kasturi-tilakam lalata-patale vaksah-sthale kaustubham
nasagre vara-mauktikam kara-tale venuh kare kankanam
sarvange hari-candanam su-lalitam kanthe ca muktavali
gopa-stri-parivestito vijayate gopala-cuda-manih
“All glories to the crest jewel of cowherd boys known as Gopal, who has a musk tilala-mark on His forehead, the kaustubha jewel on His chest, a graceful pearl on the tip of His nose, a flute in His hand, a bracelet on His wrist, graceful sandalwood paste on all of His limbs, a necklace of pearls on His neck, and who is surrounded by a host of gopis.” (Sri-gopala-sahasra-nama, text 28)
Gadeigiri is a beautiful village situated amidst the tranquil solitude of rural Orissa (less than two-hour drive from Cuttack and nearly three hours from Jagannatha Puri Dhama), surrounded by lotus-filled ponds and green paddy fields. Gadeigiri has a most interesting history. The village is named after its founder, Gadai Giri, a great devotee of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who hailed from Midnapore in Bengal, some 300 years ago. This village is extremely special as Lord Gopal Jiu came here especially from Sri Vrindavana Dhama in response to the desire of His devotee Gopal Giri and has stayed here for over 250 years. During that time Gopal Jiu has manifested many unique and amazing pastimes. The history of those pastimes as well as that of the Giri family have been passed down for the last ten generations.
· Gadeigiri is in the Jagatsinghpur district of east-central Orissa, less than two-hour drive from Cuttack and nearly three hours from Jagannatha Puri Dhama. It is a very beautiful and quiet place much like other small villages in India, consisting mostly of mud huts with thatched roofs. The residents of Gadeigiri are very devoted to Krishna-bhakti and dedicated to Lord Gopal Jiu since generations. In front of almost every house one will find a shrine for the sacred Tulasi plant, and it is common to hear the sound of the Maha-mantra: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare | Hare-Hare Rama Hare Rama RamaRama Hare Hare || - being sung. The residents take their daily bath in the local pond, keep cows, and cook over cow-dung fires in the same way their ancestors have done for thousands of years. The main sources of livelihood are rice cultivation and the selling of brass utensils.
· Founding of Gadeigiri: The village Gadeigiri is named after its founder, GadaiGiri, who migrated from the district of Midnapore in the 17th century. He was a businessman who regularly came to the area to sell utensils and bell-metal items. Every year Gadai Giri would come during the rainy season, stay four or five months, and then return to Midnapore. Gadai Giri was a gentle and saintly person. He would rise early each morning and perform kirtan. Then after taking some flat rice and water he would go out selling brass utensils door to door. When evening arrived he would spend the night in some village and join with the local people in their daily custom of singing kirtan and reciting Srimad-Bhagavatam. He soon became well known as a good kirtan singer and a devotee. He received frequent invitations to take part in different sankirtana festivals celebrated for the pleasure of the various local deity's of Baladeva Jiu, BrindabanBihari Jiu, Radha Madan Mohan Jiu, and Dadhi Baman Jiu. Appreciating GadaiGiri's saintly qualities, the local zamindar (feudal landlord) offered to give him some nearby land. Shortly thereafter Gadai Giri met a naga-sannyasi, a naked mendicant, who was very pleased with Gadai Giri's gentle behaviour and high character. One day, Gadai Giri and the sannyasi were walking together in the forest when suddenly they heard the sweet voices of several different kinds of birds as well as the sounds of a flute, ankle bells, and a conch shell. The naga-sadhu told him, "Where such auspicious sounds are heard, Lord Krishna Himself is present. Wherever Lord Krishna is present His consort Lakshmi, the Goddess of fortune, is also present. This is a sacred place, a place of glory. You should build a house here for your residence and engage yourself fully in the service of the Lord. Here, whatever you desire will immediately fulfilled". Presenting all these things before the zamindar, Gadai Giri received from him a large segment of land, including an area for cultivation. He cleared a small section of the jungle indicated by the naga-sadhu and built a house and a small Temple wherein he established a Deity of Dadhi Baman. When Lord Jagannatha is worshiped without his brother Baladeva and sister Subhadra, He is known as Patita Pavan or DadhiBaman. Gadai Giri left his brass business and simply engaged himself in bhajanand kirtan. Many wandering sadhus and sannyasis came to join with Gadai Giri'skirtan. Gradually other people came to stay permanently, and a village developed in that place, in Gadai Giri's name.
· Gopal Giri: Gadai Giri had only one son, who was named Gopal Giri. Gopal Giriwas influenced by the devotional qualities of his father and was very devoted to Lord Jagannatha. Every year he would go to Puri to see the Rathayatra festival. He was also very attached to performing sankirtan, and was expert in many different styles of kirtan. In Gopal Giri’s heart was a strong desire to worship the Lord in His eternal form of Lord Gopala. Unable to find such a deity, he decided to go to Jagannatha Puri, thinking that if he would render service to Lord Jagannatha there, then somehow Gopal would come to him. Arriving in Puri, he stayed in the area known as Kundei Benta Sahi near Grand Road. As he was very scholarly, he easily obtained service in the office of the king, where he became the poddar, or cashier, for the Temple of Lord Jagannatha. Even whilst dutifully carrying out his obligations as a treasurer, he was always praying for that time when he could give his occupation and fully dedicate his life to the service and pleasure of his ista-deva - Lord Gopal - Krishna, the cowherd boy. He cried for the Lord to appear before him in that form and accept whatever service he could offer. He led a very regulated life. He would daily go to see Lord Jagannatha and at the Temple he would sit on the bais pahaca, the 22 steps inside the compound leading up to the main darsana area, and there he would read Srimad-Bhagavatam. In the evening he would take Prasadam and go home. Every Sunday he would go to the Satalahari Math, a temple near the ocean, where he would sit and read Srimad-Bhagavatam and chant Harinam. He was very attached to Srimad-Bhagavatam.
