Sri Radha Shyam Sundar Temple in Vrindavan

The famous temple of Radha Shyam Sunder is situated around 10 kms from Mathura at Vrindavan. The name Vrindavan is on the name of devi ‘Brinda’  which is also known to be ‘tulsi’. This is the same place where Sri Radha and Sri Krishna spent most of their childhood time and performed various ‘Leela’

There are seven main temples of the sect known as Gaudiya Vaishnav sect in Vrindavan, out of which the temple of Sri Sri Radha Shyam Sundar needs special mention as it is sacred to all Vaishnavas because of the most unique, deity of Sri Shyam Sunder that is said to be directly manifested from Radharani’s heart. This temple is located at Loi Bazar at a place called Seva Kunj in Vrindavan Dham
This particular site is dedicated and known for the devotion of Sri Shyamananda prabhu who was said to be personally graced by Sri Radharani. She gave him this divine idol of Sri Shyam Sundar and a nupur tilak that resembles the shape of her foot.

The Bharatpur state king found a beautiful deity of Sri Radharani among his treasure in 1580. He brought this idol to the sacred kutir of Sri Shyamananda prabhu and here he performed her marriage with Sri Shyam Sundar on the day of Vasant Panchmi. The king built a beautiful temple for the couple and then Sri Lala Lali were shifted from underground grove of Shyamananda Prabhu to this temple
The Radha Shyamsundar temple has three sets of idols:

• Deities of Sri Lala Lali: Lala Lali means little boy or girl. That is the reason the smallest of all idols is given the name Lala Lali. Lala is the name of the idol that was given to Shyamananda Prabhu by Radharani manifested from her heart. It is said that before departing, Shyamananda prabhu gave the responsibility of these idols to Rasikananda Prabhu. The right side of the temple’s altar is adorned by these deities.
• Deities of Sri Radha kunjbihari: These deities were found in Nandgram by Mahant Sri Brajajanand Dev Goswami. After his demise, these were taken to Vrindavan and placed in this temple. These idols are on the left side of temple’s altar.
• Deities of Sri Radha Shyam Sundar: Standing right between these deities in the center are Sri Radha Shyam Sundar who were brought here by Baladev Vidya Bhushana on the Vasant Panchmi of 1719. He found that dressing small idols of Shyam Sundar is very difficult and instated these bigger idols.

The temple has a very large open area and a marble stage. It also has the idol of Brinda Mata on the opposite side of main deities.

Schedule of the temple

Darshan Timings:
04:00 am to 04:05 am
06:30 am to 08:20 am
08:30 am to 10:35 am
11:30 am to 11:45 am
04:15 pm to 06:15 pm
06:15 pm to 08:00 pm
09:00 pm to 09:15 pm

Aarti timings:
Mangala arati - 04:00 am
Dhupa Arati - 08:15 am
Shringar Arati - 10:30 am
Raj Bhog Arati - 11:30 am
Gvala Arati - 04:15 pm
Sandhya Arati - 06:15 pm
Shayan Arati - 09:00 pm

The best time to offer prayers at this mandir is during Vasant panchmi, which is celebrated as the most important festival here. Other festivals are also celebrated with great vigour.