Syama-raya
A Comprehensive Guide to Śrī Vṛndāvana Dhāma
The temple of Syama-Raya, the worshipable Deities of Gauridasa Pandit, is just off the road leading to the Yamuna River from Gopinatha Bazaar. It is on the same side of the road as the samadhi of Srinivasa Acarya. Gauridasa Pandit's samadhi is within the temple compound. Before Lord Caitanya took sannyasa, He traveled with Prabhu Nityananda, visiting Gauridasa Pandit in Ambika Kalna. Gauridasa begged the Lord to stay on for a longer period of time. Caitanya Mahaprabhu made life-like neem wood Deities of Gaura-Nitai for Gauridasa Pandit to worship. Gauridasa continued to worship these Deities into the final years of his life. These Deities are still being worshiped in Ambika Kalna, West Bengal. Gauirdasa Pandit left his body in Dhira Samira Kunja in Vrindavana. In Krishna's eternal pastimes, Gauridasa Pandit is Subala, a cowherd boyfriend of Krishna.
Samadhi of Gauridasa Pandit
Entombed here is the sacred body of Gauridasa Pandita, a direct disciple of Lord Nityananda and close associate of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. At this place, near Dhira Samira Ghata, Gauridasa performed his bhajan and also established the temple of Radha Syama-raya. Gauridasa lived in Ambika-Kalna, not far from Shantipura. His elder brother had two daughters, Vashudha and Jahnava, who were both married to Lord Nityananda. When Lord Caitanya was going to take sannyasa, he visited Gauridasa to say good-bye. Gauridasa was so overcome with feelings of separation, that he fell weeping at the feet of Mahaprabhu and Lord Nityananda, begging Them to never leave his house. See ing the great anxiety of Gauridasa, Caitanya Mahaprabhu told him, "We two brothers will always stay here in your home." Consoling him with these words, the two brothers, Caitanya and Nityananda, manifested themselves in the form of two perfect Deities: exact replicas of Gaura-Nityananda. Gauridasa was stunned, as the Lord informed him, "These two will stay in your home forever and you will internally realize We are always here and We will accept all the offerings you cook." Hearing this, Gauridasa immediately began to cook a wonderful offering. After enjoying the wonderful meal, Sri Caitanya and Nityananda left, leaving behind the two Deities of Themselves which Gauridasa continued to serve with great devotion. Once, when a big festival celebrating Gaura-Purnima was being held nearby, these same Gaura-Nitai Deities jumped down from the altar and joined the kirtan, dancing wildly in ecstasy. Gauridasa had to chase after Them. When Gaura-Nitai saw him coming in an angry mood, carrying a big stick, They auddenly disappeared into the heart of Gauridasa's disciple, Caitanya dasa. On seeing this, Gauridasa immediately embraced his disciple and from that time on his disciple became known as Hrdaya Caitanya dasa, because Caitanya and Nityananda hid inside his heart (hrdaya). Hrdaya Caitanya later became the guru of Syamananda Pandita.
Gauridasa Pandita was an incarnation of the cowherd boy Subala, one of the twelve most prominent cowherd boyfriends of Lord Krishna in the spiritual world.
Directions
After leaving Srinivasa Acarya's samadhi, go to the left and walk 75m (220 feet). On the left there is a road that bends to the left, up a slight incline. You will see a yellow sign with Hindi writing. Follow this path until you come to the temple. From the outside, this building does not appear to look like a temple.
Temple Timings: Summer: Mangala arati-4:00am. Darshan: 6:00am to 12 noon and 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Winter: Mangala arati-5:00am; Darshan: 6:00am to 12 noon and 4:00 to 8:00pm.