Reconstruction of Mandir Shri Gopi Nath Ji in Vrindaban

Around 400 years old structure of temple of Shri Gopi Nath Ji which is currently located in Sukhan Mata Ki Kunj, Gautam Para, Vrindaban (District Mathura) India had become very feeble dilapidated and needed to be rebuilt. Many meetings and plannings were discussed with Ashtampithadish Goswami Swarups for the new shape of temple after dismantling the old one. Considering all the aspects it was decided to rebuild the new structure of temple. On the auspicious day of Basant Panchami 1999 a group of devoted disciples of Ashtampith started their sincere efforts to rebuild the temple in a new shape. A huge amount of donations were received for this holy work.

A trust was established in the year 2000 with the name of Mandir Shri Gopi Nath Ji (Dera Gazi Khan) Samiti (Regd) (Reg No 37005) and office bearer were elected. The following office bearers took the charge:

Chairman : Shri Amir Chand Girdhar of Faridabad
President : Shri Ishar Das Bhutani of Delhi
Vice President : Shri Mool Chand Mandwani of Surat
General Secretary : Shri Vasudev Tuteja of Delhi
Joint Secretary : Pt Shri Shyam Sunder Sharma of FBD (Now Late)
Cashier : Shri Chander Bhan Virmani of Delhi
Asstt Cashier: Shri Roshan Lal Bajaj of Delhi


Members

Shri Arjun Das Tuteja of Delhi
Shri Shiv Dayal Chhabra of Delhi
Shri Subhash Saluja of Delhi
Shri Arjun Dev Khattar of Faridabad
Shri Krishan Gopal Khattar of Faridabad
Smt Lajjo Bai of Faridabad
Shri Dwarka Das Nadwani of Panipat
Shri Krishan Lal Miglani of Panipat
Shri Lekh Raj Chugh of Surat
Shri G D Mehta of Mumbai
Shri Shyam Lal Bajaj of Gurgaon
Shri Puran Chand Grover of Gurgaon

The above committee contacted each and every disciple of Ashtampithadish in all over the country for their contribution in the construction work. Every one extended the fullest support. And with the excellent and sincere efforts of above committee members alongwith collective efforts of devoted disciples and Goswami Swarups of Ashtampith, the old construction of temple could be converted into a new beautiful temple in the year 2005.

When the new beautiful temple was ready, Goswami Swarups of Ashtampith and committee members decided to organize a huge patoutsav (Inauguration) so that Lord Shri Gopi Nath Ji (Shri Thakur Ji) could be placed on the new singhasan (Throne).

Finally on the Panchami of Aashad Maas 2005 (11/07/2005) (after two days of Rath Yatra) the Holy Diety of Shri Thakur Ji Maharaj was seated on singhasan in newly reconstructed temple. At the occasion, a huge patoutsav (Inauguration) programme was organised which started on 10th July 2005 and concluded on 12th July 2005. His Holiness Pujaya Shri 1008 Goswami Shri Chiman Lal Ji Maharaj of Shri Vallabh Kul from Gokul, kindly graced the utsav and blessed Goswami Swarups and all disciples inspiring them to celebrate the occasion every year with devotion before Lord Shri Gopi Nath Ji. At this occasion, many functions were organised like, Bhajans Kirtans by a Mandali, Shobha Yatra of Shri Gopi Nath Ji was moved from main places of Vrindaban, Krishan Raas Lila, Bhandara, Phool Bangala, Palana Utsav, Chhappan Bhog. Thousands of devotees enjoyed all the bhavya darshans of Shri Thakur Ji and all other programmes with full enthusiasm and devotion.

After the patoutsav, the first annual function was organized on 30th June 2006 with full devotion and enthusiasm. His Holiness Pujaya Shri 1008 Goswami Shri Pranvallabh Ji Maharaj Son of His Holiness Pujaya Shri 1008 Goswami Shri Braj Raman Lal Ji Maharaj of Shri Vallabh Kul from Mathura kindly graced the annual function and blessed to all who came to attend function. A shobha yatra of Shri Gopi Nath Ji was moved from main places of Vrindaban alongwith Bhajan/Kirtan. A Bhandara (Community Feast) was also organized. 

The second annual function was organized on 19th July 2007 on this occasion His Holiness Shri 1008 Goswami Braj Vallabh Ji Maharaj son of Pujaya Shri 1008 Goswami Shri Pranvallabh Ji Maharaj of Shri Vallabh Kul from Mathura blessed the all thousands devotees. 

This annual function will be celebrated every year on Panchami of Aashad Maas.

All of above a name of a very humble, diligent, God devoted person Late Pandit Shyam Sunder Sharma’s name of Sector 19, Faridabad (Haryana) can not be forgotten for his untiring devotion and contribution in reconstruction of temple. He was a great social worker and was always ready to help others. He took an initiative in temple committee and devoted his 3 years in the process of arrangement of construction. After few months from the date of construction he fell ill and was detected with kidney cancer, besides this, he continued his services in the temple. He did not bother about his bad health and inspite of that he prayed to Shri Thakur Ji to grant him two years life span so that he could complete his task which was assigned to him. It seems Shri Thakur had accepted his prayer and in that two years of time the structure of new temple came into being and then he passed away. Also active co-operation of Late Goswami Shri Krishan Lal Ji son of Pujaya Goswami Shri Radhu Lal Ji Maharaj of Ashtampith can not be omitted mention and for two years he did not leave site of the construction and stood shoulder to shoulder with Late Pt Shyam Sunder Ji. He guided Late Pt Shyam Sunder Ji and the Engineer to ensure that dismantling of old structure as also construction of new structure did not hamper with daily Aath Yaam (Eight Time) sewa of Lord Shri Gopi Nath Ji and Lord Shri Gore Dau Ji even for a single day. Lord Shri Gopi Nath Ji fructify efforts of His devotees