· Lord Gopal comes from Vrindavana: During the Rathayatra festivals in Puri, Gopal Giri would approach devotees and sadhus coming from Vrindavana and ask them: “Please give me your blessings so that I may obtain a deity of Lord Gopala; it is my heart’s desire to worship Him.” They would readily agree. "Yes, yes," they would say. "Next time I will bring a Gopal Deity for you." But no one ever brought a Deity. At this same time, in Vrindavana there was one renounced devotee who was worshiping a deity of Gopal. One night this Gopal deity appeared in the sannyasi's dream and spoke to him.
· His Holiness Gour Govinda Swami Maharaj tells this story, “How Lord Gopal came from Vrindavana”:
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Gopal Giri was serving in Puri as a government cashier. He was always thinking in his mind, 'If I can get a Gopal Deity I'll offer worship to Him.' But he thought, 'How can I go to Vrindavana?' He had a strong desire to get a Deity. At that time this Deity of Gopal was in Vrindavana with a sannyasi Vaisnava, a renunciate. He was doing madhukari, begging, and he was keeping that Deity in his jhola (a cloth tied as a bag). During the day, he would go out and do madhukari, then in the evening he would cook whatever he had begged and offer it to Gopal. In this way, he was leading his life. One night this Gopal Deity told the Vaisnava, 'You take me to Gopal Giri, the son of Gadai Giri. He wants to offer Me worship. I want to go there. Take me there.' But the Vaisnava thought that it was only a dream. He did not take it seriously. After a few days Gopal came again in a dream and beat him with a cane on his legs. It was such a severe beating that his legs were bleeding. The sannyasiVaisnava woke up and begged, apologizing, 'Please forgive me for my offense. I did not take Your order seriously. But You have beaten me so severely, how can I go there with such wounds on my legs?' Gopal said, 'When Gopal Giri touches you, it will be healed, otherwise you cannot be cured. You go there at once. Don't make any delay.' So he started walking. At that time there was no communication system, no train or bus. The only way was by walking. It took him two and a half months to reach Puri. At this time Gopal Giri was staying in a rented house at Kundhei Benta Sahiin Puri. The Vaisnava reached Puri in the evening and stayed near the Jagannatha temple. Early the next morning he inquired, 'Who is Gopal Giri? I want to meet him.' Many people knew Gopal Giri. He was famous as the cashier of the Jagannatha temple. So he quickly found Gopal Giri at his rented house. Gopal Giri had just finished his bath and was putting on tilak. The Vaisnava arrived and offered his obeisances to Gopal Giri. He then took the Deity from his bag and presented Him to Gopal Giri. Gopal Giri was amazed. 'What is this? Who are you, and where has this Deity come from?' The Vaisnava replied, 'You wanted Gopal to worship, so Gopal has come from Vrindavana. I was in Vrindavana carrying this Gopal. He told me to hand Him over to you, and He beat me.' He showed Gopal Giri his legs and said, 'If you touch it, it will be cured; otherwise it will not be cured.' So Gopal Giri immediately touched him and the injury was gone. Gopal Giri was very happy that Gopal had fulfilled his desire. He couldn't go to Vrindavana, but Gopal had come to him. Gopal Giri went to the market and purchased rice, dal, and vegetables. He prepared Prasadam and gave some to the Vaisnava. Then he went to the king and offered his resignation, saying, 'I don't want to serve any more.' When he returned to his room he opened his bag and told that Vaisnava, 'You can take as much money as you want. "The Vaisnava said, 'No, I don't want any money. I only want to do service for Gopal. Wherever Gopal goes, I will go. I want to go and serve Him. I am not one to sell Gopal. I am a servant. I won't take any money.' Later on, Gopal Giri again went to see the king. The king asked him, 'Why did you resign?' 'I have a Temple in my village and I had a desire to get a Deity of Gopal to worship.' "The king was very pleased and said, 'All right, your desire is very noble. I have no objection. But sometimes you must come to Puri with your kirtanparty and chant in Jagannatha's temple.' The king gave Gopal Giri some extra months’ salary and allowed him to go. Gopal Giri then sent a message to Gadeigirifor a kirtan group to come to Puri to accompany Gopal to His new home. When the Gajapati king heard the kirtan of the Gadeigiri villagers he became very pleased. It is written in the madala-panji, the history book of the Temple of Lord Jagannatha, that whenever the kirtan party from Gadeigiri comes they should be allowed to perform kirtan in the Temple. Gopal Giri also had a deity made of Srimati Radharani whose golden form was fashioned from brass by a local sthapati (deity sculptor) and installed Her. And so, the Divine Couple Sri Sri Radha-Gopala Jiu stood on the altar in the temple at Gadai Giri. Their temple was a mud hut. He made all arrangements in service of Gopal Jiu, providing agricultural property so that in the future there would not be any difficulty for Gopal’s maintenance. The Supreme Lord in His deity form had come all the way from Vrindavana to hear the kirtana at Gadeigiri. So daily kirtana was performed at the temple, very sweet kirtana for the pleasure of Sri SriRadha-Gopal Jiu. The main business of the Giri family was deity worship and hari-kirtana. Lord Gopala Himself was very happy to hear the kirtana. As it is described in the sastra: naham tisthami vaikunthe yoginam hrdayesu va “My dear Narada, actually I do not reside in My abode, Vaikuntha, nor do I reside within the hearts of the yogi, but I reside in that place where My pure devotees chant My holy name and discuss My form, pastimes and qualities.” |
· Gopal Giri installed the Gopal deity in Gadeigiri and requested the renunciatefrom Vrindavana to perform Gopal's daily worship. After serving Gopal for twenty years, the renunciate departed this world and was given samadhi, ritual burial, near Gopal's Temple. After this, Gopal Giri engaged other renounced Vaisnavasin the daily worship of Gopal. After Gopal Giri departed at the age of 85, responsibility for Gopal’s service passed on to his son, Dinabandhu Giri.
· How Gopal came to ISKCON: The following story is about how Gopal came to ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), from the book Gopal Jiu - The Beloved Deity of His Holiness Gour Govinda Swami (by Gopal Jiupublications) (pages 55 till 61). Ghanashyam Giri's father, Gopinath Giri, departed this world in 1964. From 1964 until 1992 Ghanashyam Giri was entrusted with serving Gopal. He worked very hard to make Gopal happy, but after some time he found that there was very little help. Concerned about how Gopal's service could be maintained, he remembered his cousin-brother Braja-bandhu Manik who had become a sannyasi-guru in ISKCON and was now known as Gour Govinda Swami Maharaja. Ghanashyam Giri thought that since GourGovinda Swami had so much devotion for Gopal he would be the appropriate person to whom to pass on the service of Gopal.
