Nimbark Ashram Temples - Poems in Stones
BY: STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Dec 7, ALLAHABAD, INDIA (HINDUSTAN TIMES) — Allahabad is replete with religious sites. Most of them are linked with important historical backdrop. Nimbark Ashram situated at Rambagh is one such site which is about 150-year-old. This ashram has two important temples - Sri Radha Sarveshwar temple and Shiv temple - on its premises.
Sri Radha Sarveshwar temple is the best example of Awadh style of architecture. Intricately designed doors enhance its beauty. The base of the temple is square-shaped while its 'shikhar' is octagonal. Lime plaster and lakhauri bricks have been used in its construction. There are idols of Radha-Krishna in the temple along with the statues of Vidyadhar or the flower-bearer.
The Shiv temple is yet another intricately designed structure. It has also been built on a square base with carved octagonal shikhar. Stone has been used for its construction. There is a 'Shivling' inside with an idol of Goddess Parvati. The idol of Nandi with a hooded snake is placed outside.
The interior portion of the shikhar has several engraved figures of different deities while its exterior has been ornated with the idols of saints. There are also eight female fairy-like figures which are shown in variable poses and they bear several musical instruments such as snake-charmer's flute, manjira, dholak and sarangi. The shikhar is surrounded with patterned stone windows.
In his book 'Allahabad ke aitihasik sthal', Dr Prabhakar Pandey dates back the construction of the temple to 1857. Mentioning about the significance of the ashram, he writes that the place is one of the siddhpeeths of Prayag.
"There are several religious places associated with Madhav Bhagwan in Allahabad and he is worshipped by different names. Shastras and Puranas mention the occurrence of 12 Madhavas. However, on account of geographical changes in the city, all 12 Madhavas are not found here any more. Mukund Madhav near Akshayvat, Veni Madhav in Daraganj and Radha Madhav in Nimbark Ashram are worshipped till date," said Dr Pandey.
Dr Pandey also describes the history of ashram in his book. Approximately 200 years ago, Baba Thakur Das, guru of Sant Radhika Das, arrived at this place from Vrindavan and stayed here for veneration. Raja Basant Singh, ruler of Samarpaha state, Rae Bareli arrived here during the Mahakumbh in 1837 and took 'deeksha' from Baba Thakur Das.
The ruler built a temple in memory of his guru and established Sri Radhakrishna darbar and Sri Ramjanaki darbar while the other temple was dedicated to Lord Shiva.
"According to the historical facts associated with the temple, it is evident that the Rambagh mohalla has been named on Sri Ramajanki darbar. Raja Basant Singh was sent to jail in London during 1857 mutiny where he died. He had no issue and his wife Dariyavkunwar also died after some time," said Dr Pandey.
According to the mahant tradition prevailing in ashram, Mahant Radhika Das had several successors including Ganga Das, Baladas, Janakidas, Jaibiharidas and Swami Radhakrishna Das. Baba Jaibiharidas used to spend most of his time in Rae Bareli and thus he entrusted the management of the temple to Dr Swami Radhakrishna Das who is credited for its overall renovation.
Dr Swami Radhakrishna Das installed the idol of Lord Hanuman in 1992 which is facing south. He died in 1998.
According to Deepali Bannerjee, a devotee, the main Nimbark Ashram is found in Rajasthan. "The followers of Nimbark sect also worship Neem tree and it is considered very important," she added.
At present, the eighth mahant Radha Madhav Das looks after the management of the ahsram. The main activities which take place in the ashram are satsang, medical treatment, akhand kirtan and religious festivals such as Krishna Janmashtami, Shivratri and Hanumat Jayanti.
