Sri Gopalkrishna Temple - History, Timings & Entry Fee

At a distance of 2.5 km from Vitthal Rukhmini Mandir, and 3.5 km from Pandharpur Railway Station, Sri Gopalkrishna Mandir is another prominent Hindu temple located at Gopalpur near the holy town of Pandharpur, Maharashtra. It is one of the best places to visit as part of Pandharpur tour packages.

Perched atop the Govardhan Parvat, Sri Gopalkrishna Temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna. The temple resembles that of a fort and has underground chambers. The temple premises has a kitchen and a grinding place, both of which are believed to be used by Lord Krishna. A Pandharpur tour is said to be incomplete if they have not stopped by this temple.

Gopalpur and Pandharpur are intertwined in the Lila of Lord Vitthal. According to Padma Purana, once Rukmini Devi left Dwaraka after she thought that Lord Krishna was showing greater affection for Radharani. Lord Krishna, along with cows and his Gopa friends, followed her to the Dindiravana forest on the banks of the sacred river Bhima. On reaching Gopalpur Hill, they stayed there grazing the cows while Lord Krishna went further to appease Rukmani Devi. Since then Gopalpur Hill has become very sacred like Govardhana Hill in Vraja Bhumi. This past time is commemorated even these days at nearby Vishnupad, where Lord Krishna's footprints square measure embedded on a stone block alongside the hoof prints of cow.

The Palkhya Yatra of the saint who came for the Ashadhi Yatra of Sri Vitthal Rukhmini Temple ends at Gopalpur on the full moon day. During the ceremony, the temple sees a huge crowd.

Timings: 6 AM - 6 PM

Entry: Free