· In the meantime, His Holiness Gour Govinda Swami Maharaj was regularly coming to Gadeigiri for darsana. Before and after traveling abroad for his preaching tours he would always seek the blessings of Gopal. In 1989 GourGovinda Swami began bringing devotees from the large ISKCON Temple in Bhubaneswar to Gadeigiri to celebrate Radhastami, the appearance festival of Srimati Radharani. This developed into a grand festival of kirtan, lectures and Prasadam, and many of the local villagers would enthusiastically participate. Again, Ghanashyam Giri decided to give Gopal to Gour Govinda Swami. They discussed the matter and Gour Govinda Swami happily agreed to accept the responsibility. But shortly thereafter Ghanashyam Giri began again to have second thoughts. If he gave Gopal to the guru of so many Westerners, would Gopal then belong to the Western corner? One year went by, and seeing his reluctance Gour Govinda Swami became disappointed.
· Ghanashyam Giri recalls the incident that changed his mind:
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About 2:30am one morning I had a dream. Gopal came and was standing near my head. He said, "Why are you sleeping? Wake up! So many troubles have come to you, but have you felt any difficulty? No, because I am always behind you. Now you are alone. How can you arrange all types of festivals for Me? I am always very interested to hear nama-sankirtana. Gour Govinda Swami is your own relative. Why don't you give Me to him? So, now tell Me, will you give Me or not?" In the dream I said, "Yes. Yes. I will give. I will give." Suddenly my wife woke me up and said, "What are you saying? What will you give? To whom will you give? You are speaking like a madman. What happened?" I told her that Gopal had just come and asked me if I was going to give Him to Gour Govinda Swami or not and I said, "Yes. Yes. I will give. I will give." I told her, "Gopal was standing near that window. He just left." My wife said gently, "Go and donate Gopal to Gurudeva. Whatever property you have you should also give to him. If he takes Gopal then Gopal will be happy and He will be taken care of nicely. You will be able to see Gopal here every day. Why are you hesitating?" In this way my doubt were cleared. The next day I was preparing to go to Bhubaneswar to see Gour Govinda Swami, but I heard that Gurudeva was coming to Gadeigiri. So I stayed and waited for his arrival. He came a few days later and I met with him. He asked me, "How are you? What about Gopal?" I said, "I have been waiting for you to come, to give Gopal to you. Gurudev looked at me for a moment and laughed. He said, "What has happened to you? What has brought about this change?" He said, "Has Gopal spoken to you?" I said, "Yes, Gurudeva, Gopal spoke to me." Then Gurudeva asked me, "What day was it that He spoke to you, and what time?" I told him, "Twelve days before, at 2:30am in the morning." Gurudeva nodded his head up and down. "Gopal came and spoke with me on the same morning at 2:00am then at 2:30am He came to you. That morning I was translating the Srimad-Bhagavatam into Oriya. I dozed off for a few moments.” Gopal came to me and said, "You installed Radha-Gopinath here. Has Gopinathreplaced Me in your life?" (His Holiness Gour Govinda Swami had commissioned a sculptor to make deities of Sri Sri Radha and Krishna to be exactly the same height, width, standing position, etc., as Sri Sri Radha Gopal in Gadeigiri, and installed them on the ISKCON property at Bhubaneswar, naming them "Radha-Gopinath"). Gopal again asked Gurudeva, "Is Gopinath the same for you as Me?" With folded hands Gurudeva replied, "No." Then Gopal said, "You are worshipping here, but I can't come here. Gadeigiri is the house of My devotees. They have no wealth, but there mind is always on Me. Even if they only offer Me a tulasi leaf and a little water I am happy there. There are always saying, 'Gopal! Gopal!' I cannot leave them and come here. You are not doing any service for Me because Ghanashyam has not given Me to you. He promised, 'Unless Gopal tells me to give Him.'" Gopal then said, "I will speak to Ghanashyam. First I have met with you and now I am going to Ghanashyam." While Gurudeva and I were speaking, one of my family members was there. They said, "You are always taking about donating Gopal, but your are only speaking and not giving." I said, "No, today I must donate Gopal to Gurudeva. Bring Tulasi and water and chant mantra." Gurudevaasked, "How will you donate to me?" I said, "As Srimad-Bhagavatam describes that Bali Maharaja donated to Lord Vamanadeva, like that I will donate Gopal to you. You place your hand undermine and I will donate three times with water and Tulasi leaf." I called for a brahmana who put Tulasi and water in my hand. I said, "First I donate to you Radha Gopal Jiu. Secondly I give you all of Gopal'sparaphernalia. Thirdly I donate the property to you. From tomorrow you will take charge.” |
· His Holiness Gour Govinda Swami immediately accepted Gopal and the property, and on 15 November 1993 he recorded everything in the name of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), the institution of his spiritual master, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
Orissa map
Gadeigiri is situated in the Jagatsinghpur district of east-central Orissa, less than 2 hours from Cuttack and 2½ hour from Bhubaneswar. Gadeigiriis a beautiful village situated amidst the tranquil solitude of rural Orissa, surrounded by lotus-filled ponds and green paddy fields. Gadeigiri has a most interesting history. The village is named after its founder, Gadai Giri, a great devotee of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. This village is extremely special as Lord Gopal Jiu came here especially from Sri Vrindavana Dhama in response to the desire of His devotee Gopal Giri and has stayed with the Giri family for over 250 years. During that time Gopal Jiu has manifested many unique and amazing pastimes. The history of those pastimes as well as that of the Giri family have been passed down for the last ten generations.
Jagatsinghpur district map
Gadeigiri is a very beautiful and quiet place much like other small villages in India, consisting mostly of mud huts with thatched roofs. The residents of Gadeigiri are very devoted to Krishna-bhakti and dedicated to Lord Gopal Jiu since generations. In front of almost every house one will find a shrine for the sacred Tulasi plant, and it is common to hear the sound of the Maha-mantra: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare | Hare-Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare || - being sung. The residents take their daily bath in the local pond, keep cows, and cook over cow-dung fires in the same way their ancestors have done for thousands of years. The main sources of livelihood are rice cultivation and the selling of brass utensils.
