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Doka Dauji (Balarama Stali)


This small temple is on top of Govardhana Hill. The black Deity of Balarama in this temple is in a crouching position. Dauji is a name for Balarama meaning the “older brother.” Doka is a corruption of the word dekha, which means to see. This temple can be seen from both side of the hill, which is very thin at this place.

The story of this Deity is that there was once a rasa-lila dance being done near Govardhana Hill at Chandra Sarovara. Balarama, who was on top of Govardhana Hill in a crouching position, became so absorbed in watching the rasa dance that he took on a blackish color like Krishna. Because Balarama was attentively looking at Krishna, therefore the Deity is known as Doka Dauji.

At the foot of Govardhana, on the left of the small path that leads to the Balarama temple is the impression of Balarama’s crown called Balarama Mukut-shila. It is on a rock, about 10m (30 ft) from the parikrama path.

Gaudiya Vaishnava do not go onto the hill to visit this temple, because Lord Caitanya said not to walk on Govardhana.

How To Get Here After leaving Govinda Kunda, if you walk on the dirt path, which is right next to the hill for about five minutes, you will see this temple on top of the hill. This temple is about one km north of Punchari Kund.

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