Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray is set to visit Mathura on November 27, 2023, to inaugurate the recently restored Thakur Shyam Shyam Mandir. The temple, situated at Shyam Ghat, holds a rich history spanning 500 years and is deeply revered by Vaishnavites.
Established in the early 16th century by Vallabhacharya, the founder of the Pushtimarg tradition, the Thakur Shyam Shyam Mandir has been a prominent center of the Bhakti movement and Braj Bhasha, the language of Braj. Dedicated to the Yugal form of ashta-sakha Cheet Swamiji, the temple has played a significant role in the 84 Kosi pilgrimage and is a cherished refuge for Vaishnavites visiting Vishram Ghat for ‘Yamuna Paan’.
Over the years, the temple had fallen into a state of disrepair, prompting efforts to secure funding for its restoration. Despite challenges in utilising MPLADS or CSR funds for such projects, Priyanka Chaturvedi, with the support of N.R. Alluri Ji’s Nagarjuna Foundation, played a crucial role in reviving the temple.
The upcoming inauguration by Aaditya Thackeray marks the culmination of these restoration efforts and signifies the temple’s continued importance in the cultural and historical landscape of Mathura. The restored Thakur Shyam Shyam Mandir is poised to once again serve as a beacon of spiritual solace and cultural heritage for generations to come.
