Radhakunda
is located in northwest part of Vraja (the area near Vrindavana) 100 km
south from capitol Delhi. Gaudiya-vaisnavas consider this lake of
Srimati Radharani to be the most sacred place on Earth...
(by clicking on pictures you
will get three times bigger ones in new window) |
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Radhakunda is situated
on the parikrama (pilgrimage) road around the Govardhana Hill.
The whole Govardhana is about 11 km long and by its shape it
resemble peacock. Both ponds - Radhakunda and Syamakunda - are
like its eyes. |
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When Krishna killed
Aristhasura, a demon in the form of bull, he approached
Radharani with desire to enjoy loving pastimes. But Radharani
rebuked Him, saying that He became impure by killing a bull,
the symbol of religion. She suggested that He could get
purified by taking bath in holy rivers on all sacred places... |
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...Krishna immediately
stroked His lotus feet in the ground and created a hole.
Thereafter He called all holy rivers. They appeared in front
of Him and formed Syamakunda. Krishna took bath in this pond
and said that he become purified by taking bath, but gopis
became contaminated by siding with the demon even in form of a
bull... |
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...Radharani
and other gopis took their bracelets, broke them into pieces
and begin to dig their pond. However, there was no water and
Krishna started to laugh. Gopis created a line to Manasa Ganga
and started to bring water from there... |
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... The representative
of all holy rivers again appeared and this time begged
Radharani if they can reside in Her lake. Radharani agreed and
holy rivers flowed from Syamakunda thus filling Radhakunda. |
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In the center of
Radhakunda of today is small area with the wall around it
called Kankanakunda (or Kancankunda). It is the area of the
original pond created by gopis with their bracelets. |
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Radhakunda appeared at
12-th midnight on Bahulastami (the eight day of waning moon in
the month of Karttika). |
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In the autumn (October/November) at the appearance day of
Radhakunda many thousands of people gather...
|
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...and wait for the midnight. Then they take bath in
Radhakunda. It is really ecstatic and exiting event with
ghee lamps shining on darkened waters of Radhakunda.
|
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Both lakes were long forgotten until the time of Lord
Caitanya, 500 years ago.
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Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu ordered Rupa, Sanatana and other
Goswamis to excavate places of Krishna's pastimes in Vraja,
but He has rediscovered Radhakunda Personally (1514), as
documented in Sri Caitanya-caritamrita. When Lord Caitanya
came there, Radhakunda and Syamakunda were just small lakes
few meters wide among forests and fields.
|
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Raghunatha dasa Goswami came to Radhakunda few years after
that. He began the reconstruction of sacred lakes around
1554.
Long after Mahaprabhu's departure from this world, Raghunatha
dasa Goswami wanted to restore the whole area of Radhakunda,
understanding that in the future many pilgrims will want to
see this holy place...
|
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...At that time a
wealthy merchant Sampanna went to Badarikasram, high in
Himalayas, to take darsan of the local Deity. Krishna appeared
to him in a dream and told him to go to Raghunatha dasa
Goswami and help him retrieve the Radhakunda. Sampanna did as
Krishna told him and reconstruction could start. |
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With his financial help
Radhakunda was completed first (the closer lake on the
picture) and thereafter the work started on Syamakunda
(further away). |
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One day Maharaja
Yudhisthira appeared in the dream to Raghunatha dasa Goswami
and asked him not to cut the trees on the banks of Syamakunda,
since he and his brothers are in the form of trees performing
their bhajan (worship). Raghunatha of course didn't cut the
trees and in this way Syamakunda got its irregular shape. |
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Panca-pandava.
