Radhavallabh Temple

Chief shrine of RadhaVallabh sect, old RadhaVallabh Temple at Vrindavan, though now abandoned but protected monument is in itself a handsome building and its spatial architectural interest is the last example of the early Eclectic style. It was constructed by Sundardas Bhatnagar, a disciple of Shri Vanchandraji, son of Hit Harivansh Mahaprabhu, founder of the RadhaVallabh sect. Wilson noted an inscription over the gateway of this temple, now no longer extant, that it was in 1585, when this temple was constructed. Abdul Rahim Khankhana, the Dewan at Akbar’s court, in whose employment Sundardas Bhatnagar of Deoband was, not only got Royal permission to use red sandstone for temple construction, which was till then used only for construction of imperial buildings, royal palaces and forts, but also monetary grant for this temple from Akbar. Descendants of Sunderdas Bhatnagar at Deoband still have these documents with them. It is said that Raja Mansingh first decided to contract this temple. But on hearing a legend that whosoever will construct this temple will die within a year, he backed out. Actually Sundardas died within a year, after he with his personal treasure as well as help from Abdul Rahim Khankhana and Akbar constructed it.