Gokul Chand Temple, Gokulnagar – The Temple

Gokul Chand Temple, Gokulnagar – The Temple

The temple follows pancha ratna style of architecture. The temple is facing towards east and stands over a raised platform. The temple covers an area of about 23,500 sq. ft. surrounded by a high compound wall. Some portions of the wall has broken down. The temple is about 65 feet tall. The temple can be accessed through an arched gateway. The temple has a square flat roof with curved cornices with a pinnacle at the centre flanked by four smaller pinnacles at the corner of the roof.

The central pinnacle is a huge octagonal structure. The corner pinnacles are small quadrangular structure. All the pinnacles has ridged roof. The temple consists of sanctum and verandahs on three sides, each with a triple arched entrance and circumambulatory path goes round the temple. The Idol of Lord Krishna in the sanctum has long been removed from the temple for safety purposes and is currently housed in Bishnupur.

The idol is brought back for five days every year during Holi and Ras. Apart from these five days, a photograph kept at the sanctum is being worshiped regularly. There is a stone staircase leading to the roof of the temple. There is a Natamandir situated on the southern end of the temple. The roof of the natamandir had been collapsed long time ago but the pillars and the arched gateways are still intact. It has a triple arched entrance facing the temple and a single arched entrance on the other two sides.

There are places designated for kirtan and Gita recitals in the natamandir. There is a small stone Tulsimancha between the natamandir and the main shrine. The external walls of the temple are decorated with reliefs depicting various avatars of Lord Vishnu, raslila motifs and other mythological incidents. There are several sculptures on the eastern and southern wall of the temple in square panels.

The sculptures are heavily eroded due to the natural elements. The eastern wall is decorated with raslila motifs and mythological incidents are sculpted on the southern wall. The Vamana avatar of Lord Vishnu can be seen on top of the western wall. The foundation plaque seen on the southern wall of the temple is illegible at present. There are several stone slabs scattered inside the temple premises.