Sri Gopal Jiu Temple at Gadeigiri
The village Gadeigiri is named after its founder, Gadai Giri, who migrated from the district of Midnapore in the 17th century. He was a businessman who regularly came to the area to sell utensils and bell-metal items. Every year Gadai Giri would come during the rainy season, stay four or five months, and then return to Midnapore. Gadai Giri was a gentle and saintly person. He would rise early each morning and perform kirtan. Then after taking some flat rice and water he would go out selling brass utensils door to door. When evening arrived he would spend the night in some village and join with the local people in their daily custom of singing kirtan and reciting Srimad-Bhagavatam. He soon became well known as a good kirtansinger and a devotee. He received frequent invitations to take part in different sankirtana festivals celebrated for the pleasure of the various local deity's of Baladeva Jiu, Brindaban Bihari Jiu, Radha Madan Mohan Jiu, and Dadhi Baman Jiu.
Srimati Tulasi at Sri Gopal Jiu Temple
Appreciating Gadai Giri's saintly qualities, the local zamindar (feudal landlord) offered to give him some nearby land. Shortly thereafter GadaiGiri met a naga-sannyasi, a naked mendicant, who was very pleased with Gadai Giri's gentle behaviour and high character. One day, Gadai Giriand the sannyasi were walking together in the forest when suddenly they heard the sweet voices of several different kinds of birds as well as the sounds of a flute, ankle bells, and a conch shell. The naga-sadhu told him, "Where such auspicious sounds are heard, Lord Krishna Himself is present. Wherever Lord Krishna is present His consort Lakshmi, the Goddess of fortune, is also present. This is a sacred place, a place of glory. You should build a house here for your residence and engage yourself fully in the service of the Lord. Here, whatever you desire will immediately fulfilled".
Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha-Gopal Jiu, Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai and patita-pavana Lord Jagannatha
Presenting all these things before the zamindar, Gadai Giri received from him a large segment of land, including an area for cultivation. He cleared a small section of the jungle indicated by the naga-sadhu and built a house and a small Temple wherein he established a Deity of Dadhi Baman. When Lord Jagannatha is worshiped without his brother Baladeva and sister Subhadra, He is known as Patita Pavan or Dadhi Baman. Gadai Giri left his brass business and simply engaged himself in bhajan and kirtan. Many wandering sadhus and sannyasis came to join with Gadai Giri's kirtan. Gradually other people came to stay permanently, and a village developed in that place, in Gadai Giri's name.
Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha-Gopal Jiu
Sri Gopal Jiu here is extremely special as Their Lordships came especially from Sri Vrindavana Dhama in response to the desire of His devotee Gopal Giri and has stayed here for over 250 years.
Gadai Giri had only one son, who was named Gopal Giri. Gopal Giri was influenced by the devotional qualities of his father and was very devoted to Lord Jagannatha. Every year he would go to Puri to see the Rathayatra festival. He was also very attached to performing sankirtan, and was expert in many different styles of kirtan. In Gopal Giri’s heart was a strong desire to worship the Lord in His eternal form of Lord Gopala. Unable to find such a deity, he decided to go to Jagannatha Puri, thinking that if he would render service to Lord Jagannatha there, then somehow Gopal would come to him. Arriving in Puri, he stayed in the area known as Kundei Benta Sahinear Grand Road. As he was very scholarly, he easily obtained service in the office of the king, where he became the poddar, or cashier, for the Temple of Lord Jagannatha.
Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha-Gopal Jiu
Even whilst dutifully carrying out his obligations as a treasurer, he was always praying for that time when he could give his occupation and fully dedicate his life to the service and pleasure of his ista-deva - Lord Gopal - Krishna, the cowherd boy. He cried for the Lord to appear before him in that form and accept whatever service he could offer. He led a veryregulated life. He would daily go to see Lord Jagannatha and at the Temple he would sit on the bais pahaca, the 22 steps inside the compound leading up to the main darsana area, and there he would read Srimad-Bhagavatam. In the evening he would take Prasadam and go home. Every Sunday he would go to the Satalahari Math, a temple near the ocean, where he would sit and read Srimad-Bhagavatam and chant Harinam. He was very attached to Srimad-Bhagavatam.
Sri Gopal Jiu Temple at Gadeigiri
During the Rathayatra festivals in Puri, Gopal Giri would approach devotees and sadhus coming from Vrindavana and ask them: “Please give me your blessings so that I may obtain a deity of Lord Gopala; it is my heart’s desire to worship Him.” They would readily agree. "Yes, yes," they would say. "Next time I will bring a Gopal Deity for you." But no one ever brought a Deity. At this same time, in Vrindavana there was one renounced devotee who was worshiping a deity of Gopal.
Sri Sri Radha-Gopal Jiu (big)
One night this Gopal Deity told the Vaisnava, 'You take me to Gopal Giri, the son of Gadai Giri. He wants to offer Me worship. I want to go there. Take me there.' But the Vaisnava thought that it was only a dream. He did not take it seriously. After a few days Gopal came again in a dream and beat him with a cane on his legs. It was such a severe beating that his legs were bleeding. The sannyasi Vaisnava woke up and begged, apologizing, 'Please forgive me for my offense. I did not take Your order seriously. But You have beaten me so severely, how can I go there with such wounds on my legs?' Gopal said, 'When Gopal Giri touches you, it will be healed, otherwise you cannot be cured. You go there at once. Don't make any delay.'
