The Sacred Birthplace of Shri Hit Harivansh Mahaprabhu
मथुरा मंडल भूमि आपनी। जहाँ ‘बाद’ प्रगटे जग धनी।
भनी अवनि वर आप मुख ॥
शुभ वासर शुभ ऋक्ष विचारि। माधव मास ग्यास उजियार।
नारिनु मंगल गाइयौ ॥
तच्छिन देव-दुन्दुभी बाजिये। जै-जै शब्द सुरन मिलि किये।
हिये सिराने सबनि के ॥
तारा जननि जनक ऋषि व्यास। जस बरनौं हरिवंश विलास।
श्रीहरिवंशहि गाइ हौं॥६॥
Mathura Mandal Bhumi Aapni. Jahan ‘Baad’ Pragatte Jag Dhani.
Bhanee Avani Var Aap Mukh ॥
Shubh Vasar Shubh Riksh Vichari. Madhav Maas Gyaas Ujiyaar.
Naarinu Mangal Gaaiyau ॥
Tacchin Dev-Dundubhi Baajiye. Jai-Jai Shabd Suran Mili Kiye.
Hiye Siraane Sabni Ke ॥
Taara Janani Janak Rishi Vyaas. Jas Barnaun Harivansh Vilaas.
Shriharivanshahi Gai Haun ॥6॥
Only 12 kilometres from Mathura, in the sacred embrace of Braj, lies the humble village of Badh, carrying within its heart the timeless essence of devotion and tradition.
For the followers of the Shri Radhavallabh Sampradaya, Badh Gram is not merely a geographical place on the map, but a divine land where Love itself is believed to have taken a living form (Shri Hit Mahaprabhu Ji / Shri Hit Sajni Ji was born here in Badh village).
It is believed that this village got its name from the Sanskrit word “Vadya” (musical instrument), which, over the passage of time and the natural evolution of language, took the present form — Badh, a name that continues to echo the village’s enduring heritage.
The Tribhuvan Mohini Vanshi, none other than the divine flute of Krishna, took birth on the blessed land of this very village. It is this timeless connection with Krishna’s divine music that fills the place with a profound sense of devotion and spiritual grace.
Between Gokul and Rawal
Badh village lies between Gokul, the sacred land of Shri Krishna’s early childhood leelas, and Rawal, which is the birthplace of (our Pyari Ju) Shri Radha Rani.
As the divine flute (Shri Vanshi Ji) is a holy bond (a medium) through which Shri Yugal Sarkar (the eternal lovers) are connected to each other (meet each other), in the same way, Badh village too stands between these two sacred villages, carrying a profound message that the nectar of love itself, which unites Shri Priya and Lal Ju, has taken the form of Shri Hit and blessed this land with his divine presence.
गोकुल रावलि सु ठाँव निकट बाद राजै।
विदित प्रेम रास जनम रसिकनि हित काजै।।
Gokul Rawali Su Thaav Nikat Baad Raajai.
Vidit Prem Raas Janam Rasikani Hit Kaajai ।।
Story of the Vanshi Incarnation
रास मध्य ललितादिक प्रार्थना जू किन्हीं ।
कर ते सुकुमारी प्यारी वंशी तब दीन्हीं ।।
सोइ कलि प्रगट रूप वंशी वपु धार्यौ ।
कुञ्ज भवन रास रवन त्रिभुवन विस्तार्यौ ।।
Raas madhya Lalitaadik praarthana joo kinheen ।
Kar te sukumaari pyaari vanshi tab deenheen ।।
Soi kali pragat roop vanshi vapu dhaaryau ।
Kunj bhavan raas ravan tribhuvan vistaaryau ।।
The very same divine flute of Shri Pyari Ju took sacred form as Shri Hit Harivansh Mahaprabhu Ji on the spiritual and blissful land of Badh village.
And from there, the ineffable (indescribable) sweetness of the Nitya-Vihar Rasa of Shri Yugal began to flow forth into all three worlds. He unveiled the profound Rasa-Vaibhava — the sublime and transcendental splendour of Shri Vrindavan — so that even an ordinary soul could behold and understand it.