Local people say that Pandavas already left and only death trees mark
the place of their former meditation. |
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1. Radha-Krishna Purana Mandira
2. Jhulana sthali
3. Gopala Manipur Mandira
4. Radha-Shyamasundar Mandira
5. Radha-Gopinath Mandira
6. Ma Jahnava Baithak
7. Ananga Manjari kunja
8. Raghunatha dasa Goswami Samadhi
9. Govinda Ghata
10. Radharaman Mandira
11. Radha-Govinda Mandira
12. Jihva Mandir (tongue of Govardhan)
13. Gopala Bhatta Goswami Bhajan Kutir
14. Three Goswami Samadhi
15. Raghunatha dasa Goswami Bhajan Kutir
16. Vishvanatha Cakravarti Bhajan Kutir
17. Pilu tree
18. Manasa-pavana Ghata
19. Krishnadasa Kaviraja Bhajan Kutir
20. Bhaktivinoda Thakura Bhajan Kutir |
21. Jagannatha Mandira
22. Lalita Kund
23. Jiva Goswami Bhajan Kutir
24. Jiva Goswami Ghata
25. Lalita-Bihari Mandir
26. Manipur Maharaja Mandira
27. Radha-Vinoda Mandira
28. Madhavendra Puri Baithak
29. Gopi-kupa
30. Ashta-sakhi Mandira
31. Nitai-Gauranga Sitanath Mandira
32. Radha-Madhava Mandira
33. Caitanya Mahaprabhu Baithak
34. Pasha-khela Ghata
35. Radha-Madana-mohana Mandira
36. Lotus Footprints
37. Sangam
38. Giriraja Maharaja
39. Mahaprabhu Mandira
40. Radha-Gopinatha Mandira
41. Nityananda Prabhu Baithak
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1. Radha-Krisna
Purana Mandir
Near the Kundeswara Mahadeva Temple there is small temple of a pyramid
shape. Raghunatha dasa Goswami rediscovered local Radha Krishna Deities
during the excavation of Radhakunda. |
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It is the oldest temple in the area and the Deities are said
to be predominant Deities of Radhakunda. In the courtyard of
the temple there is a banyan and neem tree, interlocked to
each other. Local people worship it as Radha and Krishna.
|
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In Radhakunda area we
can find also Gaudiya Math Temple founded by Bhaktisiddhanta
Sarasvati... |
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...Deities on the altar are Sri Sri Vinodbihari and Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
|
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Pilgrims performing
parikrama offer their respects. |
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|
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2. Jhulana-sthali
There is a stone structure near the bank under banyan tree shaped like
an upside-down "U" mark where Radha and Krsna enjoy Their swing
pastimes (jhulana). |
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3. Sri Gopal Manipur Mandir
Gopal Deity was originally being worshiped in the house of brahmana.
About one hundred years ago. The king of Manipura had a dream in which
the Deity of Gopala appeared and ordered the king to built a temple
for Him at such a place that He could gaze at Radhakunda as well as
give darsana to Surya, sun-god. The king built a nice temple for Lord
Gopala located at the exact spot where the first rays of the rising
sun appear at Radhakunda. The temple is presently in care of ISKCON
devotees.
|
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5. Radha Gopinath Temple is situated directly on the
banks of Radhakunda.
|
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On the altar Sri
Gopinath is in the center and Ananga Manjari, younger sister
of Srimati Radharani, is on His right. |
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Temple room is directly next to
hall of Raghunatha's samadhi. Big feast on the occasion of his
departure is being held every year. |
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The hall during this time becomes
part of kitchen... |
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...with huge pots of subji. |
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Temple entrance from Radhakunda's
bank. |
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6. Jahnava Mata baithak
Jahnava Mata, the consort of Lord Nityananda visited Radhakunda around
1582 to console Raghunatha dasa Goswami who felt great separation from
Radha and Krishna.
"Baithak" is a favorite spot of certain devotee who used
to sit there.
|
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Ma Jahnava, while sitting here had a wonderful vision of Lord
Gopinath standing under tamala tree playing His flute. That
is why the Gopinath Deity was installed just next to her
baithak.
