We started our parikrama in Jaipur by visiting Madan Mohan Temple in Karoli.
Karoli (Karauli) is about 182 km southeast of Jaipur and about 100 km southwest of Mathura. It is a small town and is home to the important Madan Mohan Temple.
Madan Mohan means “one who can even enchant Cupid.” The Deity of Madan Mohan (formerly Madan-Gopal) was made for Krishnas great grandson Vajranabha and for many years it was lost…
Advaita-acarya found the Deity near Dvadasatiya Hill in Vrindavan and before His departure for Navadvip He entrusted the Deity to brahmana Chaubhe in Mathura. Years later Caitanya Mahaprabhu sent Sanatana Goswami to Vrindavan to discover lost places of Krishnas pastimes and write books about devotional service.
Sanatan used to beg in nearby Mathura and one day came to doors of the brahman Chaubha. He saw brahmanas children playing with the Deity as if Madan Mohan was one of them. Horrified Sanatan chastised Chaubha and taught him proper ways of Deity worship. Both Sanatan and brahman had a dream that night. Madan Mohan appeared to Sanatan and told him, that he liked to be treated as one of the brahmanas children and since Sanatan introduced so many rules, He dont like it any more.
To Chaubha Madan Mohan said that he is like one of his children. He told him that he had many children and he should give Him to Sanatan. Next morning both devotees wanted to apologize, but at the end Madan Mohan went with Sanatan. But not before He promised to Sanatan that He would be satisfied with whatever he will be able to offer. Sanatan, being traveling mendicant could not give much luxury to his Deities.
And after some time wealthy businessman build a temple for Madan Mohan that became one of the symbols of Vrindavan.
Maharaja Jai Singh brought Madan Mohan to Jaipur from Vrindavan. His brother-in-law, Maharaja Gopal Singh, had a dream in which Madan Mohan said “Take Me to Karoli.” He then told Maharaja Jai Singh about the dream and asked permission to bring Madan Mohan to Karoli. Maharaja Jai Singh told him if he could distinguish Madan Mohan from Govinda and Gopinatha, the two other main Deities of Jaipur, while blindfolded, then he could take the Deity. When Gopal Singh was blindfolded, he directly approached Madan Mohan and touched his feet.
In the temple, there are three altars. Madan Mohan stands on the center altar, with Sri Radha on his left and Lalita Devi on his right. On the left altar is Gopalaji Krishna with Radha and Lalita. The king of Karoli worshiped these Deities 100 years before Madan Mohan came to Karoli. The Deity receives a midday offering consisting of fifty-six dishes. Most of the preparations are sweet—malpura, sweet samosas, and other items.
More info: www.kksblog.com/2019/11/jaipur-part1-braja-parikrama-2019/