Thiruvaipadi (Gokula)

The Navamohana Krishna Temple, also referred to in Sri Vaishnava tradition as Tiruvaipadi, is one of the Divya Desams, the 108 temples of Vishnu revered by the 12 poet-saints called the Alvars.

It is located in modern day Gokul, in the Mathura district of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is located 15 km south-east of Mathura. It is regarded to be the site of Krishna’s childhood past-times.

The place is revered by Andal, the only female Alvar. It is also closely associated with the ancient Nappinai cult of Tamil Nadu.

Legend

According to Hindu tradition, Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu, spent his childhood days in Gokulam. He danced over the subdued Kaliya on the banks of the river Yamuna. This divine act was witnessed by the people of Gokulam, Krishna’s foster-father Nanda, and his brother Balarama. A chapter in Aichar Kuruvai describes the event. The association of Nappinnai, the beloved shepherd girl with Krishna is unique to Tamil tradition, like the huntress Valli with Murugan. According to some scholars, the Radha cult of the later period was close to the ancient Nappinai cult of Tamil Nadu.