The Jagat shiromani temple ( Jewel on the head of Lord Vishnu) also known as Meerabai temple located in Amer, Rajasthan. Constructed between 1599 and 1608 is believed to house the idol of Shree Krishna which Meerabai herself worshipped. The idol of Krishna was saved by the rulers of Amer from the Mughal invaders in Mewar and was brought back here.
The garbagriha of the temple houses the idol of Lord Vishnu in white marble, and the idols of Shree Krishna and Meerabai. It is believed that it is the only temple where Krishna and Meerabai are worshipped together.
Built on top of a small hill, one of the most striking features of the temple are it's beautiful 'Torans' (ornamental archways which are usually found in Jain temples). In the canopy adjacent to the temple is a beautifully chiselled statue of Garuda, Lord Vishnu's carrier. The walls and the ceilings of the temple are carved with elephants, horses and scenes from various religious scriptures. One of the entrances of the temple is through the stairways of the Amer fort leading to the temple courtyard.
मेरी भव-बाधा हरौ, राधा नागरि सोइ।
जा तन की झाँई परैं, स्यामु हरित-दुति होइ॥
या अनुरागी चित्त की, गति समुझै नहिं कोइ।
ज्यौं-ज्यौं बूड़ै स्याम रँग, त्यौं-त्यौं उज्जलु होई॥
- Dr Devang H Dattani
Bishnupur (the city of God Vishnu), was the capital of the Malla dynasty of eastern India. They were ardent followers of Vaishnavism, and the temples of Bishnupur were instrumental in consolidating the Gaudiya Vaishnava community of Bengal. The Shyama Raya Temple in the photograph above, was built by the Malla king, Raghunath Singh.
The Gaudiya Vaishnava devotional movement emerged under the guidance of a popular Bengali saint, Chaitanya, who expressed the importance of a personal and intimate relation (Bhakti) with the main
deity of the tradition, God Krishna.
Shri Brahma said:
“My dear Lord Krishna, one who earnestly waits for You to bestow Your causeless mercy upon him, all the while patiently suffering the reactions of his past misdeeds and offering You respectful obeisances with his heart, words and body, is surely eligible for liberation, for it has become his rightful claim.”~Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.14.8