Gopeshwar Mahadev is a form of Shiva worshiped in the famous Gopeshwar Temple at Vrindavan. The story of Gopeshwar Mahadev is associated with Sri Krishna’s Raas Lila in the Vrindavan. Legend has it that Shiva and Parvati wanted to take part in the Raas Lila in Vrindavan.
But Shiva could not enter the Raas Lila arena as He was a male. Gopi Vrinda explained to Shiva that only females could participate in the Raas Lila. But Shiva was not ready to budge. So Gopi Vrinda asked Shiva to take bath in Yamuna River and come back. (Some scriptures suggest that she asked Shiva to take the dip in the Mansarovar River .)
After taking dip in the Yamuna River , Shiva attained a female form. Sri Krishna who saw the new gopi addressed her as Gopishwara.
Gopeshwar from that day onward stands guarding the Raas Lila arena. He only allows only those who are qualified to enter the arena.
The famous Gopeshwar Mahadev Temple located in Vrindavan is dedicated to this divine event. The temple is unique as worship is offered to Shivling during the day time and during night time the Shivling is draped in a ‘sari’ – female dress.