Raval
Raval is the birthplace of Srimati Radharani. There is a small temple here called the Larily Lal Temple with Radha Krishna Deities, close to the bank of the Yamuna. The Deity of Krishna is said to have been established by Vrajanabha. Also located here is Radha Ghata. If you are going to Gokula to come to Raval is just a 30-minute side excursion and it is an important place.
Not many people visit this place. King Vrishabhanu and Queen Kirtida are the father and mother of Srimati Radharani. Once King Vrishabhanu went to the Yamuna River to take bath. He saw a golden lotus flower that shone like a million suns in the middle of the river. In the middle of the lotus flower was baby Srimati Radharani. Lord Brahma appeared before King Vrishabhanu and told him that in his previous life he and his wife, Kirtida, had performed great austerities to get the consort of Lord Vishnu as their daughter. King Vrishabhanu took the child home, but found Her to be blind. Narada Muni appeared before the king and told him that despite the child’s blindness he should go ahead and perform all the auspicious birth ceremonies. Nanda Maharaja brought baby Krishna along for the ceremonies. When baby Krishna crawled before Srimati Radharani, She could smell the wonderful aroma of His body, and at that moment She opened Her eyes. The first person She saw was Her eternal consort, Sri Krishna.
It is said that at Radha’s birth, Narad himself went and met Vrishbhanu and informed him, “This girl’s beauty and nature is divine. All the houses, wherever her footprints are, Lord Narayan with all other deities will reside. Nurture this girl thinking her to be a Goddess.” According to Narada’s advice, Vrishbhanu nurtured Radha with great love and care. Nanda who lived in the nearby village was friends with Vrishbanu. Once during the festival of Holi; Vrishbanu went to Gokul to meet Nanda Maharaja and in house Krishna (who was growing up as their son) met Radha. Their union was divine, phenomenal and incessant. This meeting was Radha and Krishna’s first meeting.