About Us


A holy place closely connected and blessed with lord Krishna. A Village called Girvi is located at 12 kilometres towards South from Phaltan. Girvi was included in the Phaltan state Shri Naik Nimbalkar, the then ruler of the state, provided funds regularly for keeping the light burning (Nanda-deep) continuously before the shrine. The temple of Lord Gopal Krishna is located at the southern end of the village and is owned and maintained privately by Shri Deshpande. The external appearance of the temples shows that it has been constructed during the regime of Adilshah of Bijapur, as the tall galleried walls built around with the help of stones and lime and the corridors as well clearly reflect the impression of the contemporary engineering. The peak of the temple is constructed of bricks and lime, at least built six centuries ago. The arches and the entire construction of the upper part of the corners of the wall belong to the Bijapur style; moreover, the surrounding earthen chain attracts the attention. Shri Baburao Gopal Deshpande alias Baburao Maharaj built the original temple having a novel structure. An assembly hall is annexed to the temple with vast expertise and devotion.

Shri Baburao Maharaj used to accompany Shri Rao Rambhaji, a noble deployed with Adil Shah of Bijapur, when on a recovery tour within the surrounding villages. Shri Baburao Maharaj being a loyal and sincere devotee of the Lord Gopalkrishna, always took with him, a silver Shrine of Murlidhar and worshipped the same piously. He once considered in building a temple of the Lord Gopalkrishna at his village, Girvi and installing a Shrine carved in black basalt (Shaligram). However, he became quite impatient as the desired stone was not available anywhere, despite the hunt for years together. He still pursued his prayer to Lord Krishna. 

On the third day of the bhajan, a call was herd, which followed for further few days. Baburao initiated an excavation by labours on the site, which in turn resulted in addressing a complaint straight to Adil Shah by some miscreants, who always are engaged in complaining against noble work. An officer visited the spot immediately and terminated the excavation. Baburao then rushed to Bijapur and applied to the king to seek royal permission for only to get a black stone (Shaligram) for Shrine. His intention of the excavation was not any wealth hunt.

As the king granted an instant consent to the excavation, the officer, also who had served a stay order for the excavation, extended the necessary assistance to Baburao. A black stone was viewed after digging for about 40 meters deep into the land. The huge stone was unearthed by digging sufficiently around and an application was submitted to king stating that the excavation has been terminated after the stone was available and kind permission may please be given to transport the same to his village (Girvi). The stone was brought to Girvi. Baburao inspected the stone to find out whether there is any shrine carved on it however such a mark was not observed, except a few lines pertaining to "Vishnu Marks". The stone was taken to Girvi. At this juncture, he wanted stonemason (Murtikar) who could carve a Shrine, out of the stone. He tried his best to search the stonemason who could carve out the shrine as per his specifications, and that too without lifting the stone bifurcated. 

Noticing Baburao's straitened face the armless person assured him, though it is quite natural that you might doubt that how a pair of a blind and armless persons would be able to craft a Shrine, do not get worried, we won't abandon the job incomplete, but one's sight and other's hands would work together. Baburao then elaborated them his specifications, showing them the stone. "Lord Krishna is standing on shiv playing the flute to which a couple of cows are listening with their attentive ears, and the Shrine should be one piece".

The sculptors put two conditions, first that they would try their best to carve a Shrine within the stipulated time limit, which also required exclusive area, where they would cook food for themselves and second they aren't disturbed by anybody till the completion of work.

Baburao provided the sculptors with independent accommodation, fuel and the essential commodities for cooking. The Shrine was craved out overnight! (in one single night). Baburao was invited to see the idol very next morning. Upon looking at the idol, he was very much delighted as all his expectations were fulfilled. He was pleased to see the same form (replica) of the Shrine that he worshipped daily, for years together, in his manas puja. He stared at the Shrine for a long time. He reliased that surely, his Gopalkrishna alone would have deputed the sculptors for this work. This joint-less Shrine is about 4 feet high. The shrine is carved out where Lord Krishna is standing on one leg, while the other leg is touched only on its thumb: which indicates the sculptor's marvellous skill. The face of this picturesque shrine is pleasant and charming. The eyes are large. There are all ornaments worn on the neck, hand and waist in the carved stone which resembles Lord Krishna's description in Sheemat Bhagwat. The fingers of both the hands appear in such a way that they are playing the flute live. The style of the ornaments belonged to that of Gokul-Brindavan. The lines on the palms are visible clearly. The facial impression of both the cows reveals that they are fully listening with utmost concentration to the flute recital becoming one with it. Four small human sketches are also visible on the ornamental strip out, of which, two belong to Jay and Vijay (door guard of Shree Vishnu), and the other two of them are believed to be sculptors. An additional speciality of this shrine is the rare display of the oneness of Hari (Vishnu) and Har (Shiva). Moreover, unlike in other temples, Shree Garuda and Hanumant are seen, standing in front of Lord Rama or Lord Krishna, this is the only place where Lord Shiv and Nandi are also installed in the temple in front, due to the union of Hari and Har. Late Shri Ramkrishna Bua Kande, a senior ascetic and an excellent narrator of great mythological deeds of the god, has composed a glorious devotional music composition on the theme of this temple and presented in some cities. 

