Narayana Dham in Madhya Pradesh State of Bharat is a small village where Sudama and Krishna used to go to collect dry wood for fuel.
Ujjain is glorified as one of the sapta moksha puris. This sacred city boasts of many ancient temples enlisted in the Skanda Purana. There are not only temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, but also ancient temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
Ujjain is particularly famed for the gurukula of Sandipani Muni where Lord Krishna studied under the tutelage of His guru. It is here that Lord Krishna met His friend Sudama brahmana. However, there is a place not far from this ashrama which celebrates the friendship of Lord Krishna and Sudama. A place which is unknown to anyone, a place that shall remind you about the greatness of eternal friendship with Lord Krishna.
Narayana Dham or Narayan Gaon or Narana is a small village in the Shivpuri District of Madhya Pradesh. It is quite near to Ujjain. The village hosts a beautiful and serene temple of Sri Krishna and Sudama, perhaps one of its kind in Bharat. The temple reminds its visitors about the bond of friendship between the Supreme Lord and His pure devotee – the Sudama brahmana.
How is Narayana Dham connected to Lord Krishna and Sudama
Out of the 125 years of His lilas on this earth, Lord Krishna spent a little time at Ujjain studying under the direction of Sandipani Muni. Lord Krishna learnt sixty-four arts in sixty-four days during His life as a student in the gurukula of Sandipani Muni.
Although Lord Krishna is the source of Vedic Knowledge, He played the part of an ideal human being – how one must approach a spiritual master and follow the principles of brahmacharya. Like other human beings, Lord Krishna also made friends at the gurukula.
One such friend was Sudama brahmana. Once Lord Krishna and Sudama were sent to the nearby forest by their guru mata to collect dry wood for fuel. While searching for dry wood, they both entered the dense forest and became lost. Suddenly the weather changed. There was lightning everywhere and the great sound of thunder. There was a dust storm all around and then darkness got in due to sunset.
Then severe rainfall started which flooded the ground and they were not able to trace the path to their guru’s ashram. Due to heavy rain and the dust storm both felt cold and were greatly distressed. They caught each other’s hand and started looking for the way to return. Every way they would face, they would get distressed and confused. For the whole night they were not able to figure out the path.
In the morning when their absence was known at the ashrama, Sandipani Muni took a group of his disciples to search for Krishna and Sudama. When they found the boys, both were distressed and tired. Sandipani Muni was very pleased due to the trouble these boys for the sake of pleasing the guru. Every student must prioritize the service of the spiritual master over one’s personal comforts.
Being satisfied by their service attitude towards the spiritual master, Sandipani Muni blessed both to remember the teachings of Vedic Literature throughout their life. Whenever they wanted, all the teachings of their guru would be remembered by them. Sandipani Muni considered himself fortunate to be blessed with disciples such as Krishna and Sudama.
Sri Krishna Sudama Temple at Narayana Dham
There is a temple dedicated to Lord Krishna and His friend Sudama brahmana in this small village. The temple is a simple structure with a lot of open space within its courtyard. This is believed to be the only temple in the world where Lord Krishna and Sudama are worshiped together.
As one enters the main arch of the temple, one comes to a small temple in which Lord Krishna is worshiped with His friend Sudama on the altar. Opposite the temple are two ever green trees which grew from the dry wood sticks planted by Lord Krishna and Sudama. These trees indicate an eternal bond between Lord Krishna and Sudama.
There is a small kalyani or kunda in the same courtyard which was dug by Lord Krishna using His hands. Lord Krishna and Sudama spent the whole night under a giant tree which was at this spot earlier. While waiting there Sudama felt thirsty and to quench the thirst of His friend, Lord Krishna dug a small pit from where water started springing. Even today water is coming out of the ground in this Kalyani.
Krishna Sudama Temple at Narayana Dham
Darshan Timings of Narayana Dham
Sri Krishna Sudama Temple in Narayana Dham is open at per the following timings:
Morning – 6 am to 1 pm
Evening – 3 pm to 8 pm
Sri Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated grandly here.
Ideal time to visit Narayana Dham
The temple can be visited all-round the year except during the rainy season. The weather is quite pleasant here.
How to reach Narayana Dham?
The best way to travel to Narayana Dham is to embark on Tirtha Yatra’s Ujjain Tour. All your needs are taken care of while you just focus on the darshan.
If you wish to venture on your own, here are the ways:
It is quite difficult to reach this place as it is not frequented by the people. Hence the connectivity is very limited.
By Air – the nearest airport is Rani Ahalya Bai Airport in Indore. From here taxis can be taken to Narayana Dham.
By Rail – the nearest Railway Station is Ujjain Railway Station. From here you may either take a private taxi or take the State Road Transport buses to reach Narayana Dham.
By Road – Narayana Dham has got good connectivity by road. State Transport Buses are available from Ujjain periodically. During the rainy season, it is not advised to travel by road to this place.
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