Shri Dauji Maharaj Temple Baldeo,Gokul
About 18 kilometres from Mathura is one of the most revered temples of the country, the Dauji Mandir. The temple has stood for over 5000 years since 1535 AD and is one of the oldest temples in the city. The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Balarama, who was the elder sibling of Lord Krishna.
Devotees and pilgrims from all over the country gather at the temple to offer prayers in the holy abode of Baladev manifestation of the Lord Vishnu. The idol of Lord Baladev is considered as the hugest of Braja Mandal, black in colour and having two hands. The deity is about 7 feet tall. While the left-hand holds a royal cup with Varuni (the holy drink) in it, the right hand is elevated and can be discovered by the devotees when they offer prayers. Equipped with exquisite dress and embellishments, the idol radiates magnificence.
Shri Dauji Maharaj Temple is very famous as Every year the Holi festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm which is called Huranga Holi.
It is said that Mughal emperor Aurangzeb tried to destroy Dau ji temple and deities here like he did to other hindu temples in and around the Northern part india, due to which the deity of Dauji was kept hidden from him for longer period of time. Later the deity was found from Ksheersagar Kund located near the temple. And thereafter he was reinstalled here by Sri Gokul nath Goswami, the grandson of Srimad Vallabhacharya ji ( founder of Vallabhacharya sampradaya- one of four Vaishnav sampradyas in India) around 480 years ago.