Famous Temples in India

Religious Significance

Once two Brahmins from Vidyanagar in Karnataka went on pilgrimage to Vrindaban. The senior was ill due to a lot of hardships on the way while the junior served him for early recovery. The old man was very pleased at his service and promised him a reward to marry his daughter. He even took a vow that he marry his daughter. However, on his return, the senior discussed his promise in the family and the family members were against his decision. The old man was disappointed at this and broke down. The elder son of the senior abused the youth. In the mean time local people gathered there. The elder son was an atheist and challenged the youth to bring the witness i.e., Lord Gopalakrishna as his evidence. Finding no other means the youth again visited Vrindaban and prayed to Lord to bear witness as the promise was made in his presence.

Lord Gopala, impressed by the young man's devotion, agreed to come and bear witness. Now the deity, made of a stone, told the youth how he would go to his village. The youth, an obstinate person pleaded, if the statue could talk, he could walk also. At last lord agreed on the condition that the youth would walk ahead and he would follow him but the Brahmin could not look back and if he did so, the deity would be a statue then and there. But He assured him that the youth would hear the sound of his Nupur (an anklet set with small bells). Thus the journey started for Vidyanagar. On the way, they reached the river Godavari and crossed the river. While walking on the sand the feet of lord dipped in sand and the sound was not heard. The youth was restless and out of anxiety, as he looked back, Lord Gopala was turned to be a statue then and there. The youth was almost gone mad and rushed to the village and narrated the incidence. The villagers came there and were stunned to see the statue of Lord Krishna of Vrindaban. The senior Brahmin repented at this and the promise was kept. they were later appointed as the first priests of the temple built in Lord Gopala's honour who came to bear witness (known in Sanskrit as Sakshi).