A 250 years old Temple of lord Krishna.

[MAYURDAVE 0]

“Goswami Haveli”-Pustimargiya temple of Shree Natwar Prabhu & Shree Syamlalji, is situated in Doshiwada ni Pole, Kalupur-the heart of Ahmedabad City, since 200 years. This is one of the main temple of pustimarg in Gujarat and as well as in India.

In Haveli seva - worship of Shree Natwarprabhu & Shree Shyamlalji is done according to the priciples of pusti sampraday (cult) founded by Mahaprabhu Shree Vallabhacharyaji.

Introduction to Haveli Construction :

According to principles of Shree Vallabhacharyaji, the construction of this haveli is nicely done. The temple is called ‘Haveli’ because it does not have any shikhar - dhwaja (dome - flags) as Lord Krishna had his leelaas in Nandraiji & Yashodaji’s home called Nandalay in Vraj.

The haveli campus is vastly situated in area above 5000 yards.

As we step into the haveli, we are in the jagmohan, where the devotees stay back for the darshan of Shree Thakurji . Inside jagmohan hall, we step into the main tibaari following by the centre chowk from where the vaishnavas - devotees have there darshan. On the both side of a chowk, there are tibaaris where the manorathas are done, these tibaaris are known as doltibaari & palnatibaari.

In front side of the main chowk there is Nijtibaari. Inside Nijtibaari Nijmandir is situated where the seva of Shree Thakuji is performed. Devotees are not allowed to go inside Nijtibaari. On the both side of Nijmandir, Bhogmandir and Sheeshmahal is situated. Moreover there are Phoolghar, Shaakghar, Krushnabhandar, Rasoighar, Baalbhogghar in the Haveli complex. There is a small Gaushaala (Cowshed) in back side of Haveli. The main Gaushaala is located at Asarva Bethak where more than 150 cows are looked after.

 

 

Shree Thakurji Swarupa

(Divine Idol)

Here the main idol is of Lord Shree Natvarprabhu. The idol resembles the nagdaman leela of Lord Shree Krishna, dancing on the head of kaliyanaag. This Swarup was worshiped by Mahaprabhu Shree Vallabhacharyaji and given to his descendant Acharyas.

This divine idol was along with Shree Vallabhacharyaji while Bharat Parikrama. This swarup is one of the chief Nidhiswarup of pushtimarg. Shree Natvarprabhu attainted all “Saptswarupotsav”-the biggest Celebration of Pustimarg with Lord Shreenathji at Nathdwara as the Prathamgruh (god swarup).

The second chief divine idol is of Shree Shyamlalprabhu. The idol resembles the flute playing leela of Lord shree Krishna. This swarup was worshiped by Mahaprabhu Shree Vallabhacharyaji and given to his one of the beloved follower Shree Gopaldas of Naroda(Ahmedabad).

 

Shree Acharya Parampara ( Historical View)

 

Mahaprabhuji Shree Vallabhacharyaji (V.S. 1535)- was the founder of Shuddhadwaitbrahmavad which is known as Pushtimarg. Shree Acharyaji was praised as Jagadguru by Shri Krushnadevrai- the King of Vijaynagar when he established the bhaktimarg above all cults at dharmasabha of Vijaynagar and Kanakabhishek was done by the king. Acharyashree was crowned as the head of all Vaishnav cults by other acharyas. He was honoured as Akhandbhumandalacharyvarya Jagadguru Mahaprabhu. Till now the descendant of Mahaprabhu Shree Vallabhacharyaji are the first ones to have the holy Kumbhasnana the biggest and the holiest occasion of Hindu religion.

Acharyaji has founded the first temple of Lord Shreenathji at Girirajji, Vraj. Acharyaji introduced the sewa parampara, till now it is continued by the descendant Acharyas. Acharyaji has roamed all over India three times to spread the concept of bhakti. Among lakhs of followers 84 were his great sevakas. Their stories are still popular.