Shree Hit Harivansh Mahaprabhu Ji is revered as an Acharya (“Rasik Ananya Mukh Guru” — Shree Sewak Vani Ji, Shree Hit Mangal Gaan) and he himself is the living essence of Divine Love. It is that transcendental love, that ineffable love, whose revelation was the very purpose for which He graciously assumed the form of Shree Hit Harivansh Mahaprabhu Ji. He is the sole Acharya whose sacred and auspicious advent took place upon the blissful land of Braj.
निगम ब्रह्म परसत नही, जो रस सबतै दूरि।
कियौ प्रगट हरिवंश जू, रसिकन जीवन मूरि।
Nigam brahm parasat nahi, jo ras sabtai doori ।
Kiyau pragat Harivansh joo, rasikan jeevan moori ।
There is yet another profound divine Leela woven into the sacredness of this place. During His Avtaar Leela, Shri Krishna came to the sacred land of Badh village accompanied by His beloved cowherd companions to graze the cows. Here lies a water reservoir known as Shri Krishna Sarovar. It is believed that while playing joyfully with His beloved companions, Shri Krishna left His divine flute, Venu, within the waters of this very Sarovar. That very same Venu graced Badh village once again in the age of Kali (Kaliyuga).
कृष्ण सरोवर ते प्रगट कृष्ण रसामृत सार।
Krishna sarovar te pragat krishna rasamrita saar.
अरी हेली तारा जू कूषि सुलक्षनीं कहाँ लगि करौ प्रसंश ।
रसिक मुकट मणि औतरे हेली जहाँ श्रीहित हरिवंश ।।
Aree helee taaraa joo kooshi sulakshaneen kahaan lagi karau prashansh.
Rasik mukat mani autare helee jahaan Shreehit Harivansh.
The Kutiya of Bhakt Shri Krishan Das is also situated here in Badh Village, where Shree Vyas Nandan (Shri Hit Harivansh Mahaprabhu Ji) bestowed His childhood darshan upon Shri Krishan Das, and at once he offered this pada (verse) in profound devotion.
देखि री देखि बलि व्यास नंदन बन्यौ सन्यौ सुख श्रियौ हियरौ सिरावै।
Dekhi ree dekhi bali vyaas nandan banyau sanyau sukh shriyau hiyarau siraavai.
It was in this very cottage that, soon after the divine appearance of Mahaprabhu Ji, His umbilical cord was ceremonially buried.
मधुरितु माधव मास सुहाई ।
भाग प्रकाश व्यासनन्दन मुख,
फूल्यौ कमल अमल छबि छाई ॥
श्रवत मधुर मकरन्द सुयश निजु,
कुंज केलि सौरभ सरसाई ।
सेवत रसिक अनन्य भ्रमर मन,
जैश्रीकृष्णदास सुखसार सदाई ॥
Madhuritu maadhav maas suhaai.
Bhaag prakaas vyasanandan mukh,
phoolyau kamal amal chhabi chhaai.
Shravat madhur makarand suyash niju,
kunj keli saurabh sarasaai.
Sevat rasik ananya bhramar man,
jaishreekrishnadas sukhsaar sadaai.
The Auspicious Moment of His Divine Appearance
Mahaprabhu Ji’s revered father, Pandit Vyas Mishra Ji, a resident of Deoband (Devavan), Saharanpur, was on his Braj Chaurasi Kos Parikrama along with his pregnant wife Tara Rani Ji. During this pilgrimage, they stayed in a camp near a small elevated mound (Uncha Teela) and Shri Krishna Sarovar in Badh village. It was here, at the sacred hour of dawn on Vaishakh Shukla Ekadashi (Mohini Ekadashi), Monday, Samvat 1559, that Shri Hit Harivansh Mahaprabhu Ji made His divine appearance near the holy Vat Vriksha.
At that moment, the entire atmosphere underwent a wondrous transformation. The forests seemed to come alive, the lotus flowers blossomed in the ponds, a gentle drizzle began to fall, and the entire environment was filled with an indescribable sweetness. The birds began to sing melodious songs, while the peacocks danced in ecstatic delight.
