200-yr-old heritage temple crumbling in Walled City

VADODARA: It is amongst one of the oldest temples from the Gaekwadi era in the old city, but is in a state of utter neglect. Such is the situation that many fear that the structure of the Radha Vallabh temple on the Bank Road may collapse at any time.
The highlight of the temple is that the idol of Lord Krishna which is a replica of the idol in Vrindavan.It is said that the idol in the temple was made in Vrindavan itself and brought to the temple adjoining Sarkarwada. The historic Sanskrit Pathshala that had trained many Sanskrit scholars and pandits was also located on the floor above the temple.

Artist Vrajesh Shah who has his gallery opposite the temple is amongst the few who still visit the temple regularly and are miffed at the state of affairs.
“The temple has no income at all. Even the Rs 125 that was paid to the caretaker of the temple regularly has not been paid for years now,” said Shah. He added that the amount was negligible, but reflected on the state of affairs.
“I am helping out the caretaker in whatever way I can as I grew up visiting the temple and have an attachment with it,” he said.
Activist from the walled city and convener of the Navchetana Forum, Kirti Parikh, said that the idol was brought by Maharani Gahenabai from Vrindavan. He added that the queen had been given a lot of jewellery by her parents and used to use it for temples. “The idol at Radha Vallabh temple was also procured with this money,” he said.
Shah pointed out that the queen had arranged funds for around seven temples in the city. “These include prominent temples like Vitthalnathji’s temple, Bahucharaji Temple, Khandoba temple and others. The Radha Vallabh temple itself is around 200 years old,” he said.
Gahenabai was the wife of Maharaja Govindrao Gaekwad who took over the reins of the Baroda state on July 27, 1793. Govindrao ruled the state till his death on September 19, 1800.