Gopalpur:
Madhavendra Yeti of Chaitanya Sampradaya used to reside in the taleti of Shri Girirajji in Vraj. Vrajvasi called him by name ‘Jai Bawa’. Vrajvasi started settling near his house. This is how the village got its name “Jatipura”.
According to a second opinion, Shri Gusaiji’s second son, Shri Giridharji was famous by the name Yatiji. So because of this also it is believed that this village is called Jatipura.
First, this village was famous by the name “Gopalpur” as Shrinathji’s one of the names is “Gopal” because he loves cows. Here a big Gaushala was made for Shrinathji’s cows. Thus this village was called “Gopalpur”. In vaartas this place is popular as “Gopalpur” only. Jatipura name is not traced in vaartas. So it can be speculated that this place must have got the name Jatipura only after the era of Shri Gokulnathji & Shri Hariraiji.
Following places are a must see at Jatipura:
Shrinathji’s Temple:
In Jatipura between the place of Mukharvind & Dandvati Sheela, there is a temple of Shrinathji on Shri Giridharji. Receiving an ordainment from Shri Mahaprabhuji, one Kshatriya named Purnamall had built this temple at the cost of Rs. four lacs. There is a place to seat & Shaiyaa temple. There is a type of cave in the Shaiyya temple. It is told that one can reach upto Mewar from that cave. There was a Bethakji of Shri Mahaprabhuji too in this temple.
Shri Mahaprabhuji’s Bethak charitra of this temple:
When Shri Mahaprbahuji used to come to perform seva of Shrinathji in the temple, at that time after performing seva he used to sit on a nearby chotra & do Bhagwat Parayan. Once, it was late in making the samagri, at that time Shri Swaminiji came with a golden plate. Shri Mahaprabhuji told Damodardasji that today both the swaroops have taken pains (parishram) so from today do not offer Rajbhog immediately after Shringaar.
SunderSheela (Pujnisheela):
This Sheela is also known as Pujnisheela. Nearby there is a small Sheelakhand. That is Sundersheela with which Shri Krshna used to play.
Shri Mahaprabhuji’s Bethakji opposite Sundersheela:
There is Shri Mahaprabhuji’s Bethakji opposite the mukharvind of Shri Girirajji. When Shri Mahaprabhuji came here, he seated below a tree of Chokar. He had ordained his followers that we will celebrate the festivals of Diwali & Annakut here only. On the day of Annakut he offered bath of milk & Mansi Ganga’s water to Shri Girirajji & performed pooja & offered Bhog of Kunwara. He also offered 1.25 mans of rice’s annakut to Shrinathji. Then Shri Mahaprabhuji did Bhagwat Parayan here.
Once Shri Mahaprabhuji was resting in the lap of Shri Damodardasji. He had closed his eyes & was seeing the leela of Shri Thakorji. He did not know what was happening outside. At that time Shrinathji came there. Damodardasji heard the sound of nupur. Shri Damodardasji thought that Shri Mahaprabhujis sleep will be disturbed by hearing the sound of nupur so he signaled Shrinathji by his hand about the entire thing & requested not to come further. After some time Shri Mahaprabhuji woke up & saw Shrinathji standing at a distant place. He called him with affection, made him sit in his lap & asked as to why were he standing there. At that time, Shrinathji told him the whole story. On hearing this, Shri Mahaprabhuji became angry on Damodardasji but Shrinathji took the side of Damodardasji & told that he has done what a follower should do. Then he went away. Shri Mahaprabhuji then told Damodardasji that his feelings were good but you did Bhagwad apraadh so you you will get Bhagwad prapti after 10 births.
Shri Mahaprabhuji stayed here upto Prabodhini Ekadashi. Then he did parikrama of Shri Girirajji.
Shri Gusaiji’s Tulasi Kyara:
Besides Mukharvind there is Shri Gusaiji’s tulasi kyara made up of of black granite. It is made in the memory of Shri Gusaiji’s Nitya Leela, Shri Gusaiji himself along with Govindswami had entered Nitya Leela. For agnisanskaar (rites to be performed after death) he had given his uparna to Shri Giridharji.
Dandvati Sheela:
After going a bit ahead of Mukharvind comes Dandvati Sheela. It is believed that it was of 6 feet when Shrinathji came to Mewar. Saint Pulatasya had given shaap (bad wish) to Shri Girirajji that he will become a little small everyday & one day completely drown in the earth as he had settled in vraj despite of his wish to stay in Kashi.
Today Dandvati Sheela is already in the earth & now that land is dug to have its darshan.
Shri Mahaprabhuji’s Tulasi Kyaro:
Near Dandvati Sheela there is a tulasi kyaro of Shri Mahaprabhuji. It is the bhavatmak dwar (entrance) of Shri Mahaprabhuji’s Neekunj
Krshnadas, son of Shri Kumbhandasji who was a follower of Shri Mahaprabhuji was killed by a lion while he was trying to protect Shrinathji’s cow. After that Shrinathji himself came to take milk from that cow. At that time Kumbhandasji got a divine darshan of Shri Krshnadasji holding a calf. After doing darshan Shri Kumbhandasji came near Dandvati Sheela. Here he got the news that Krshnadasji is killed by a lion. At that time, he thought that now he will have to be in Sutak for 15 days away from Shrinathji. Due to this saga of separation he fainted there. Shri Gusaiji came to know about this. He came there. He told Shri Kumbhandasji not to regret & ordained him to come the next morning & promised him to show the darshan of Shrinathji. The next morning, after Shringaar he gave him the darshan of Shrinathji. This way he got the darshan every morning. After doing darshan, he used to go to the Chandrasarovar near parsoli & used to sing padas of separation.