His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Founder-Acarya of International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)
So the Vaishnava started walking from Vrindavana to Jagannatha Puri. At that time there was no communication system, no train or bus. The only way was by walking. It took him two and a half months to reach Puri. At this time Gopal Giri was staying in a rented house at Kundhei Benta Sahi in Puri. The Vaisnava reached Puri in the evening and stayed near the Jagannatha temple. Early the next morning he inquired, 'Who is Gopal Giri? I want to meet him.' Many people knew Gopal Giri. He was famous as the cashier of the Jagannatha temple. So he quickly found Gopal Giri at his rented house.kasturi-tilakam lalata-patale vaksah-sthale kaustubham
nasagre vara-mauktikam kara-tale venuh kare kankanam
sarvange hari-candanam su-lalitam kanthe ca muktavali
gopa-stri-parivestito vijayate gopala-cuda-manih
“All glories to the crest jewel of cowherd boys known as Gopal, who has a musk tilala-mark on His forehead, the kaustubha jewel on His chest, a graceful pearl on the tip of His nose, a flute in His hand, a bracelet on His wrist, graceful sandalwood paste on all of His limbs, a necklace of pearls on His neck, and who is surrounded by a host of gopis.” (Sri-gopala-sahasra-nama, text 28)
Gadeigiri is a beautiful village situated amidst the tranquil solitude of rural Orissa (less than two-hour drive from Cuttack and nearly three hours from Jagannatha Puri Dhama), surrounded by lotus-filled ponds and green paddy fields. Gadeigiri has a most interesting history. The village is named after its founder, Gadai Giri, a great devotee of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who hailed from Midnapore in Bengal, some 300 years ago. This village is extremely special as Lord Gopal Jiu came here especially from Sri Vrindavana Dhama in response to the desire of His devotee Gopal Giri and has stayed here for over 250 years. During that time Gopal Jiu has manifested many unique and amazing pastimes. The history of those pastimes as well as that of the Giri family have been passed down for the last ten generations.
· Gadeigiri is in the Jagatsinghpur district of east-central Orissa, less than two-hour drive from Cuttack and nearly three hours from Jagannatha Puri Dhama. It is a very beautiful and quiet place much like other small villages in India, consisting mostly of mud huts with thatched roofs. The residents of Gadeigiri are very devoted to Krishna-bhakti and dedicated to Lord Gopal Jiu since generations. In front of almost every house one will find a shrine for the sacred Tulasi plant, and it is common to hear the sound of the Maha-mantra: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare | Hare-Hare Rama Hare Rama RamaRama Hare Hare || - being sung. The residents take their daily bath in the local pond, keep cows, and cook over cow-dung fires in the same way their ancestors have done for thousands of years. The main sources of livelihood are rice cultivation and the selling of brass utensils.
· Founding of Gadeigiri: The village Gadeigiri is named after its founder, GadaiGiri, who migrated from the district of Midnapore in the 17th century. He was a businessman who regularly came to the area to sell utensils and bell-metal items. Every year Gadai Giri would come during the rainy season, stay four or five months, and then return to Midnapore. Gadai Giri was a gentle and saintly person. He would rise early each morning and perform kirtan. Then after taking some flat rice and water he would go out selling brass utensils door to door. When evening arrived he would spend the night in some village and join with the local people in their daily custom of singing kirtan and reciting Srimad-Bhagavatam. He soon became well known as a good kirtan singer and a devotee. He received frequent invitations to take part in different sankirtana festivals celebrated for the pleasure of the various local deity's of Baladeva Jiu, BrindabanBihari Jiu, Radha Madan Mohan Jiu, and Dadhi Baman Jiu. Appreciating GadaiGiri's saintly qualities, the local zamindar (feudal landlord) offered to give him some nearby land. Shortly thereafter Gadai Giri met a naga-sannyasi, a naked mendicant, who was very pleased with Gadai Giri's gentle behaviour and high character. One day, Gadai Giri and the sannyasi were walking together in the forest when suddenly they heard the sweet voices of several different kinds of birds as well as the sounds of a flute, ankle bells, and a conch shell. The naga-sadhu told him, "Where such auspicious sounds are heard, Lord Krishna Himself is present. Wherever Lord Krishna is present His consort Lakshmi, the Goddess of fortune, is also present. This is a sacred place, a place of glory. You should build a house here for your residence and engage yourself fully in the service of the Lord. Here, whatever you desire will immediately fulfilled". Presenting all these things before the zamindar, Gadai Giri received from him a large segment of land, including an area for cultivation. He cleared a small section of the jungle indicated by the naga-sadhu and built a house and a small Temple wherein he established a Deity of Dadhi Baman. When Lord Jagannatha is worshiped without his brother Baladeva and sister Subhadra, He is known as Patita Pavan or DadhiBaman. Gadai Giri left his brass business and simply engaged himself in bhajanand kirtan. Many wandering sadhus and sannyasis came to join with Gadai Giri'skirtan. Gradually other people came to stay permanently, and a village developed in that place, in Gadai Giri's name.
· Gopal Giri: Gadai Giri had only one son, who was named Gopal Giri. Gopal Giriwas influenced by the devotional qualities of his father and was very devoted to Lord Jagannatha. Every year he would go to Puri to see the Rathayatra festival. He was also very attached to performing sankirtan, and was expert in many different styles of kirtan. In Gopal Giri’s heart was a strong desire to worship the Lord in His eternal form of Lord Gopala. Unable to find such a deity, he decided to go to Jagannatha Puri, thinking that if he would render service to Lord Jagannatha there, then somehow Gopal would come to him. Arriving in Puri, he stayed in the area known as Kundei Benta Sahi near Grand Road. As he was very scholarly, he easily obtained service in the office of the king, where he became the poddar, or cashier, for the Temple of Lord Jagannatha. Even whilst dutifully carrying out his obligations as a treasurer, he was always praying for that time when he could give his occupation and fully dedicate his life to the service and pleasure of his ista-deva - Lord Gopal - Krishna, the cowherd boy. He cried for the Lord to appear before him in that form and accept whatever service he could offer. He led a very regulated life. He would daily go to see Lord Jagannatha and at the Temple he would sit on the bais pahaca, the 22 steps inside the compound leading up to the main darsana area, and there he would read Srimad-Bhagavatam. In the evening he would take Prasadam and go home. Every Sunday he would go to the Satalahari Math, a temple near the ocean, where he would sit and read Srimad-Bhagavatam and chant Harinam. He was very attached to Srimad-Bhagavatam.