|
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Near her sitting place there are
some steps leading down to the water. This place was known as
Jahnava-ghat or private bathing place of Ma Jahnava. |
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7. Ananga Manjari kunja
The very spot where Jahnava Mata sat is the place where in
aprakat-lila, a footbridge made of pure crystal extends out
into the middle of Radhakunda, where the kunja (grove) of
Anaga Manjari is situated. This kunja appears like a large
lotus flower floating in the middle of Radhakunda. Ma Jahnava
is of course no other than Anaga Manjari, the younger sister of Srimati
Radharani. |
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8. Samadhi of Srila Raghunatha dasa Goswami
Raghunatha dasa Goswami was born in Bengal in 1494. Although he came
from a very wealthy family, he had absolutely no interest in material
affairs. On a number of occasions, much to the consternation of his
loving parents, Raghunatha tried to run away from home and join Lord
Caitanya at Jagannath Puri. At Jagannath Puri, Lord Caitanya placed
Raghunatha under a care of Svarupa Damodara Goswami, Lord's principle
secretary.
|
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Raghunatha dasa was the
embodiment of renunciation and ate only to keep his soul and
body together. His strict regulative principles were exactly
like lines etched in stone, as such lines can never be erased.
Lord Caitanya presented Raghunatha with His own
Govardhana-sila to worship as well as gunja-mala, sacred to Radharani.
Rupa and Sanatan, who took care about Raghunatha in Vrindavan, took it
as a sign that Raghunatha should take shelter of Govardhan Hill and
reside on the banks of Radhakunda. Raghunatha spent the rest
of his life at Radhakunda. After 40 years of bhajana, in 1583
due to intense feeling of separation from Radha and Krisna
passed away to join his Lord in spiritual world. |
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In the temple of Radha-Gopinath the ashes of Raghunatha dasa
Goswami are entombed. Jiva Goswami personally performed last
rites and placed ashes in the samadhi. It is said that some
parts of his ashes were placed in different places because
of fear of repressive Mogul rule, to prevent desecration.
Behind the samadhi is a small movable stone. Under this stone
is caranamrita of samadhi-murti of Raghunatha dasa Goswami.
|
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24 hours kirtan (singing of mantras and songs for the pleasure
of Radha and Krishna) already continues for many years.
|
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...kirtan started
around 1960 and continues until today. |
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9. Govinda-ghat
Sanatan Goswami once expressed his doubts about a verse by
Rupa Goswami where he had compared the braid in Her hairs to
a serpent's black hood. At noon he came to this ghat and saw
some girls playing under nearby tree. Sanatan suddenly saw a
black snake approaching one of the girls from behind and
shouted to the girl to warn her...
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...Upon hearing Sanatana's warning, the girl tuned around,
smiled at Sanatana and disappeared. Sanatan with tears in
his eyes, immediately run to Rupa Goswami and congratulated
him that the poetic metaphor used in his verse was
absolutely correct.
|
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12. Jihva Mandir
Raghunatha dasa Goswami considered the water from Radhakunda
to be too sacred for his bodily use and wanted to have a
well made....
|
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...One of the workers stroked a stone, which started to bleed.
Raghunatha immediately stopped him and in the night Krishna
appeared to him...
|
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...He told him that this stone is a tongue
of the Govardhana Hill. He wanted him to install and worship
the sacred sila in the temple... |
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...On the backside of the sila we can still see the
markings of workers tools...
|
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...It is said that if one walks around this Govardhana-sila 10
times, he receives the same benefit as if he has
circumambulated the whole Govardhana Hill
(govardhana-parikrama). This possibility is usually used in
time of physical indisposition.
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Jihva (tongue) Temple is near the Radha-Govinda temple on
Radhakunda.
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14. Teen Goswami Samadhi
Teen Goswami Samadhi (samadhis of three Goswamis) is about 20
meters from Radha Govinda Temple. Raghunatha Bhatta Goswami
(1563), Krisnadasa Kaviraja Goswami (1583) and Raghunatha
dasa Goswami (1588) left this word on the same day but in
different year. Their samadhis are just near each other.
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Samadhis from left to right Raghunatha Bhatta Goswami,
Krishnadasa Kaviraja Goswami and Raghunatha dasa Goswami.
According to some sources those are puspa-samadhis and
it is quite possible that the same portions of ashes of
these saintly devotees were buried at different places.
|
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This is how it looked like few years ago.