Shri Mathureshji’s temple:
There used to be a temple of Shri Mathureshji opposite Dandvati Sheela. It was famous by the name “GiridharNiwas”. Shri Mathureshji used to reside there. He now resides in Kota. There is Gusaiji’s Bethakji in this temple. When Shri Gusaiji used to come to perform seva of Shrinathji in the afternoon he used to come here & do Bhagwat parayan.
Bethak of Shri Giridharji:
Near Shri Gusaiji’s bethak there is a bethak of Shri Giridharji. He had done Bhagwat Parayan there. Shrinathji had ordained Shri Giridharji to make all the seven swaroops of his seven brothers sit together with him & do annakut. At that time Shri Giridharji told that he cannot do that without the permission of Shri Gusaiji. So he went & asked permission from him. Shri Gusaiji remained mum. Then Shrinathji & Shri Giridharji asked this question thrice to him. In the end, Shri Gusaiji thought that it must be the wish of God & gave permission but he also warned Shri Giridharji that worldly things will increase due to this & feelings for the swaroop (form) will decrease.
Shri Gokulnathji’s Mandir:
There is a big door in front of Dandvati Sheela. Besides that there is temple of Shri Gokulnathji. Every year when Shri Gokulnathji come for Shri Goverdhan pooja from Gokul, he resides here. Shri Gokulnathji being the form of the leela of lifting Goverdhan mountain, his right is first for doing Goverdhan pooja.
Shri Madanmohanji’s temple:
It is in the backyard of Shri Mahaprabhuji’s bethakji. It is also famous as Shri Matuji Maharaj’s temple.
Shri Goverdhannathji’s temple:
Nearby there is a temple of Shri Goverdhannathji.
Shri Chandramaji’s temple:
Nearby there also is a temple of Shri Goverdhannathji.
Shri Girirajbaug:
While returning from Giriraj Parikrama, in the back side of Jatipura, there is Girirajbaug. It has beautiful architecture, which is worth seeing.
Rudrakund:
It is situated near Giriraj Baug. When Shri Thakorji disappeared from Rasa Leela, at that time, Shri Gopijans tried to find him. They also sung Gopi Geet but could not find him. So they cried (rudan) over here. That is the reason why it is called Rudrakund which is made up from their tears.
Shri Girirajji’s Parikrama:
All the pilgrims coming to Vraj do Giriraj Parikrama as per capacity. Most of the vaishnavas do it walking. Many of them also do Dandvati Parikrama.
After doing dandvat to Shri Girirajji, Shri Mahaprabhuji, seeking their permission begins the parikrama. A parikrama road is also built to do parikrama. Mostly pilgrims do the parikrama barefooted only.
In the parikrama the jaan-ajaan tree comes first. New trees are planted there as the old ones have dried up. When Shri Thakorji disappeared from Rasa, the Gopijanas asked these two trees whether they had seen him. One of them said yes, which is called jaan & the other said no which is called ajaan. Many pilgrims do parikrama of these trees too.
Bilchu Kund
Nearby in the front on the left hand side there is Bilchu Kund. Here Shri Radhaji used to play water sports with her friends. Here Shri Thakorji also took the form of her friend & started playing water sports with her. Vichiya of Shri Radhajis leg got lost in the water. At that time, Shri Thakorji asked a to what would she give if he found that vichiya from water. Shri Radhaji said anything that he wants. Shri Thakorji dipped in the water & found many vichis. Shri Radhaji then realized that he is Thakorji. Then he asked her to spend a night there with him. Nearby on one hill there is Bilchu Bihariji’s temple & Shri Swaminiji’s Bethakji.
Shyam Dhak:
Shyamdhak is three miles away from Jatipura & two miles away from Puchri. Here there is a jungle of Khakra trees. In Vraj language Khakras trees are called Shyamdhak. That is why this place is called Shyamdhak. Here there is a Bethakji of Shrinathji & two kunds named Shyamtalai & Gopalsagar. Shrinathji likes this place very much. That is why he used to come to play with his friends here.
Gulalkund:
Two miles in the west from Jatipura, on the way to Gatholi comes Gulalkund. Architecture is very beautiful. Water also seems to be a bit pink.
Gatholi Village:
Gatholi village is near to Gulalkund. It is said that Gopijanas had tied the knots between Shri Thakorji & Swaminiji & played the game of Marriage. That is why this village is called Gatholi.
When Shri Thakorji lifted Girirajji, at that time, to avoid accumulation of water in the bottom part of Shri Girirajji, Shri Baldevji took the form of Shesh & entangled himself with Shri Girirajji. That is another reason for this place to be called Gatholi.
There is one third reason also for this place to be called Gatholi. Here Shri Thakorji had come with Vrajvasis to play Holi. At that time, vrajvasis tied the knot between Shri Nandbaba & his in-law Shri Kirtiji & also tied a knot between Shri Jasodaji & her in law Shri Vrushbhanji. Then with the knots on, all started dancing with joy. None of them knew that such a knot was tied amongst themselves. Such leela took place here. That is why this place is called Gatholi.
Tod’s Ghano:
There was a thorny jungle here. A saint named Chaturanaga used to stay here. The army of Mlech attacked Shri Girirajji. At that time Shrinathji sat on a buffalo & came here. Chaturanaga wanted to see Shrinathji. But since Shri Girirajji is a form of Shrinathji Himself, he did not want to step on Girirajji & go for darshan. The path was very difficult. It was full of stones, thorns. There was a circular chowk in the inner side of the jungle. Nearby, there was Ramkund. There was one chotra in chowk where he seated Shrinathji. In the evening they got the NEWS that the Muslim invaders went away from Mathura & did not go to Vraj. Even today there is a bethakji of Shrinathji here. The place is very beautiful & worth seeing