The 7 Thakur of Vrindavan are revered deities central to the spiritual and cultural heritage of Vrindavan. Each deity holds a unique place in the Vaishnav tradition. India is home to numerous temples dedicated to various deities, each with its unique significance and devotion. Among these, Shri Vrindavan Dham, located in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh, holds a special place as the divine playground of Lord Krishna. This sacred land is where Lord Krishna, Radha Rani, Nand Baba, and the residents of Gokul spent several years. Vrindavan is adorned with countless temples dedicated to Krishna and Radha Rani, each with fascinating histories and deep spiritual importance. Additionally, many temples in Vrindavan are dedicated specifically to “Thakur Ji” (Lord Krishna).
A Unique Spiritual Belief
According to religious beliefs, the deities of Thakur Ji in Vrindavan were not crafted by human hands but are said to have manifested themselves miraculously. During the reign of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, Vrindavan’s temples came under attack. To protect the deities, devotees moved these divine idols to various states across India, where they were reinstalled in temples.
Today, these deities are worshipped in their respective forms across Vrindavan and other parts of India. In this article, we share the current locations and forms in which Thakur Ji resides, continuing to bless devotees with His eternal grace and divinity.
Table of Contents
1. Shri Radha Govind Dev Ji, Jaipur – [7 Thakur of Vrindavan]
- Discovered at: Goma Teela, Vrindavan
- Current Location: Royal Palace Temple, Jaipur
Historical Background
Shri Rupa Goswami, a prominent disciple of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, came to Vrindavan to revive its spiritual glory. One night, Lord Govind Dev appeared in Rupa Goswami’s dream and revealed His location under the Goma Teela. Upon excavation, a magnificent deity of Shri Govind Dev was uncovered.
On Magh Shukla Panchami (1594 CE), the deity was ceremonially re-established. Later, the idol of Shri Radha Ji, originally brought to Odisha, was reinstated alongside Shri Govind Dev.
In the reign of Raja Man Singh, a grand temple was built in Vrindavan where the deity resided for 80 years. However, during Mughal attacks under Aurangzeb, devotees relocated the deity to Jaipur, where it now resides in the royal palace temple.
2. Shri Madan Mohan Ji, Karauli – [7 Thakur of Vrindavan]
- Discovered at: Dwadashaditya Teela, Vrindavan
- Current Location: Karauli, Rajasthan
Historical Background
The deity of Shri Madan Mohan was discovered by Advaita Acharya near Dwadashaditya Teela in Vrindavan. During a period of unrest, the deity was entrusted to a Chaturvedi family in Mathura. Later, Sanatan Goswami brought the deity back to Vrindavan and reinstalled it in 1533 CE.
A grand temple was later built by Ramdas Kapoor, a merchant from Multan, and a king from Odisha. When Mughal invasions intensified, devotees relocated Shri Madan Mohan Ji to Jaipur. Eventually, the deity was established in a temple built by Raja Gopal Singh in Karauli, where it remains to this day.
3. Shri Gopinath Ji, Jaipur – [7 Thakur of Vrindavan]
- Discovered at: Vamsivat, Yamuna Bank, Vrindavan
- Current Location: Purani Basti, Jaipur
Historical Background
The deity of Shri Gopinath Ji was discovered by Paramanda Bhattacharya near Vamsivat in Vrindavan. He entrusted the deity’s service to Madhu Pandit Goswami, who worshipped the deity for 40 years.
Rajasthani Rajputs later constructed a temple for the deity. During Aurangzeb’s attacks, the deity was moved to Jaipur. Today, Shri Gopinath Ji resides in the Purani Basti temple in Jaipur.
4. Shri Jugal Kishore Ji, Panna (Madhya Pradesh) – [7 Thakur of Vrindavan]
- Discovered at: Kishorvan, Vrindavan
- Current Location: Jugal Kishore Temple, Panna
Historical Background
Shri Jugal Kishore’s deity was discovered by Hariram Vyas at Kishorvan in Vrindavan on Magh Shukla Ekadashi in 1620 CE. The deity was later established in a temple built by Raja Madhukar Shah of Orchha.
During Mughal invasions, the deity was relocated to Panna in Madhya Pradesh, where it is now worshipped in the old Jugal Kishore Temple.
5. Shri Radha Raman Ji, Vrindavan – [7 Thakur of Vrindavan]
- Discovered at: Vrindavan
- Current Location: Radha Raman Temple, Vrindavan
Historical Background
Shri Gopal Bhatt Goswami, a disciple of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, worshipped Shaligram Shilas (sacred stones). His prayers for a deity form were answered when one Shaligram transformed into the self-manifested deity of Shri Radha Raman Ji on Vaishakh Purnima (1542 CE).
Radha Raman Ji remains the only deity in Vrindavan that was never relocated, even during Mughal invasions. The deity is unique for its detailed divine features and is still worshipped in Vrindavan.
6. Shri Radha Vallabh Ji, Vrindavan – [7 Thakur of Vrindavan]
- Discovered at: Received as dowry by Hit Harivansh Ji
- Current Location: Radha Vallabh Temple, Vrindavan
Historical Background
Shri Radha Vallabh Ji was gifted to Hit Harivansh Ji as part of his marriage dowry. Initially established in Seva Kunj, Vrindavan, the deity was later moved to a grand temple built by Sundar Lal Bhatanagar.
During Mughal attacks, the deity was taken to Kama in Rajasthan. In 1785 CE, Shri Radha Vallabh Ji was brought back to Vrindavan and reinstated in the newly constructed temple.
7. Shri Banke Bihari Ji, Vrindavan – [7 Thakur of Vrindavan]
- Discovered at: Nidhivan, Vrindavan
- Current Location: Banke Bihari Temple, Vrindavan
Historical Background
On Margashirsha Shukla Panchami, the deity of Shri Banke Bihari Ji manifested to Swami Haridas Ji during his devotional prayers in Nidhivan. The deity was later moved to Bharatpur during Mughal invasions and eventually reinstated in Vrindavan in 1764 CE.
Unlike other temples, Banke Bihari Ji’s temple observes Mangala Aarti only once a year, during the early morning after Janmashtami.
Key Highlights
- The 7 Thakurs symbolize the spiritual legacy of Vrindavan.
- Their relocation and preservation reflect the devotion and resilience of their followers.
- Each deity has unique traditions, such as Shri Radha Raman Ji’s noontime Janmashtami celebration and Shri Banke Bihari Ji’s rare Mangala Aarti.