Gosaiji Shree Vitthalnathji (V.S.1572)- the son of Shree Vallabhacharyaji was crowned as Acharya of the cult After Shree Vallabhacharyaji. He spread the pushtimarg all over. Many kings and well-known persons were impressed by his immortal personality. Samrat Akbar, Begum Tajbiwi, Raja Todarmal, Raja Birbal, Raja Ashkarna of narvargarh, Great musician Tansen, Rani Durgavati of Gadha, Ajabkunwarbai of Mewar, Queen of Dholka were few among them.

He founded the astyam seva of Shreenathji which includes seasonal manorathas, various arts, music - kirtans (Haveli sangeet), paintings (Pichhavai art). He introduced Bhog-rag-shingar concept of seva.

He was honoured as GOSWAMIJI by Samrat Akbar and given rights of vraj mandal. Lacks of people of casts and religions accepted him as Dharmaguru. Among them 252 were the great sevakas of him.

Goswami Shree Girdharji was the eldest son of Shree Vitthalnathji. He got the seva of Shreenathji and other swarupas including Shree Natwarprabhu after Shree Vitthalnathji. He stayed at Gokul and Jatipura(Vraj) and made seva and utsav parampara popular.

After Goswami Shree Girdarji, his son Goswami Shree Gopinathji (Dixitji) and his descendant Goswami Shree Mathuramallaji > Goswami Shree Purushottamji > Goswami Shree Balkrushnaji > Goswami Shree Vrajraiji (first) got the seva of Shree Natwar Prabhu.

Later in Vikram Samvat 1750 the idol was brought from Gokul > Kota to Jodhpur (Rajasthan).

Goswami Shree Raghunathji Later on he brought the swarup of Shree Natwarprabhu to Ahmedabad in V.S. 1851 and built a marvelous temple and started the seva. It known that the palkhi of Shree Natwarprabhu was carried by Lord Shiva with other sevakas. In present time the temple of Lord Shiva is also situated in the campus of Goswami Haveli. The sultan of Ahmedabad - Jawanmardkhan welcomed the procession of Shree Natwarprabhu and devoted the riyasat of 40 villages and assured 6% of his collection of land tax to Goswami Haveli.

Goswami Shree Gopinathji (Founder of the holy Dipakji) the eldest son of Shree Raghunathji let the lamp for the anushthan (rites) in Goswamihaveli. At the end of anushthan while observing meditation he attained the AMRUTSANJIVANI power. There kumkum came out in place of kajal (collyrium) from the holy lamp. From that kumkum the gaditilak was performed by the Acharyas.

Till now the holy lamp is in the campus of Goswami Haveli and akhand since more than 200 years. Devotees including vaishnavas and from other casts and religion are coming with faith for the darshan and worship of the holy Dipakji.

Goswami Shree Vrajbhushanji (Shree Chhotaji maharaj) was the

younger brother of Shree Gopinathji Maharaj. As Shree Gopinathji has no heir to him, he gifted the AMRUTSANJIVANI power to him. He worked hard to spread the name of cult far and wide. He celebrated the Chhappanbhog Manorath for the first time in Gujarat to please the Lord Natwarprabhu. In the Chhappanbhog celebration unfortunately seven vaishnavas were dead

due to stampede. To avoid/prevent this inauspicious event Shree Chhotaji Maharaj used his AMRUTSANJIVANI power and brought back the lives of the seven dead vaishnavas. Since than he became very popular, which he never liked and took the pledge-never to use this power again in public. The popular gujarati poet Dayarambhai was very much inspired by him and came under his influence and accepted the Pustimarg sect.

Goswami Shree Vrajraiji (second) was adopted by Shree Chhotaji Maharaj

from Gokul Haveli. Shree Vrajraiji Maharaj increased the name, flame and wealth of haveli. He developed 400 year older Asarva bethak one of the holiest place of pushtimarg sect. He established village Jodhpur near Ahmedabad.

