Amiya Nimai
A Comprehensive Guide to Śrī Vṛndāvana Dhāma
In this temple is the largest Deity of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu (over 2.3m or 7 feet tall) in Vrindavana. Sishir Kumar Ghosh, the founder of the Amrit Bazaar Patrika, a well-known Calcutta English newspaper, worshiped this Deity. Sarvabhauma Madhusudan Gosvami, of the Radha-Raman temple in Vrindavana, initiated him. Kumar Ghosh wanted to give these Deities to Krishna Caitanya Gosvami, of the Radha Raman temple, to worship in Vrindavana. After the death of Kumar Ghosh, the Deity was locked in a room and was not worshiped. Krishna Caitanya Gosvami asked Ram Das Babaji to bring Amiya Nimai to Vrindavana, which he did. The Deity of Amiya Nimai came to Vrindavana in 1936.
At first Amiya Nimai was worshiped in a room next to the Rasa Mandapa. The Rasa Mandapa is the round platform in front of the main gate of the Radha Raman temple complex. After seven or eight years Amiya Nimai was moved to the Shahji (Sahaji) temple. After some time, Krishna Caitanya Gosvami decided that the Deity of Amiya Nimai should have His own temple and this present temple was completed in 1955.
Directions
This temple is on the main road of Gopinatha Bazaar. From the outside, on the street, you can easily see this beautiful Deity. The building that the temple is located in is a good-sized British Raj type building. It is close to the Govindaji Temple. If you just came out of the Govindaji Temple, make a left and walk to the end of the road. You then make a left and a quick right, onto Gopinath Bazaar Road. This temple is a couple of minutes walk away, on the left.
Temple Timings: Darshan is from 6:00 am to 12 noon and 4:00 to 8:00 pm.