· Lord Gopal comes from Vrindavana: During the Rathayatra festivals in Puri, Gopal Giri would approach devotees and sadhus coming from Vrindavana and ask them: “Please give me your blessings so that I may obtain a deity of Lord Gopala; it is my heart’s desire to worship Him.” They would readily agree. "Yes, yes," they would say. "Next time I will bring a Gopal Deity for you." But no one ever brought a Deity. At this same time, in Vrindavana there was one renounced devotee who was worshiping a deity of Gopal. One night this Gopal deity appeared in the sannyasi's dream and spoke to him.
· His Holiness Gour Govinda Swami Maharaj tells this story, “How Lord Gopal came from Vrindavana”:
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Gopal Giri was serving in Puri as a government cashier. He was always thinking in his mind, 'If I can get a Gopal Deity I'll offer worship to Him.' But he thought, 'How can I go to Vrindavana?' He had a strong desire to get a Deity. At that time this Deity of Gopal was in Vrindavana with a sannyasi Vaisnava, a renunciate. He was doing madhukari, begging, and he was keeping that Deity in his jhola (a cloth tied as a bag). During the day, he would go out and do madhukari, then in the evening he would cook whatever he had begged and offer it to Gopal. In this way, he was leading his life. One night this Gopal Deity told the Vaisnava, 'You take me to Gopal Giri, the son of Gadai Giri. He wants to offer Me worship. I want to go there. Take me there.' But the Vaisnava thought that it was only a dream. He did not take it seriously. After a few days Gopal came again in a dream and beat him with a cane on his legs. It was such a severe beating that his legs were bleeding. The sannyasiVaisnava woke up and begged, apologizing, 'Please forgive me for my offense. I did not take Your order seriously. But You have beaten me so severely, how can I go there with such wounds on my legs?' Gopal said, 'When Gopal Giri touches you, it will be healed, otherwise you cannot be cured. You go there at once. Don't make any delay.' So he started walking. At that time there was no communication system, no train or bus. The only way was by walking. It took him two and a half months to reach Puri. At this time Gopal Giri was staying in a rented house at Kundhei Benta Sahiin Puri. The Vaisnava reached Puri in the evening and stayed near the Jagannatha temple. Early the next morning he inquired, 'Who is Gopal Giri? I want to meet him.' Many people knew Gopal Giri. He was famous as the cashier of the Jagannatha temple. So he quickly found Gopal Giri at his rented house. Gopal Giri had just finished his bath and was putting on tilak. The Vaisnava arrived and offered his obeisances to Gopal Giri. He then took the Deity from his bag and presented Him to Gopal Giri. Gopal Giri was amazed. 'What is this? Who are you, and where has this Deity come from?' The Vaisnava replied, 'You wanted Gopal to worship, so Gopal has come from Vrindavana. I was in Vrindavana carrying this Gopal. He told me to hand Him over to you, and He beat me.' He showed Gopal Giri his legs and said, 'If you touch it, it will be cured; otherwise it will not be cured.' So Gopal Giri immediately touched him and the injury was gone. Gopal Giri was very happy that Gopal had fulfilled his desire. He couldn't go to Vrindavana, but Gopal had come to him. Gopal Giri went to the market and purchased rice, dal, and vegetables. He prepared Prasadam and gave some to the Vaisnava. Then he went to the king and offered his resignation, saying, 'I don't want to serve any more.' When he returned to his room he opened his bag and told that Vaisnava, 'You can take as much money as you want. "The Vaisnava said, 'No, I don't want any money. I only want to do service for Gopal. Wherever Gopal goes, I will go. I want to go and serve Him. I am not one to sell Gopal. I am a servant. I won't take any money.' Later on, Gopal Giri again went to see the king. The king asked him, 'Why did you resign?' 'I have a Temple in my village and I had a desire to get a Deity of Gopal to worship.' "The king was very pleased and said, 'All right, your desire is very noble. I have no objection. But sometimes you must come to Puri with your kirtanparty and chant in Jagannatha's temple.' The king gave Gopal Giri some extra months’ salary and allowed him to go. Gopal Giri then sent a message to Gadeigirifor a kirtan group to come to Puri to accompany Gopal to His new home. When the Gajapati king heard the kirtan of the Gadeigiri villagers he became very pleased. It is written in the madala-panji, the history book of the Temple of Lord Jagannatha, that whenever the kirtan party from Gadeigiri comes they should be allowed to perform kirtan in the Temple. Gopal Giri also had a deity made of Srimati Radharani whose golden form was fashioned from brass by a local sthapati (deity sculptor) and installed Her. And so, the Divine Couple Sri Sri Radha-Gopala Jiu stood on the altar in the temple at Gadai Giri. Their temple was a mud hut. He made all arrangements in service of Gopal Jiu, providing agricultural property so that in the future there would not be any difficulty for Gopal’s maintenance. The Supreme Lord in His deity form had come all the way from Vrindavana to hear the kirtana at Gadeigiri. So daily kirtana was performed at the temple, very sweet kirtana for the pleasure of Sri SriRadha-Gopal Jiu. The main business of the Giri family was deity worship and hari-kirtana. Lord Gopala Himself was very happy to hear the kirtana. As it is described in the sastra: naham tisthami vaikunthe yoginam hrdayesu va “My dear Narada, actually I do not reside in My abode, Vaikuntha, nor do I reside within the hearts of the yogi, but I reside in that place where My pure devotees chant My holy name and discuss My form, pastimes and qualities.” |
· Gopal Giri installed the Gopal deity in Gadeigiri and requested the renunciatefrom Vrindavana to perform Gopal's daily worship. After serving Gopal for twenty years, the renunciate departed this world and was given samadhi, ritual burial, near Gopal's Temple. After this, Gopal Giri engaged other renounced Vaisnavasin the daily worship of Gopal. After Gopal Giri departed at the age of 85, responsibility for Gopal’s service passed on to his son, Dinabandhu Giri.
· How Gopal came to ISKCON: The following story is about how Gopal came to ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), from the book Gopal Jiu - The Beloved Deity of His Holiness Gour Govinda Swami (by Gopal Jiupublications) (pages 55 till 61). Ghanashyam Giri's father, Gopinath Giri, departed this world in 1964. From 1964 until 1992 Ghanashyam Giri was entrusted with serving Gopal. He worked very hard to make Gopal happy, but after some time he found that there was very little help. Concerned about how Gopal's service could be maintained, he remembered his cousin-brother Braja-bandhu Manik who had become a sannyasi-guru in ISKCON and was now known as Gour Govinda Swami Maharaja. Ghanashyam Giri thought that since GourGovinda Swami had so much devotion for Gopal he would be the appropriate person to whom to pass on the service of Gopal.