निर्जल सजल सरोवर भये ।
उखटे वृक्षन पल्लव नये।
दये सकल सुख सबनि कीं ।
Nirjal sajal sarovar bhaye.
Ukhate vrikshan pallav naye.
Daye sakal sookh sabani keen.
A Wave of Bliss Among the People of Braj
With this divine appearance, such an extraordinary wave of joy swept through the people of Braj. (It seemed the same bliss that had once descended upon Braj at the time of Shri Lal Ji’s divine Birth during Avtaar Leela.)
Overwhelmed with happiness, when the blessed father, Shri Vyas Mishra Ji, joyfully shared the auspicious news with the people of Braj, immense delight arose in every heart. Houses resounded with auspicious songs (Badhai Gaan), doorways were beautifully decorated with Bandanvars. The people of Braj were congratulating each other. They were celebrating this divine appearance of love like a grand festival.
श्रीभागवत जु शूक उच्चरी।
तैसी विधि जु व्यास विस्तरी ।
करी नन्द जैसी हुती ।
घर-घर तोरन बन्दनवार –
घर-घर प्राति चित्रहि दरबार
घर-घर पंच शब्द बाजिये।
घर-घर दान प्रातग्रह होई
घर-घर प्रति निरतत सब कोई ।
घर-घर मंगल गावहीं
घर-घर प्रति अति होत हलास
जस बरनौं श्रीहरिवंश विलास
श्रीहरिवंशहि गाइ हों।।
Shreebhagavat ju shook uccharee.
Taisee vidhi ju vyaas vistaree.
Karee nand jaisee hutee.
Ghar-ghar toran bandanvaar –
Ghar-ghar praati chitrahi darbaar
Ghar-ghar panch shabd baajiye.
Ghar-ghar daan praatagrah hoee
Ghar-ghar prati niratat sab koee.
Ghar-ghar mangal gaavahin
Ghar-ghar prati ati hot halaas
Jas baranau shreeharivansh vilaas
Shreeharivanshahi gaai hon ।।
Departure towards Deoband
At the tender age of six months, Shri Hit Harivansh Mahaprabhu Ji set forth towards Deoband (Devavan), where he blessed the sacred land with the sweetness of his countless Leelas.
Badh Gram in the Vani of the Rasik Acharyas
The Rasik Acharyas of the Sampradaya, from time to time, have lovingly sung about this divine appearance and this blessed land through their Vani Ji. A few such poignant lines are presented here.
सर्वोपरि ब्रज भूमि विदित श्रुति बाद अनादि बिराजै।
Sarvopari Braj Bhoomi Vidit Shruti Baad Anaadi Birajai.
रावल बजी गोकुल बजी अब तो बधाई बाद में।
रावल में प्यारी राधिका गोकुल गुपाला साधिका, बाद में हित के हित् अब तो बधाई बाद में।।
Raaval Bajee Gokul Bajee Ab To Badhaai Baad Men.
Raaval Men Pyaaree Raadhikaa Gokul Gupaala Saadhikaa, Baad Men Hit Ke Hit Ab To Badhaai Baad Men ।।
बाद बधाई माई रंग रली, बनि बनिता चली गली गली।
Baad Badhaai Maaee Rang Ralee, Bani Banitaa Chalee Galee Galee.
प्रगट्यौ बाद अनादि विमल रस महाराज गुरु राज रसिक बर।
Pragatyau Baad Anaadi Vimal Ras Mahaaraaj Guru Raaj Rasik Bar.
भैया बाद बधाई बाजै रे।
जमुना तीर भीर बाढ़ी उत गोकुल रावलि राजे रे।।
Bhaiya Baad Badhaai Baajai Re.
Jamuna Teer Bheer Baadhee Ut Gokul Raavali Raaje Re ।।
गोकुल रावलि कें निकट हेली मंगल रच्यौ है अभूत।
उदौ करन रस रास कौ हेली भयो व्यास घर पूत।।
Gokul Raavali Ken Nikat Helee Mangal Rachyau Hai Abhoot.