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13. Bhajan-kutir of Gopal Bhatta Goswami is few steps
from there. Gopal Bhatta established Radharamana temple in
Vrindavana and spent much of his time at Radhakunda with
Raghunatha dasa Goswami and Krisnadasa Kaviraja Goswami.
Bhajan-kutir is usually a small cottage or living place
(kutir) where sages and devotees used to live and perform
their bhajan (worship by singing, meditating, reciting
mantras, reading, writing or performing ceremonies).
|
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It is interesting that Gopal Bhatta
Goswami requested Krisnadasa Kaviraja not to mention his name
in Sri Caitanya-caritamrita. Trinad-api-sunicena... |
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15. Bhajan kutir of
Srila Raghunatha dasa Goswami. Raghunatha dasa Goswami is
said to perform bhajan here at Radhakunda for almost 40 years. In the
first few years, he lived out in the open. Once when Raghunatha was
sitting on the bank of Syamakunda performing his bhajana, two
tigers appeared out of the jungle and came to drink water from
the kunda. Raghunatha was so absorbed that he did not notice
the tigers nearby. Lord Krsna suddenly appeared and stood at
distance, just make sure no harm came to him... |
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...Another day he was chanting holy name and as day went by
the sunshine became unbearably hot. Raghunatha started
perspiring and from his eyes torrents of tears were flowing.
Srimati Radharani could not bear this scene. She personally
came there and stood behind holding Her veil shielding
Raghunatha from the sun. It so happened that Sanatana Goswami saw both
those scenes from a distance and became furious with Raghunatha for
his taking service from Radharani and Krisna. "You should serve
Them and not because of your negligence force Them to serve you!"
thus getting Raghunatha to built his bhajan-kutir...
|
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...Every day Raghunatha dasa Goswami used to talk for three
hours about ecstatic pastimes of Lord Caitanya on the banks
of Syamakunda surrounded by all the devotees. Krisnadasa
Kaviraja was also there listening in rapt attention and
everything recorded in Antya-lila of Caitanya-caritamrta.
19. Bhajan-kutir of Krishnadasa Kaviraja Goswami
|
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Near Syamakunda in proximity of Raghunatha's bhajan-kutir is
also bhajan-kutir of Krishnadasa Kaviraja Goswami...
|
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... where he wrote some parts of Caitanya-caritamrita.
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16. Bhajan-kutir of Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura is
right left to Raghunatha's kutir closer to Syamakunda above
Manasa-pavana-ghat. Vishvanatha Cakravarti was born in
Bengal in 1638 and spent large part of his life at
Radhakunda.
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17. Pilu tree, growing nearby was in his previous life
brahmana from Varanasi...
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...Desiring service to Radha and Krsna he was born here as
this pilu tree on the bank of Syamakunda. Vishvanatha used
to discuss with him about Krisna's pastimes and brahmana in
the form of tree told him many things that took place here
during Krisna's pastimes 5000 years ago.
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Nearby trunk of dried tree is
said to be Bhimasen. Now he went to aprakat (unrevealed to our
eyes) lila... |
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...But on his place new sprouts
are already growing. |
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18. Beautiful sight of Syamakunda from
Manasa Pavana Ghat.
|
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In the corner of
Syamakunda there is a place known as Manasa Pavana Ghat. There
Radharani and Her friends took bath every noon... |
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...and just next to it
is Panca Pandava Ghat. |
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The house of
Bhaktivinoda Thakura was built in the beginning of the
century. We can find it on the way further away from
Syamakunda. |
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Bhaktivinoda Thakura
during his life (1838-1914) used to stay on different places
including Radhakunda. Together with his son Bhaktisiddhanta
Sarasvati they preached Krishna consciousness and tried to
disclose pretenders. |
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Puspa-samadhi of
Bhaktivinoda Thakura and his son Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati (on
the left). "Puspa" means "flowers" and after departure of
saints the flowers from their actual samadhi (tomb, where
their bodily remains are buried) are brought to different
places, which were connected with their lives. The flowers are
buried there and in this way a puspa-samadhi is made. |
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Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati used to come there in Karttika
(October/November). We can see his personal belongings -
wooden shoes, cane, chair and table.
