Place · Balarama temple · India
Dauji / Baladeva
The 500-year-old Dauji temple at Baldeo near Mathura, dedicated to Balarama (Krishna's elder brother), one of the four great Braj temples attributed to Krishna's great-grandson Vajranabh. The current structure was rebuilt by Shyama Das in 1535 after Mughal destruction, with later additions by Raja Veni Madhav of Hathras in 1750. The deity is a four-foot black-stone image of Balarama with his plough and mace, worshipped as Dauji — the elder brother. The Dauji Huranga festival at Holi involves women drenching men with coloured water, inverting the Lathmar Holi pattern of nearby Barsana.
- Periods
- Classical and Puranic Age, Regional Flourishing, Islamic Age and Bhakti Traditions, Early Modern Age, British Colonial Age, Republic and Living Practice
- Function
- Sacred site & pilgrimage
- Tradition
- Skanda Purāna/Braj tradition
- Confidence
- Established / referenced
- Location
- 27.411, 77.820
On these journeys
Sources
Wikipedia, “Baldeo”. Archaeological Survey of India and State Archaeology monument records, and the standard regional literature.
Open Dauji / Baladeva in the repository →