A look at the temple founded by
Rasikananda Prabhu nearly four hundred years ago.
GOPIBALLABHPUR is situated in the southwest corner of the Medinipur district in southwest West Bengal, near Orissa and Bihar. Nearly four hundred years after Rasikananda Prabhu started the Krsna temple at Gopiballabhpur, the temple is still being managed by his descendants. Known as the Dev Goswamis, they continue to initiate disciples into the line of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. They also oversee several other temples, including the Ksira-cora Gopinatha temple in Remuna and Syamasundara temple in Vrndavana, started by Syamananda Prabhu, Rasikananda's spiritual master.
The family keeps up the Vaisnava traditions of their ancestors. They perform kirtana, decorate themselves with the clay tilaka markings of the Syamananda line, oversee the Deity worship and festivals, and like to talk about Caitanya Mahaprabhu. They know Caitanya's philosophy and pastimes as given in Sri Caitanya-caritamrta and Sri Caitanya Bhagavata. And they know and love the songs of the great devotees in Lord Caitanya's line. Though the Gopiballabhpur temple is small compared to many of India's opulent and well-known temples, it is an attractive place, under the care of a family that upholds the spirit of Caitanya Vaisnavism.
Bhakti Vikasa Swami comes from England, but has lived in India for many years. He now teaches Krsna consciousness at the ISKCON center in Baroda, Gujarat.