Tota Gopinath Temple is a highly sacred temple dedicated to Bhagwan Krishna (Gopinath form) located in Gaudabad Sahi, Gambhira, Puri (Odisha). This temple is spiritually very powerful and attracts Gaudiya Vaishnavas and Krishna devotees from all over the world. It is considered one of the holiest sites in Puri along with the Jagannath Temple and Gambhira. Devotees strongly believe that visiting and worshipping Tota Gopinath brings blessings from both Bhagwan Krishna and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
Tota Gopinath Mandir History and Architecture
In Odia language 'Tota' means garden and 'Gopinath' means Bhagwan Krishna.
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu used to address Bhagwan Krishna as Gopinath. This idol was discovered by Gadadhara Pandit, a close associate of Mahaprabhu, while digging in a garden. The main entrance of the temple has two peacock carvings on either side. The architecture of the temple is simple and is guarded by two lion statues. Inside the sanctum sanctorum, on the central altar, sits the idol of Tota Gopinath accompanied by Goddess Radha and Goddess Lalita.
The right altar houses the idols of Gaura Gadhara and Radha-Madan Mohan and the leftmost altar houses Bhagwan Balarama and his two wives, Varuni and Revati.
This temple is famous because Bhagwan Chaitanya Mahaprabhu spent his last years here. It is believed that he merged into the idol of Tota Gopinath and thus disappeared from this world. A unique feature of this idol is that the Gopinath idol is not standing but sitting. Devotees believe that the Bhagwan appeared in this form so that Gadadhara Pandita, who had become feeble due to old age, could serve him easily.
Tota Gopinath Mandir Darshan Timing
Tota Gopinath Mandir is open for the whole week and the darshan timing is 6 AM to 7 PM. Daily seva, kirtan, and bhoga offerings are done here, keeping alive the tradition started by Gadadhar Pandit.
Tota Gopinath Mandir Prime Festival
Janmasthami, Jhulan are the prime festivals at Tota Gopinath Mandir. Chaitnya Mahaprabhu Jayanti and Ekadashi also celebrated with great way. Every day Gau seva is the prime thing in Tota Gopinath Mandir.
How to Reach Tota Gopinath Mandir
Tota Gopinath Mandir is located in the center of Puri, Odisha. Temple lies at a distance of about 3.9 km from the Puri Railway Station and approximately 4.1 km away from the Puri Bus Stand.