· In the meantime, His Holiness Gour Govinda Swami Maharaj was regularly coming to Gadeigiri for darsana. Before and after traveling abroad for his preaching tours he would always seek the blessings of Gopal. In 1989 GourGovinda Swami began bringing devotees from the large ISKCON Temple in Bhubaneswar to Gadeigiri to celebrate Radhastami, the appearance festival of Srimati Radharani. This developed into a grand festival of kirtan, lectures and Prasadam, and many of the local villagers would enthusiastically participate. Again, Ghanashyam Giri decided to give Gopal to Gour Govinda Swami. They discussed the matter and Gour Govinda Swami happily agreed to accept the responsibility. But shortly thereafter Ghanashyam Giri began again to have second thoughts. If he gave Gopal to the guru of so many Westerners, would Gopal then belong to the Western corner? One year went by, and seeing his reluctance Gour Govinda Swami became disappointed.
· Ghanashyam Giri recalls the incident that changed his mind:
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About 2:30am one morning I had a dream. Gopal came and was standing near my head. He said, "Why are you sleeping? Wake up! So many troubles have come to you, but have you felt any difficulty? No, because I am always behind you. Now you are alone. How can you arrange all types of festivals for Me? I am always very interested to hear nama-sankirtana. Gour Govinda Swami is your own relative. Why don't you give Me to him? So, now tell Me, will you give Me or not?" In the dream I said, "Yes. Yes. I will give. I will give." Suddenly my wife woke me up and said, "What are you saying? What will you give? To whom will you give? You are speaking like a madman. What happened?" I told her that Gopal had just come and asked me if I was going to give Him to Gour Govinda Swami or not and I said, "Yes. Yes. I will give. I will give." I told her, "Gopal was standing near that window. He just left." My wife said gently, "Go and donate Gopal to Gurudeva. Whatever property you have you should also give to him. If he takes Gopal then Gopal will be happy and He will be taken care of nicely. You will be able to see Gopal here every day. Why are you hesitating?" In this way my doubt were cleared. The next day I was preparing to go to Bhubaneswar to see Gour Govinda Swami, but I heard that Gurudeva was coming to Gadeigiri. So I stayed and waited for his arrival. He came a few days later and I met with him. He asked me, "How are you? What about Gopal?" I said, "I have been waiting for you to come, to give Gopal to you. Gurudev looked at me for a moment and laughed. He said, "What has happened to you? What has brought about this change?" He said, "Has Gopal spoken to you?" I said, "Yes, Gurudeva, Gopal spoke to me." Then Gurudeva asked me, "What day was it that He spoke to you, and what time?" I told him, "Twelve days before, at 2:30am in the morning." Gurudeva nodded his head up and down. "Gopal came and spoke with me on the same morning at 2:00am then at 2:30am He came to you. That morning I was translating the Srimad-Bhagavatam into Oriya. I dozed off for a few moments.” Gopal came to me and said, "You installed Radha-Gopinath here. Has Gopinathreplaced Me in your life?" (His Holiness Gour Govinda Swami had commissioned a sculptor to make deities of Sri Sri Radha and Krishna to be exactly the same height, width, standing position, etc., as Sri Sri Radha Gopal in Gadeigiri, and installed them on the ISKCON property at Bhubaneswar, naming them "Radha-Gopinath"). Gopal again asked Gurudeva, "Is Gopinath the same for you as Me?" With folded hands Gurudeva replied, "No." Then Gopal said, "You are worshipping here, but I can't come here. Gadeigiri is the house of My devotees. They have no wealth, but there mind is always on Me. Even if they only offer Me a tulasi leaf and a little water I am happy there. There are always saying, 'Gopal! Gopal!' I cannot leave them and come here. You are not doing any service for Me because Ghanashyam has not given Me to you. He promised, 'Unless Gopal tells me to give Him.'" Gopal then said, "I will speak to Ghanashyam. First I have met with you and now I am going to Ghanashyam." While Gurudeva and I were speaking, one of my family members was there. They said, "You are always taking about donating Gopal, but your are only speaking and not giving." I said, "No, today I must donate Gopal to Gurudeva. Bring Tulasi and water and chant mantra." Gurudevaasked, "How will you donate to me?" I said, "As Srimad-Bhagavatam describes that Bali Maharaja donated to Lord Vamanadeva, like that I will donate Gopal to you. You place your hand undermine and I will donate three times with water and Tulasi leaf." I called for a brahmana who put Tulasi and water in my hand. I said, "First I donate to you Radha Gopal Jiu. Secondly I give you all of Gopal'sparaphernalia. Thirdly I donate the property to you. From tomorrow you will take charge.” |
· His Holiness Gour Govinda Swami immediately accepted Gopal and the property, and on 15 November 1993 he recorded everything in the name of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), the institution of his spiritual master, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
Orissa map
Gadeigiri is situated in the Jagatsinghpur district of east-central Orissa, less than 2 hours from Cuttack and 2½ hour from Bhubaneswar. Gadeigiriis a beautiful village situated amidst the tranquil solitude of rural Orissa, surrounded by lotus-filled ponds and green paddy fields. Gadeigiri has a most interesting history. The village is named after its founder, Gadai Giri, a great devotee of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. This village is extremely special as Lord Gopal Jiu came here especially from Sri Vrindavana Dhama in response to the desire of His devotee Gopal Giri and has stayed with the Giri family for over 250 years. During that time Gopal Jiu has manifested many unique and amazing pastimes. The history of those pastimes as well as that of the Giri family have been passed down for the last ten generations.
Jagatsinghpur district map
Gadeigiri is a very beautiful and quiet place much like other small villages in India, consisting mostly of mud huts with thatched roofs. The residents of Gadeigiri are very devoted to Krishna-bhakti and dedicated to Lord Gopal Jiu since generations. In front of almost every house one will find a shrine for the sacred Tulasi plant, and it is common to hear the sound of the Maha-mantra: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare | Hare-Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare || - being sung. The residents take their daily bath in the local pond, keep cows, and cook over cow-dung fires in the same way their ancestors have done for thousands of years. The main sources of livelihood are rice cultivation and the selling of brass utensils.
