History, Importance, Timing, Festival Celebration, Interesting Facts, 2nd Bethakji of Vallabhacharya Mahaprabhuji, Gokul, Mahaban, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India
Bethakji are the holy site for the followers of the Pushtimarg tradition of the Vaishnava Sampradaya. These sacred places are located across the India and associated with Shri Vallabhacharyaji – Mabhaprabhuji who lived in 15th century, the founder of Pushtimarg and his descendants. There are total 142 Bethakji, in which 84 Bethakji of Shree Mahaprabhuji, 28 of his son Viththalanath Gusainji and 30 of his seven grandsons. Shri Govindghat Badi Bethakji located in Gokul is among the second one of the 84 Bethakji of Shree Mahaprabhuji.
Thre are three Bethakji of Mahaprabhuji are located in Gokul, the childhood place of Lord Krishna. The second Bethakji also called the Badi Bethakji of Shri Vallabhacharya Mahaprabhuji is located near Shri Dwarikadhish Temple. Second bethakji is biggest out of the three bethakji of Gokul where Shri Mahaprabhuji used take his meal and and perform Bhagwad vaarta, the divine discourse regularly.
Interesting legend associated with second bethakji and Swami Shyamanand, saint of Vrindavan who visited here. Swami Shyamananda had hanged the purse of his Thakorji Shaaligramji on the branch of a tree there. On returning after the Darshan, he could not find his purse on tree. He went to Shri Mahaprabhuji and told that may be some disciple had stolen his purse. Shri Mahaprabhuji said his disciple cannot do this and asked him to go and see again. He was shocked to see many similar kind of purses hanged on the branches of the tree. He could not recognized his own Shaligram. Thus he return back to Mahaprabhuji, then Shri Mahaprabhuji said if you can’t identify your own deity then how would you be performing seva? He asked him to look at the tree again, to his surprise now there was just his purse hanging there.
How to Reach Badi Bethakji, Gokul, 2nd Bethakji of Mahaprabhuji, Gokul, Uttar Pradesh, India
Badi Bethakji is located near Dhwarikadhish Temple Gokul where lots of devotee visits around the year. Gokul being one of the major pilgrimage center and tourist destination, of Uttar Pradesh located just 10 km from Mathura where people across the world visits around the year. It is very well connected with all major cities of India via road, rail and air network. Mathura has major railway junction just at 10 km from Gokul from where you can get train to almost all region of India. Agra Airport and Delhi Airport are the nearest airport at distance of 65 and 170 respectively from Gokul. From where you can get flight to all major cities of India and across the globe. You can find private taxi and public transport as well from both airport to reach to Gokul. It is located at just 24 km from Vrindavan, 10 km from Mathura, 58 km from Barsana, 35 km from Jatipura, 36 km from Govardhan hill, 53 km from Agra, 187 km from Delhi. You can get direct buses from Agra, Delhi etc. to reach Gokul.