This temple is called as the Brindavan of South India. As per the firm belief of Late Kande Bua, Acharya Priya Sharanji Maharaj, the best disciple of the spiritual guru of the world Shri Kripaluji Maharaj and several other Bhaktas of Lord Krishna.  After the first Darshan of the shrine, Baburao decided to honour the sculptors by offering them dress and also honorarium. However, they replied that it is the blessings of the Lord Gopalkrishna that shrine was up to his expectation and satisfaction. Artisans left for taking a bath in a well, located behind the temple, and promised to come back for food. Baburao became impatient and restless as artisans did not turn up for a long time. He sent messengers to look out for the artsisans, but efforts went in vain. He concluded that the artisans were not the ordinary ones, but the Lord Vitthal and Gopal themselves would have done this great job in the disguise of the artisans.

The construction of the temple began, and a small basement was provided beneath the temple. The full moon day of Vaishakh was determined for pran-prathistha (rite of instilling life) as it pertained to some notable events in the predecessors. As Baburao obtained signs that the purpose of his life was fulfilled with a grand function. He got himself into deep intense contemplation Nirvana (Samadhi) and precisely on the upper side of samadhi the Shrine of Gopalkrishna is located. While constructing the temple itself, the provision for basement was made for samadhi of Shri Baburao Maharaj. The second samadhi is located in front of Ganpati temple is situated to the left of the Gopalkrishna temple. The third samadhi is situated which pertains to the grandson of Baburao is located next to idols of Nandi, Hanuman, Garuda and the Lord Shiva. The fourth Samadhi of the great grandson of Baburao is situated on the right side of Hanumata. Thus this is a very rare place having a background of the tombs of the Saints who have achieved the top most position of the devotion during the consecutive 4 generations.  A spritual leading scientist Dr. R. N. Shukla of Pune, having a profound study in metaphysics and science has registered his observation during his recent survey conducted in February 2012 that this temple is a rare centre of the positive and global energy and has aura and vibrations clearly established that this temple is a vrundavan in South India.

The function of Baisakhi is considered a significant one which is celebrated in a lively atmosphere and magnificence from the Narasimha Jayanti (i.e. the 14 day of the white fortnight of Vaishakh). During the four days of this celebration, the idol-installation day is observed followed on Vaishakhi pornima. Followed by the Samadhi day of Baburao Maharaj on the 1st day of the black fortnight of Vaishakh. A Parikrama (circumambulation) is performed around the temple after Pooja and mahaprasad.

A procession is taken out of an image of Lord Krishna and his wooden slippers. (Palkhi). A series of "Arti" are performed at the Ganesh Mandir, main gate, at the well and finally in the Satwai temple. On the 3rd day of the celebration (i.e. the 1st day of the black fortnight) which also Samadhi day of Baburao Maharaj, a ceremonial puja is performed on his Samadhi.  Kirtan commences at 4 pm. There are various games played similar to childish pranks of Krishna. Games are played with the help of a ball, sticks, are also included. Dahi-handi is also performed, and "Kaala prasad" is distributed. Bhajan-Kirtan kirtan seva is also being performed. 

On the final day of the function, the celebrations come to an end with prasad. A festive ceremony of the thorough reading of the Dnaneshwari (7 days parayan) is performed during the period of the Janmashtami Festival, in the month of Shravan for the last 30 years, wherein many people participate. Traditional prasad is distributed, after the Janmashtami celebration. An arti is performed everyday early morning, during the entire month of Kartik. Many people attend the ritual. As Diwali festival falls during Kartik month, various types of sweets are offered to God and later distributed to the devotees.

