near the temple.
5. Which festivals are celebrated in the temple?
All the religious festivals celebrated according to Hindu religion are celebrated in Shri Vanshidhar Mandir.