राधा तू बड़भागिनी, कौन तपस्या कीन, तीन लोक तारन-तरन जो तेरे आधीन
Village Rawal, 8 kilometers away from Mathura, is famous as the birthplace of Shri Krishna’s beloved Radha. According to mythological beliefs, Radha’s father’s name was Vrishabhanu and mother’s name was Kirti. The ‘Radharani Ka Temple’ situated in this village is narrating the story of the union of Radha and Krishna.
A very ancient idol of Radha-Krishna, well known by the name of ‘Shri Ladli Lal’, is present in the temple. Here it is a popular belief that from the place where the sanctum sanctorum of the temple is, the idol of Shri Radha itself appeared and the idol of Shri Krishna was brought here from Gokulnath ji’s Pushtimargiya mansion and installed here. The image of the couple in the temple is very charming.
According to folk beliefs, Radha was born in Rawal, eleven and a half months before Lord Krishna. The birth festival of Shri Krishna ‘Nandotsav’ was celebrated at Gokul near Raval. Vrishbhanu and Kirti along with their daughter Radha went to Gokul in ‘Nandotsav’ to congratulate the birth of their son. Krishna’s cradle was swinging in Gokul’s ‘Krishna Bhavan’ and Radha was in the lap of her mother Kirti. Radharani opened her eyes for the first time and saw Shri Krishna. Before this Radha had not opened her eyes. The people of Braj call this wonderful incident as the first occasion of the meeting of beloved and beloved.
There is a copper plate in the Rawal temple, which dates back to the time of Mughal emperor Mohammad Shah Rangeela (1719-1748). In this copper plate, there is an order to give one rupee per day from the treasury of Mahavan for the maintenance of this temple. This copper plate is proof that the Mughal emperor also respected the sentiments of the people who had faith in this temple.