Sri Gopal Jiu Temple at Gadeigiri
The village Gadeigiri is named after its founder, Gadai Giri, who migrated from the district of Midnapore in the 17th century. He was a businessman who regularly came to the area to sell utensils and bell-metal items. Every year Gadai Giri would come during the rainy season, stay four or five months, and then return to Midnapore. Gadai Giri was a gentle and saintly person. He would rise early each morning and perform kirtan. Then after taking some flat rice and water he would go out selling brass utensils door to door. When evening arrived he would spend the night in some village and join with the local people in their daily custom of singing kirtan and reciting Srimad-Bhagavatam. He soon became well known as a good kirtansinger and a devotee. He received frequent invitations to take part in different sankirtana festivals celebrated for the pleasure of the various local deity's of Baladeva Jiu, Brindaban Bihari Jiu, Radha Madan Mohan Jiu, and Dadhi Baman Jiu.
Srimati Tulasi at Sri Gopal Jiu Temple
Appreciating Gadai Giri's saintly qualities, the local zamindar (feudal landlord) offered to give him some nearby land. Shortly thereafter GadaiGiri met a naga-sannyasi, a naked mendicant, who was very pleased with Gadai Giri's gentle behaviour and high character. One day, Gadai Giriand the sannyasi were walking together in the forest when suddenly they heard the sweet voices of several different kinds of birds as well as the sounds of a flute, ankle bells, and a conch shell. The naga-sadhu told him, "Where such auspicious sounds are heard, Lord Krishna Himself is present. Wherever Lord Krishna is present His consort Lakshmi, the Goddess of fortune, is also present. This is a sacred place, a place of glory. You should build a house here for your residence and engage yourself fully in the service of the Lord. Here, whatever you desire will immediately fulfilled".
Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha-Gopal Jiu, Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai and patita-pavana Lord Jagannatha
Presenting all these things before the zamindar, Gadai Giri received from him a large segment of land, including an area for cultivation. He cleared a small section of the jungle indicated by the naga-sadhu and built a house and a small Temple wherein he established a Deity of Dadhi Baman. When Lord Jagannatha is worshiped without his brother Baladeva and sister Subhadra, He is known as Patita Pavan or Dadhi Baman. Gadai Giri left his brass business and simply engaged himself in bhajan and kirtan. Many wandering sadhus and sannyasis came to join with Gadai Giri's kirtan. Gradually other people came to stay permanently, and a village developed in that place, in Gadai Giri's name.
Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha-Gopal Jiu
Sri Gopal Jiu here is extremely special as Their Lordships came especially from Sri Vrindavana Dhama in response to the desire of His devotee Gopal Giri and has stayed here for over 250 years.
Gadai Giri had only one son, who was named Gopal Giri. Gopal Giri was influenced by the devotional qualities of his father and was very devoted to Lord Jagannatha. Every year he would go to Puri to see the Rathayatra festival. He was also very attached to performing sankirtan, and was expert in many different styles of kirtan. In Gopal Giri’s heart was a strong desire to worship the Lord in His eternal form of Lord Gopala. Unable to find such a deity, he decided to go to Jagannatha Puri, thinking that if he would render service to Lord Jagannatha there, then somehow Gopal would come to him. Arriving in Puri, he stayed in the area known as Kundei Benta Sahinear Grand Road. As he was very scholarly, he easily obtained service in the office of the king, where he became the poddar, or cashier, for the Temple of Lord Jagannatha.
Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha-Gopal Jiu
Even whilst dutifully carrying out his obligations as a treasurer, he was always praying for that time when he could give his occupation and fully dedicate his life to the service and pleasure of his ista-deva - Lord Gopal - Krishna, the cowherd boy. He cried for the Lord to appear before him in that form and accept whatever service he could offer. He led a veryregulated life. He would daily go to see Lord Jagannatha and at the Temple he would sit on the bais pahaca, the 22 steps inside the compound leading up to the main darsana area, and there he would read Srimad-Bhagavatam. In the evening he would take Prasadam and go home. Every Sunday he would go to the Satalahari Math, a temple near the ocean, where he would sit and read Srimad-Bhagavatam and chant Harinam. He was very attached to Srimad-Bhagavatam.
Sri Gopal Jiu Temple at Gadeigiri
During the Rathayatra festivals in Puri, Gopal Giri would approach devotees and sadhus coming from Vrindavana and ask them: “Please give me your blessings so that I may obtain a deity of Lord Gopala; it is my heart’s desire to worship Him.” They would readily agree. "Yes, yes," they would say. "Next time I will bring a Gopal Deity for you." But no one ever brought a Deity. At this same time, in Vrindavana there was one renounced devotee who was worshiping a deity of Gopal.
Sri Sri Radha-Gopal Jiu (big)
One night this Gopal Deity told the Vaisnava, 'You take me to Gopal Giri, the son of Gadai Giri. He wants to offer Me worship. I want to go there. Take me there.' But the Vaisnava thought that it was only a dream. He did not take it seriously. After a few days Gopal came again in a dream and beat him with a cane on his legs. It was such a severe beating that his legs were bleeding. The sannyasi Vaisnava woke up and begged, apologizing, 'Please forgive me for my offense. I did not take Your order seriously. But You have beaten me so severely, how can I go there with such wounds on my legs?' Gopal said, 'When Gopal Giri touches you, it will be healed, otherwise you cannot be cured. You go there at once. Don't make any delay.'
His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Founder-Acarya of International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)
So the Vaishnava started walking from Vrindavana to Jagannatha Puri. At that time there was no communication system, no train or bus. The only way was by walking. It took him two and a half months to reach Puri. At this time Gopal Giri was staying in a rented house at Kundhei Benta Sahi in Puri. The Vaisnava reached Puri in the evening and stayed near the Jagannatha temple. Early the next morning he inquired, 'Who is Gopal Giri? I want to meet him.' Many people knew Gopal Giri. He was famous as the cashier of the Jagannatha temple. So he quickly found Gopal Giri at his rented house.
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