Goswami Shree Madhusudanlalji was adopted by Shree Vrajraiji Maharaj

from Dauji Haveli - Mathura. He was very popular among reputed personalities of India. For the meeting of Delhi Darbar he was invited by King George 5th as a representative of Hindu religion. King George 5th was highly impressed by the speech of Shree Madhusudanlalji Maharaj and thus he honoured him by gifting a marvelous Sword and Revolver which are still safe in the haveli. On the occasion of Dussera Savari, the present Acharyashree keeps it. Maharaja Khanderao Gayakwad of Baroda allways invited Shree Madhusudanlalji in procession of Dussera.Rajmata Gayakwad celebrated a big reception on the marriage occasion of Shree Madhusudanlalji. He was fond and promoted arts, culture and Ayurveda.

Goswami Shree Ranchhodlalji was one of the respected Acharya among

whole vaishnav sect. He was very keen to seva and parampara. He dedicated whole life for spreading the concept and principles of Mahaprabhu Shree Vallabhacharyaji. He even went to intrim villages of Gujarat and Rajasthan. The present temple Goswami Haveli was renovated by him in 1930 A.D. In construction of this Haveli, he made beautiful combination of parampara and trend of culture. The Haveli was appraised by all present Acharyas of pustimarg.

Goswami Shree Vrajraiji (Third) was among the highly learned Acharya

in the Hindu religion. He was very fond of art, sewa, parampara and sanskrit literature. He lively took part in revolution called “Shreenathji Hamare Hain” by which Shreenathji’s sewa is not been undertaken by others. He sharply took part in managing the biggest celebration of pustimarg-SAPTASWARUPOTSAV. He was honoured as Shuddhadvait Tilkayatta, Shuddhadvait Sahastranshu, Shuddhadvait Vachaspati, Vidhyambhonidhi, Padavakyapramana-paravaraparinah by Shankaracharyaji and different institutions. He was announced as the chancellor of Bhagvat Vidhyapith. He gave the special importance to concept of gruh sewa shown by Mahaprabhu Shree Vallabhacharayaji.

 

 

Utsav-Manorath Parampara

In Pushtimarg utsav and manorathas are performed to appraise the lord. The Manorathas are based on various leelas of the Lord Shree Krishna. These were performed by vrajbhaktas and gopis to appraising the Lord Shree Krishna for his pleasures. The manorathas are performed according to different seasons. In Sawan-Hindolas, In Sharad-raslila, In Fagun-holikhel, in summer-jalvihar, nav, phulmandali, khaskhana, in Diwali-deepmalika and hatri are performed. Other manorathas like Chhappanbhog, Annakoot, Vivaah, Daanleela, Saanjhileela, Nandmahotsav, Bagicha, Chhaakleela and many more are prerformed as per tradition for the pleasure of the Lord. The kirtans(devotional songs), pichhavais, Shringar, Bhog saamagri etc. are also followed as per the manorathas.

 

Heritage

Goswami Haveli is one of the historical Haveli of pusti cult. Here various arts like music, painting, culture, traditions are maintained since 500 years - from the time of Mahaprabhu Shree Vallabhacharyaji. Many invalueable ancient things and literary works are safe even today here, in which manuscripts, tamrapatras, ancient literatures on different subjects like purana, ayurveda, dharmashastra, vyakarana, upanishadas etc. are there. Many royal handicrafts made for Shree Thakurji includes hindola, palna, hatri bangla made of sandal wood, shells, ivory, gold, silver and precious stones. Many other things like pichhvais, paintings, portraits, musical instruments, carts, palkhis, furniture, traditional dressings, swords, canons. The tradition is maintained from the ancient time, this Haveli is one of the r rare.

