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The Gopishvara Mandir (temple) houses Lord Siva in his form of Gopishvara, who appears as a large Shiva Lingam, brown in color during the daytime, and at night, Gopishvara is dressed in sari and appears in his female feature as a gopi. In the morning, many devotees come to the Gopishvara Mandir to take Gopishvara Mahadev’s darshan, some bathing him with either milk or water, others coming to offer worship, and others coming to offer food and/or prayers Lord Krishna’s great grandson Vrajranabha was the person to install this Shiva Lingam. Five thousand years ago when Krishna wanted to engage in His Maha Rasalila, Lord Shiva and his wife, Parvati Devi, very much wanted to see this event. Mother Parvati was allowed to enter the arena of the Rasalila, but as Lord Shiva tried to enter, he was told that he could not come due to the fact that he was possessed of a male body. It was explained by the gopi Vrinda (after whom Vrindavan is named) that no male except for Krsna was allowed to enter into this Rasa arena.
Lord Shiva feeling so much distressed being denied access into the arena, began to cry very intensely. Seeing His heart’s remorse, Vrindadevi felt great compassion and decided she would enable Lord Shiva to enter into the arena of the Rasa Lila. Vrindadevi told Mahadev to go to Manasarovar to take bath and explained that if he did so, he would be able to enter into the Rasa arena. Following the instruction of Vrindadevi, Lord Shiva after coming out from the water had attained a female form. He then went to the arena of the Rasalila where Krsna upon seeing this new gopi, called "her" Gopishvara. At this, Srimati Radharani became upset. "Why is it you are calling this particular gopi by this name. I am Gopishvara." Krishna then explained the situation and Srimati Radharani became most happy.
Krishna then designated the duty to Gopishvara Mahadev that he should remain always at the entrance of the Rasalila in the position of a guardian, that he would allow entrance into the Rasalila arena only those persons qualified to enter. Since that day, Gopishvara Mahadev keeps this service to Krishna and His beloved gopis.
Gopishvara is the guardian of the Rasalila and the guardian of Vrindavan. Anyone who comes to Vrindavan must first come to Gopishvara to beg his permission and get his mercy to enter into Vrindavan.
It is said that the Vraja gopis themselves installed the Shiva linga of Gopishvara and worshipped him for the fulfillment of their desires. Of this worship, Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada said, "The gopis worshipped Lord Shiva in Vrindavan, and the Lord is still staying there as Gopishvara. The gopis, however, prayed that Lord Shiva bless them by giving them Lord Krishna as their husband."
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