Golok Dham Temple, Sector 10, Dwarka


Pradeep Bajpai 

Golok Dham at Sector 10, Dwarka is one of the main centers of Raganuga Bhakti established under the inspiration from Jagadguru Shri Kripalu ji Maharaj. There the enchanting images of Radha-Krishna steal every devotee’s heart. More than 30 thousand devotees visited Golok Dham at Janmashtami, listened to the discourse by Dr. Yogeshwari Devi, enjoyed the bliss of Sankeertan, divine Prasad and Cultural program.

All major festivals are celebrated at Golok Dham. Regular Sankeertans are held from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. every Sunday.

Jagadguru Shri Kripaluji Maharaj keeps on visiting Golok Dham at regular basis and blesses us with his divine presence, discourses and Sankeertans. His program can be inquired at 011-25081088.

Jagadguru Shri Kripaluji Maharaj

Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj, affectionately addressed as Shri Maharaj Ji, by the devotees was born on October 6, 1922 on the auspicious full moon night in village Mangarh, a tiny village near Railway Station Kunda Harnam Ganj in District Pratapgarh, U.P.. His mother Bhagvati Devi and father Lalita Prasad Tripathi named their child Ram Kripalu. From childhood he showed signs of divinity and was a most precocious student. According to the custom of the times, his parents got him married at a very young age to the daughter of a learned Samskrit scholar and astrologer hailing from the nearby village of Leelapur. Despite being married, Shri Maharaj Ji often left home for long intervals and was discovered roaming around Sharbhang Ashram, in the dense forests of Chitrakoot in divine ecstasy earlier exhibited only by the greatest personalities such as Gaurang Mahaprabhu and Ramkrishna Paramhans.

At the young age of 34, he was awarded the title of Jagadguru by Kashi Vidvat Parishat, the distinguished and exclusive organization of 500 Vedic scholars, in the holy city of Benaras, on 14th January 1957. This title of Jagadguru has been granted only four times before him. The first Jagadguru is Adi Shankaracharya; the second one is Jagadguru Ramanujacharya, followed in history by Jagadguru Nimbarkacharya and Jagadguru Madhvacharya. The title of Jagadguru (Spiritual Master of the World) can be awarded only to a divine personality who possesses complete theoretical knowledge of all scriptures as well as a practical experience of God, and who brings about a spiritual revolution in the world.

When delivering enlightening discourses Shri Maharajji recites the most difficult Sanskrit verses from the Vedas, Upanishads, Purans, Bhagwatam, Gita and other scriptures eloquently and explains them in a lucid manner that leaves both the scholar and the layman spellbound. The most remarkable aspect of His recitation is that He has never studied these scriptures. His formal education had come to an end at the age of sixteen. Shri Maharaj Ji has composed thousands of bhajans and sankeertans that evoke extremely devotional sentiments within the heart. Many years ago he composed 1,008 devotional songs in only nine days. These are collectively known as the scripture Prem Ras Madira. This scripture has been highly praised by the well-known poets of India.

Even at the age of 90, Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj strictly follows His daily routine, which starts shortly after 1:00 a.m. with recitation of Radhey naam. In the ongoing 5 week long Sadhna Shivir at Bhakti Dham, Mangarh, the village of his birth, his voices resounding Radhey naam can be heard at 1:00 a.m., mere listening to it fills the hearts of devotees with purity and spiritual happiness. It indeed is divine bliss flowing into ears.

As humble as He is great, He makes Himself accessible to all sincere spiritual aspirants. He has trained approximately sixty disciples, male and female, called Pracharaks (spreader of divine knowledge and practical Bhakti) who travel the world spreading the most authentic divine wisdom contained in the scriptures. His teachings have spread all over the world through his Pracharaks. Dr. Yogeshwari Didi, who is running the administration of Golok Dham is one of the foremost Pracharaks

The spiritual work undertaken by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj is certainly His greatest contribution to society. However, His philosophy concentrates on creating a balance in life by taking care of the body as well as nurturing the soul. Recognizing the need to take care of the physical body also, Shri Maharaj Ji inspires devotees to engage in various humanitarian activities under the organization called Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat (JKP).

Yearly more than a lac patients, mainly comprising of deprived class, are treated and dispensed with medicines entirely free of cost at the Jagadguru Kripalu Chikitsalayas at Mangarh and Barsana. These hospitals have modern pathology and diagnostic machines. Blood donation and eye camps are held regularly here. One such hospital is coming up at Virindawan.

JKP also runs a Post Graduate College for girls called Kripalu Mahila Mahavidyalaya at Tehsil Kunda, near Bhakti Dham Mangarh where the standard of education is very high, scientific instrument are modern but education, text books, uniforms and conveyance are absolutely free.

All the readers are invited to visit Sadhna Shivir at Mangarh, Kripalu Mahila Mahavidyalaya at Kunda and Kripalu Chikitsalayas as Mangarh and Barsana to have first hand information of the divine and selfless service being done to the humanity which would definitely invoke their confidence and kindness to engage and contribute.

Apart from the above the divine discourse by Sh. Maharajji can be listened at Aastha Channel at 6:15 to 7 p.m. and at Sadhna Channel at 715 to 7:45 p.m… Many a discourse can be listened at the website jkp.org and at You Tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hFY3u2LNwo . Besides, the literature and DVDs/ CDs are available at Golok Dham.

A magnificent monument in Italian Marble personifying selfless love for Radha-Krishna inspired by Shri Maharajji called Prem Mandir at Vrindawan is almost complete. Its grace, beauty and divine splendour can only be seen to be believed. It is a unique structure where entire Krishna Leelas described in Bhagwat is carved on outer walls besides the interior divinity which would be revealed at its inauguration in February 2012. More about Prem Mandir would be provided in future instalments.

Radhey Radhey