Shifting of Temple from Dera Gazi Khan to Vrindaban Dham

In August 1947, when India was divided into two India and Pakistan at that time situation in Dera Gazi Khan became very pathetic and brutal, not only in Dera Gazi Khan but all North West Frontier (Now in Pakistan) side. Seeing the disturbance in the area, all the Goswami Swarup of Ashtampith had to decide to move at a safer place so that sewa of Shri Gopi Nath Ji (Shri Thakur Ji) could not get hampered. All the people from nearby areas gathered in the temple to get shelter. All the Goswami Swarups advised them not to get scared because Shri Thakur Ji was with them. Every one prayed before Shri Thakur Ji for safety, in the night, people noticed that a shining plate was moving round the temple. People were so sure that was non other but was “Sudershan Chakra”(Lord Krishan’s weopon) for their safety. Now all the people were confident that they would now remain safe since Shri Thakur Ji was with them and they left for safer place in the next morning. By the grace of Shri Thakur Ji all the people reached safely without even getting a small scratch on their body. When people left then Goswami Swarups arranged trucks so that all the family members with some luggage could move from Dera Gazi Khan. One Truck was made Khasa (Purified) to place the Holy Idol of Shri Thakur Ji. 

On 20th November 1947 kartik sudi Gopashtmi, Goswami Swarups started from Dera Gazi Khan with Shri Thakur Ji to Muzaffargarh on trucks (which was around 20 K M away from Dera Gazi Khan (other side of sindu river) after the Raaj Bhog. In the evening trucks reached Muzaffaegarh camps. Here Shri Thakur Ji was placed in a small hut where sandhaya arti and shayan sewa was performed. Shri Thakur Ji remained there for 3 days and all the sewas were performed accordingly. At that time following Goswami Swarups of Ashtampith and Mukhiyas (Sewa Dhar) were present in Shri Thakur Ji's sewa:

Goswami Shri Kanhaya Lal JI

Goswami Shri Dani Lal Ji

Goswami Shri Banka Lal Ji

Goswami Shri Shyam Lal Ji

Goswami Shri Panna Lal Ji

Mukhiyas


Shri Goru Lal Ji

Shri Bihari Lal Ji

Shri Kanhaya Lal Ji


Rest of the Goswami Swarups were accompanying with other family members to reach Shahbad Markanda (Near Ambala in India) refugee camps for their safety. 

On 23rd November 1947 at 6.00 P M Goswami Swarups moved from Muzaffargarh with Shri Thakur Ji by a train for Khanewal Junction (Now in Pakistan) from Khanewal they moved to Lahore and from Lahore to Attari enroute to Shahbad Markanda and reached on 25th November 1947. During the journey proper sewa of 8 yaam was performed. 

The utsav of Harprobodhini Ekadashi (Tulsi Vivah) was performed at Rajpura Junction (Punjab India) on the same day by evening they reached Shahbad Markanda refugee camps where other Goswami Swarups were present. Here Shri Thakur Ji remained for 20 days. On 15th December 1947 they left for Delhi and reached Delhi Junction at 4.00 A M on 16th December 1947. Shri Thakur Ji was placed in a small arch (Burji) outside the station of Delhi Junction. 

On the auspicious day of Vihar Panchami i.e 17th December 1947 after Raaj Bhog they moved for Vrindaban by special bus. They reached Vrindaban at 9.00 PM in the pre-existing own temple of Lord Shri Gore Dau Ji (Which was established by Shri 108 Goswami Kewal Ram Ji Maharaj Grand son of Shri 108 Goswami Lal Ji Maharaj) at Sukhan Mata Ki Kunj, Gautam Para, Vrindaban. After performing sandhaya and Shayan sewa Shri Thakur Ji was placed on Komal Shayia (soft sleeping bed) adjoining Lord Shri Gore Dau Ji. That was the happiest moment for all Goswami Swarups when Holy Idol of Shri Thakur Ji was placed with comfort. Since then Shri Thakur Ji Maharaj has been giving his glorious darshan in Vrindaban to all His devotees.