Over seventy years ago, Srimati Shanti Bala Devi of Chatauna village in Samastipur, Bihar, lost her newborn son. In the middle of that grief, her Guru came to her home.
Vaikunth Lok Nivasi Shri 1008 Ramanujacharya Ji Maharaj, a Bal Brahmachari Vaishnava saint of the Shri Sampraday, placed a deity of Laddu Gopal Ji in her *aanchal* and gave her a simple, life-changing instruction: raise Him as her own child.
She did exactly that. She bathed Him, offered Him milk and food, sang lori lullabies in the morning and at night, and carried Him wherever she went. She did not worship Him from a distance. She cared for Him as a mother cares for her child.
Laddu Gopal arrives
One act of grace transformed Shanti Bala Devi's grief into a lifelong relationship of seva.
Banaras Ke Gopal Bhaiya
Her two daughters and three sons accepted Him as the eldest brother. The family began calling Him Banaras Ke Gopal Bhaiya.
A divine wedding
Banaras Ke Gopal Bhaiya Ji was ceremonially married in Varanasi to Rukmini Maharani Ji, representing Radha Rani. Kanyadaan was performed by another Vaishnava disciple.
A home in Kashi
With the family's devotion and Guru Maharaj's blessing, the temple was established in Daulatpur, Pandeypur, Varanasi.
The relationship continues
Today, daily seva continues under Shri Krishna Bhavna Bhavitam Trust. The temple remains a home where devotion is felt through darshan, aarti, prasad, festivals, and service.
Enter darshan↗