A trust of the temple has been registered in accordance with the government rules, and the transactions audited regularly. A body of trustees comprised of Late Rajaram Vinayak Deshpande, Shri Ramesh Kamlakar Deshpande and Shri Amrit Deshpande was in existence during the pre-rejuvenation period of the temple. The trust was running into losses with very with inadequate
income and as a result no maintenance and repairs. However, the settlement of the daily expenditure on the worship and allied expenses meagre income was a difficult task, however every generation continued to conduct annual festivals.

An immediate organisational and the functional change over was essential along with the rejuvenation of the temple. At the same time, it was in a critical and neglected condition which by favour of the Lord Gopalkrishna could be brought up to a favourable one after the accelerated action taken by the Deshpande couple (Mr Jayant & Mrs Sunita Deshpande). A fresh managing body of the temple came into existence which comprised of the Deshpande couple, Shri Mukund Joshi with Shri Raghunath Deshpande as the General Secretary and Shri Nikhil Deshpande as the assistant Secretary, the inceptor of the new website of the temple in November 2011. The then assistant charity commissioner. Shri Deodhar visited the temple in July 2006, followed by a visit of his successor in 2009 by Shri Tijare who expressed their satisfaction over the present management and rejuvenation of the temple.

The meagre income of the temple was a hurdle in maintenance and repairs of the temple. Besides the external walls and interiors had become crumbly due to their time-barred construction, which rendered it impossible to dwell and perform any function/activity. Hence urgent rejuvenation was a must. A thought in this regard was lingering for years together in the mind of Shri Jayant Deshpande the grandson of Shri Vinayak Mahadeo alias Bhau, because he was inclined, right from his childhood towards the metaphysics and the Lord Gopalkrishna. Late Shri Vinayakrao firmly believed that Shri Jayant Deshpande can get this job done when the proper time would turn over. However, since the function of rejuvenation was a huge one which was possible only by the favour of God. Shri Jayant performed several rituals and prayers for years together and obtained the blessing of many saints. A special prayer of the great preceptor of Indore Shri Nana Maharaj Taranekar and the uttermost honourable Shri Datta Maharaj Kavishwar of Pune was performed. Accordingly, the temple was repaired and redeveloped. The essential facilities such as the proper provision of water, electricity, kitchen, bathroom, etc. were also made available. The pinnacle (Shikhar) which was earlier crumbled was rebuilt according to the opinion of experts.A new main gate entrance of the temple was installed in Mid 2006. A Shikhar was established on the 30th July 2006 on an auspicious day with full Vedic mantras. A procession of the Kalas was taken out in the village. An aarti followed this by 51 women. The Kalas was installed by a leading spiritual personality from Andhra Pradesh Shri. Dinkar Swamy. This historical program was concluded with the release of a book on Gopalkrishna Girvi temple followed by Mahaprasad. 

Some of the devotees assembled from the remote parts of Maharashtra and various parts of the country. They expressed that they could see the Lord Garud, the vehicle of Lord Vishnu during the installation of Kalash. The temples of Garud-Hanumant, Shankar-Nandi and also Ganesha were rejuvenated subsequently in 2008. Shri Jayant Deshpande and his family members have their full implicit faith that Gopalkrishna alone is their deity of the family. Recently an effort of increasing religious anushtans is being made in the form of 

  1. Abhishek on all Ekadashi across the year
  2. Gita and Vishnusahatranam Pathan at frequent intervals
  3. Bhagwat Saptah on 9 occasions.
  4. Pawan and Maharudra anushtans.

After a lapse of many years, a "Shreemad Bhagwat Saptah" was conducted on eight occasions along with yajnas in the year 

  1. 2005 by Hari Om Swami
  2. 2006 by Dr R.L Joshi
  3. 2007 by Anant Shastri Parkhi
  4. 2008 by Narayan Shastri Godbole
  5. 2009 by Anant Shastri Parkhi
  6. 2010 by Vishnu Shastri Asolekar
  7. 2011 by Mukund Kaka Jatdeolekar
  8. 2013 by Padmakar Kundikar Shastri. 

All the above Bhagwat Katha anusthan and various yajnas created positive energy and also resulted in a partial development in the quantity of rainfall in this area.