 

 

Introduction to Haveli Sangeet

Gosaiji Shree Vitthalnathji introduced the art of devotional music to appraise the leelas of Lord Shree Krishna. Shree Vitthalnathji appointed his eight sevakas of different culture and tradition to preform devotional music to appraise Shreenathji, that made the great combination of Indian Art. The Haveli Sangeet is based on Drupad Dhamar tradition of Indian classical music. The various instruments used in Haveli Sangeet, includes pakhawaj, sarangi, dilruba, tanpura, vina, flute, jhanz, tal. Above all selection of instruments are based on the seasonal manorathas and timings. Since 500 years Haveli Sangeet is one of the essential part of pustimarg.

 

 

Introduction to pichhvai art

Gosaiji Shree Vitthalnathji introduced the artistic tradition to sewa prakar of pustimarg. The inheritance of pichhwai art resembles the artistic behavior of the cult. The pichhvai art is inspired from the ancient Kishangarh art. Mainly Krishnalila and other shringararas related art is highlighted. Mostly pichhvais are of 8' x 10' size. By the grace of pustimarg the privilege of this precious art is alive even today. The artists of this field are praised well by the Acharyas even today.

 

Jai Shree Krishna,

MAYUR DAVE

Ahmedabad, Gujarat, INDIA

 

[Guest guest]

Jai Shri Krishna,

 

thankyou very much for sharing this information..

 

can u please provide where other havelis are located within Ahmedabad as well?

[Guest guest]

Heritage walk of Ahmedabad - A City Revisited

The Heritage walk of Ahmedabadis conducted by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation with NGO, CRUTA Foundation like most Indian cities, has a long history and strong architectural and urban character. The AMC has been, since 19th Nov1997- as a part of World Heritage Week - conducting this Heritage Walk of Ahmedabad as a part of its cherished project " Getting the City to the People ".

 

The Heritage Walk of Ahmedabad is a guided walk of two and a half hours. This daily affair by the AMC is extremely well designed in guidance and co-operation with CRUTA and Swaminarayan Trust, being operationalised by a group of young volunteers. There is also a half hour special slide show running through pages of the city's history unfolding back its birth from a 10th century AD ancient site known as Ashaval to the present walled city re-founded during the period of Ahmedshah and onwards.

 

The walk begins from the picturesque Swaminarayan Mandir in Kalupur and ends in the most glorious architectural legacies the Jumma Masjid, covering in between the numerous pols, havelis, ornamental facades, workplaces of artisans and number of magnificent Hindu and Jain temples. Our walk effectively anchored by our volunteer Rajesh Gajjar, proceeded from Kavi Dalpatram Chowk - which housed the great 19th century Gujarati poet - in Lambeshwar ni Pole, to the classic reminisces of the city's textile era - the Calico Dome to the century old Kala Ramji Mandir in the Haja Patel ni Pole with a unique idol of Lord Rama in dark colour and in a sitting posture.

 

A special feature of Ahmedabad is the plan of the old city, comprising numerous pols, self contained neighborhoods, sheltering large numbers of people, traversed by narrow streets, usually terminating in squares with community wells and chabutaras for feeding birds.

 

The walk moving through Doshiwada ni Pol, Zaveri Vad to Chaumukhji ni Pol saw ornate temples with their fascinating wooden carvings hidden under plain exteriors camouflaged beneath the aura of Mughal rule, and lanes punctuated with intriguing chabutras (bird feeders) to a three foot wide alley leading into the 110-year old Harkunvar Shethani ni Haveli.

 

Moving through the historical Fernandez Bridge brought us to Manek Chowk where amidst the deafening traffic and full of parked vehicles Rajesh told us the legend of Manek Baba after whom the chowk was named and the Manek Baba Mandir at the site where he shrank and entered a bottle to show his magical powers to Ahmed Shah, the founder of the City. "Heritage is the soul of the city" remarked Ms.Parker as we walked into the Rani no Hajiro through the Badshah no hajiro to finally culminate at the magnanimous Jama Masjid.

 

Heritage Walk of Ahmedabad

THANK YOU.

MAYUR DAVE,AHMEDABAD,GUJARAT,INDIA…..