About the Temple & Location :
This Divyadesam is 8 miles away from Mathura.
To reach this Temple, one has to travel 3 miles from Mathura and cross the bridge on the Yamuna river.
After that, travelling 5 miles by road, we can reach the Temple of Gokulam.
The Navamohana Krishna Temple, also referred to in Sri Vaishnava tradition as Tiruvaipadi, is one of the Divya Desams, the 108 temples of Vishnu revered by the 12 poet-saints called the Alvars. It is located in modern day Gokul, in the Mathura district of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is located 15 km south-east of Mathura. It is regarded to be the site of Krishna's childhood past-times.
The place is revered by Andal, the only female Alvar. It is also closely associated with the ancient Nappinai cult of Tamil Nadu.
Legend
This Divyadesam is 8 miles away from Mathura.
To reach this Temple, one has to travel 3 miles from Mathura and cross the bridge on the Yamuna river.
After that, travelling 5 miles by road, we can reach the Temple of Gokulam.
The Navamohana Krishna Temple, also referred to in Sri Vaishnava tradition as Tiruvaipadi, is one of the Divya Desams, the 108 temples of Vishnu revered by the 12 poet-saints called the Alvars. It is located in modern day Gokul, in the Mathura district of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is located 15 km south-east of Mathura. It is regarded to be the site of Krishna's childhood past-times.
The place is revered by Andal, the only female Alvar. It is also closely associated with the ancient Nappinai cult of Tamil Nadu.
Legend
According to Hindu tradition, Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu, spent his childhood days in Gokulam. He danced over the subdued Kaliya on the banks of the river Yamuna. This divine act was witnessed by the people of Gokulam, Krishna's foster-father Nanda, and his brother Balarama. A chapter in Aichar Kuruvai describes the event. The association of Nappinnai, the beloved shepherd girl with Krishna is unique to Tamil tradition, like the huntress Valli with Murugan. According to some scholars, the Radha cult of the later period was close to the ancient Nappinai cult of Tamil Nadu.
Architecture
The Navamohana Krishna temple is located on the banks of river Yamuna, 15 km (9.3 mi) from Mathura. It is located on the other side of Yamuna river from Mathura, and one has to cross the river to reach the temple. The temple is believed to be a modern addition, with the old temple destroyed due to various political scenarios. The temple has a small shrine and pillared halls. The sanctum houses the image of Navamohana Krishna temple in its childhood form. The temple tank is located to the west of the temple, parallel to river Yamuna.
Sthalapuranam
Sri Krishna, who was born to Sri Vasudeva and Devaki in Mathura, was brought up by Nandagopar and Yasodhai in Aayarpadi. This is the place where Sri Krishna spent all of his childhood days.
The temple where the Alwars did the mangalasasanam of the perumal is not in existence now and the idols now found are said to be installed in the later date.
Soordasr, who was one of the disciples of Sri Vallabhacharya was a blind person and after he was brought up to this temple, he was blessed by Sri Krishna and praised the perumal in poems.
In the life of a person, there are two main relationships that will continue and end till our lives. One is the mother and the next is the wife. For Sri Krishna, there are two mothers, Devaki who gave him the birth and the other one is Yasodha who brought him up. Like how he got two mothers, he got two wives also. One is Rukmani and the other one is Sathyabama. Thus, Sri Krishna gives importance to both of his mothers and his two wives. To explain this, this sthalaperumal Navamohana Krishna gives his seva along with his two wives, Rukmani and Sathyabama in standing posture.
The Aayarpadi Sthalapuranam is closely related with Mahakavi Soordasa and Sathyabama. In the previous Janmha, Soordasa lived as Akroorar, once a great devotee who is considered to be a great person in character and a sincere Vishnu bhakta.
One day, Sathyabama was feeling lonely in the palace and she was in an urge mood to see Sri Krishna. But, Sri Krishna was unable to come to the palace then. At that time, Akroora came to the palace. On seeing the restlessness of Sathyabama he asked for the reason why she was restless? She said that she wants to see Sri Krishna that too in one minute, if he doesn’t come in a minute, she will sacrifice her life. As her name is Sathyabama, she will do whatever she says. Hearing this from Sathyabama, Akroora went in search of Sri Krishna. He could not find him anywhere. The time is also running and it is almost to the end of a minute. Without knowing the consequence, Akroora himself changed into Sri Krishna and stood in front of Sathyabama. On seeing this, Sathyabama could not recognize that it is only Akroora who had come there as Sri Krishna and she started to talk to him in love words.
After this, Akroora went towards Sri Krishna and told him what had happened. On hearing this, Sri Krishna got angry on him and shouted at him that he has imitated the perumal (Paramathma) and by doing this he has committed a sin and that is his eyes saw Sathyabama in a different way. so, Sri Krishna cursed him that in the next Janma he will be born as a blind person and Sathyabama as an ordinary working person. But, at the same time, he said once they get the Gnana, their curse will wither away.
As cursed, Akroorar was born as “Soordasa”, in the next Janma. Despite being blind only in vision, his Gnana was so bright and he always praised the Lord through his songs and finally he got the Sabha vimochan through Sri Krishna.
About 4 miles away from Aayarpadi, there is a place named “Purana Gokulam” and a Krishna temple which is considered to be Gokulam. The Yamuna river flows in front of the purana (old) Gokulam temple and idols of Nandagopa, Yasodha and Balarama are seen. In a wooden cradle, one can see Sri Krishna posing as a child.
This Gokulam divyadesam is said to be with many of childhood naughty acts performed by Sri Krishna. The devotees are advised to visit both Gokulam and Old Gokulam.
Moolavar:
The Moolavar of this Gokulam sthalam is Navamohana Krishna. Moolavar is standing posture (Nindra thirukkolam) facing east. Pratyaksham for Nandagopar.
Thaayar:
Sri Rukmani & Sri Sathyabama are the two Naachiyaars giving divine grace to this kshetram.
Mangalasasanam:
Periyalwar – 10 Paasurams
Andal – 5 Paasurams
Thirumangai Alwar – 7 Paasurams.
Pushkarani:
Yamuna river.
Vimaanam:
Hema Kooda Vimaanam.