Udau Karan Ras Raas Kau Helee Bhayo Vyaas Ghar Poot ।।
सुकल पक्ष एकादशी हेली अति सुभ माधौ मास।
श्रीराधा प्रसाद दत्त हेली सुत दरस्यौ घर व्यास।।
Sukal Paksha Ekaadashi Helee Ati Subh Maadhau Maas.
Shree Raadhaa Prasaad Datta Helee Sut Darasyau Ghar Vyaas ।।
वंशी प्रगट प्रकाश अवनि श्रीहित हरिवंश किये।
Vanshee Pragat Prakaash Avani Shreehit Harivansh Kiye.
रसिक मुकट मणि औतरे हेली जहाँ श्रीहित हरिवंश।
Rasik Mukat Mani Autare Helee Jahaan Shreehit Harivansh.
ऐरी बीर बाजत बाद बधाई
Airee Beer Baajat Baad Badhaai
Temple as It Stands Today
The temple situated in Badh village still preserves within its sacred walls the entire history, carrying the timeless memories of those sacred moments, as the divine past still breathes gently through every corner of the Temple.
- Shri Naamseva Ji — reverentially enshrined by Shri Van Chandra Mahaprabhu Ji.
- A venerable Banyan Tree (Vat Vriksha), beneath whose shade the lotus feet of Shri Hit Ji remain worshipped with devotion.
- The tender picture of Shri Mahaprabhu Ji, lovingly enshrined — allowing devotees to feel the sweetness of the divine presence even today.
- In front of the Naam Seva Temple, the holy impressions of the feet of the Rasika devotees, preserved upon a sacred stone.
- Shri Yugal Sarkar (Priya Ju & Lal Ju) grace the devotees with Their eternal presence.
- Shri Yugal Sarkar amidst the loving presence of their Nine Sakhis.
- Shri Hit Ji, in His tender child form, seated alongside Mata Tara Rani Ji and His revered father, Pandit Vyas Mishra Ji.
The walls of these sacred Temples are adorned with the verses and Padas of Shri Hit Vani Ji. Near the Yugal Temple is a sacred chamber where the beautiful forms of Shri Hit Bindukul and Shri Nadukul Rasiks are preserved, and in another chamber there are loving depictions of the childhood Leelas of Shri Hit Ji Maharaj. There is one more chamber that preserves a collection of the sacred compositions of Shri Hit Vani Ji — a treasure of devotional expressions lovingly safeguarded for generations.
Within the temple there is a Goshala, and beside it lies a beautiful garden with little ponds adorned with blooming lotuses. The tranquil surroundings are forever filled with the melodious calls of peacocks, papiha, cuckoos and other feathered beings, creating an atmosphere of timeless beauty and devotion.
The Annual Festival of Divine Appearance
Every year, on the sacred occasion of Shukla Ekadashi, the auspicious day of Mohini Ekadashi, the Prakatya Utsav of Shri Hit Harivansh Mahaprabhu Ji, lovingly celebrated as ‘Hitotsav’, is observed with profound devotion, reverence and joyous festivity.
For the people of Badh Village, this is not merely a festival — it is an occasion when the entire village seems to awaken to the memory of that most sacred moment when divine grace descended upon this blessed land. The whole village is ceremonially invited to participate in this grand festival. Devotees come from far-off places and sing the sacred Badhaiyaan, celebrating this auspicious Prakatya Utsav of Shri Hit Harivansh Mahaprabhu Ji — the songs resound through the village, and every heart overflows with love and gratitude for this most blessed occasion.
Epilogue – A Land Where the Divine Presence Still Breathes
Badh Gram — a sacred land where the divine presence of Shri Hit Harivansh Mahaprabhu Ji can still be felt today.
Its sacred kunds (ponds), its venerable Vat Vriksha and its tranquil lanes nestled between Gokul and Rawal still lovingly preserve the memory of that auspicious dawn of Vaishakh when the very heart of Braj took birth in the tender form of a newborn child.