The conduction of the Shreemad Bhagwat Saptahas evoked fine response, and the participants believe that they obtained great satisfaction. The villagers, especially old generation people recollect that no such events/activities in this scale were held for over 75 years. A rhythmic creation of Arti of Shri Baburao Maharaj by the divine convention has been composed and sung the same daily. The schemes of perpetual worship (abhishesk) and Nanda Deep were incepted on the demand of the devotees.  Shree Jayant Deshpande and his family conducted the entire renovation work. As temple had no funds and also no donations were received from anyone. Since the renovation work could not wait any further, the same was completed with their own resources. Master Nikhil and Kum. Charuta, the representatives of the young generation deserve a special mention for their financial and laborious co-operation cum contribution in the rejuvenation and following functions and schemes.

Similarly, Late Smt. Radhabai Deshpande, a senior citizen, contributed some amount through her pension. Shri Jay Prakash Kapre and his wife also provided some financial contribution in the final stage of the rejuvenation.

The second significant stage was the completion of the dream of Shri Jayant, and his wife was the construction of a memorial of the sculptors just near to the well from were the murtikars/artsians disappeared. This came into reality on 27-5-2010 when many Senior Saints and also the devotees were present. It was achieved with co-operation of Shri Udaysingh Kadam and his family. 

The significance of the temple and its unique history is spreading to a larger area day by day, due to which a large number of devotees from various states are visiting for darshan of Lord Krishna. 

The spiritual preceptor Shri Veerjanand Nrisingh Saraswati an extremely respectable personality from Mysore visited the temple along with his disciples in October 2010 and published his book captioned " CALL OF GIRVI GOPAL KRISHNA" in south India subsequently.

Jagatguru Shri Shankaracharya (Karveer establishment) also visited the temple, and he was highly influenced by the Shrine and the delightful atmosphere of the temple. He expressed the desire of his stay during the period of 4 months (i.e. from the 11th day of the 1st fortnight of Ashadh to the 11th day of the 1st fortnight of Kartik). 

Mata Amritmayee, a swamini from the Himalayas, visited the temple and blessed along with her guidance to the devotees. Ascetics from various parts of the country visit the temple due to the far and vide contacts in the metaphysical field spreaded by Shri Jayant Deshpande.

Swami Govind dev giri-ji (Kishore Ji Vyas, internationally known spiritual personality) visited in march 2016 and expressed that for the first time he had such unique and Divya darshan of Lord Krishna.

In the year 2010, 2011, 2012 Ved-Swahakar was conducted by Shri Vivekshastri Godbole of Satara, accompanied by his disciples. Similarly, since 2010 Geeta and "The Vishnu Sahastra Nam" pathan is being done every year on various occasions in a year. Various groups from Pune, Kolhapur, Mumbai, Phaltan are visiting the temple to offer the service of pathanas. 

After observing a series of Vedic anusthnas and development work in a short time the temple as awarded "Adarsh (Ideal) Adhatmic Sanstha" in the year 2011 in a grand function which was held in Nashik at the hand of Swami Swarupanand ji.

To provide information about the temple across the globe, a website entitled " www.gopalkrishnagirvi.org" was launched at the hands of the hugely respected Achyutanand Saraswati during a function organised in the temple on the 24th November 2011, for the convenience of the devotees.

Shri Dilip Apte of Miraj senior personality of The Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta and The Bhagwat Visited this temple along with his disciples for the religious meditation and conducted the Gaytri Yajana in July 2012

It is appealed to the sadhakas that they may participate in the various projects and schemes of the temple for their spiritual progress. Keeping national and social vision in mind, the various Yajanas and anuthanas the Sankalp is made to prey for national welfare, promotion of Vedic heritage and Geeta Sandesh.

Dr G B Deglulkar a prominent personality in the field of "Murti Shastra" (Sculpture) visited the temple in the year October 2013, and he was highly impressed to have darshan of Lord Krishna in Girvi. He opined that this was a very unique murti.

Dr R.N. Shukla, an eminent spiritual scientist, visited in the year 2013 and expressed that epicentre of global energy and the aura and vibrations of the temple are very powerful. Dr. Shukla subsequently visited thrice and has appealed and expressed to sadhakas that this temple is "Vrundavan of South India" and for their won progress they should take darshan of Girvi Gopal Krishna.

Releasing the importance and uniqueness of this temple, Divya Som Trust, had performed the world's first Soma Abhishek in August 2017 wherein many renowned vedic and ayurveda-acharya pandits were present.