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Bhaktivinoda Thakura wrote in his Gita-mala: "The banks of
Radhakunda are made of billions of conscious ecstatic,
desire-fulfilling touchstones, and surrounding the kunda are
hundreds and hundreds of beautiful transcendental gardens
made of coral and rubies. The trees in those gardens produce
diamonds and pearls, their branches bending under the weight of
millions of those lovely gems...
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...My cottage is shining beautifully within that most
enchanting garden called Svananda-sukhada-kunja. Living
there I will sing Krishna's holy name, and I will greedily
hanker for the time when I will get the service of Him and
His associates."
If you are lucky, you will get benediction by
Bhaktisiddhanta's walking stick.
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Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati was the first to bring a number of
disciples that were not born in brahmana families and
dressed in western clothes to Vrindavan and Radhakunda. In
Vrindavan even stones were thrown on them as babaji a caste
goswami community protested, and all temples were closed
except Radharaman Goswamis who enthusiastically welcomed
them. Bhaktisiddhanta continued his preaching and planning for further
spreading of Krishna consciousness...
|
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...and since than many things have
changed. |
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21. Jagannatha Mandir. |
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It has became a common practice for devotees performing
Radhakunda parikrama and Govardhana parikrama to stop here
and take darsan of beautiful Deities of Lord Jagannatha,
Baladeva and Subhadra.
|
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Friendly pujari is making maps of
Radhakunda and Vraja-mandala... |
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There are signs of Visnu on the
tree trunk: cakra, lotus, conshell and club. |
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22. Lalitakund
Surrounding Radhakunda and Syamakunda there are the kundas of the eight
main gopi assistants of Srimati Radharani and Krishna. |
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Lalitakunda is the only
one manifested today. |
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Samadhis next to Lalitakund. |
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Entrance leading to bhajan-kutir of
Jiva Goswami. |
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23. Bhajan kutir of Srila Jiva Goswami
It is the place where he liked to stay while being on
Radhakunda. Even though Raghunatha dasa Goswami was the
inspiration and spiritual force behind the excavation of
Radhakunda, it was Srila Jiva Goswami who actually purchased
the land, oversaw the excavation and managed the work. He
also made sure that Raghunatha was properly taken care of
because, being so deeply absorbed in the feelings of separation from
Radha and Krsna, he had practically no perception of worldly affairs.
|
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Srila Jiva Goswami
arrived to Vrindavan in 1535 and under expert guidance of Rupa
and Sanatana Goswami became brilliant scholar, compiling
400 000 sanskrit verses glorifying the teachings of Lord
Caitanya. Jiva Goswami is known as the India's greatest
philosopher of all times and his Sat-sandarbha to be the penultimate in
all philosophical understanding. |
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Deities in bhajan-kutir
of Srila Jiva Goswami and footprint of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. |
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28. Madhavendra Puri
Baithak
Madhavendra Puri, a great saint who came shortly before the appearance
of Lord Caitanya, used to sit in this place. |
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29. Gopi-kupa is the well
originally used by gopis... |
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...and rebuilt by
Raghunatha dasa Goswami. Here the tongue of Govardhana was
found. |
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33. Tamala-tala
(Mahaprabhu-baithak)
In this place on the banks of Syamakunda Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu used
to sit during His visit. We can find it on heightened area near a tree.
|
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The original tamala tree is not
here any more... |
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... but on the right side of
baithak there is small offshoot tamala already growing. |
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Sri Caitanya traveled
Vraja asking people about Radhakunda and Syamakunda... |
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...Than He came here
and upon hearing the name of the village - Aristagram - Sri
Caitanya became ecstatic. To Him it was obvious that the sacred lakes
must be somewhere nearby. But nobody knew exactly where... |
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...After while He discovered two
rice fields on the side of the jungle. One was called Gauri
(golden) and the other Kali (black) and two small ponds... |
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...He took bath in them and
announced to His devotees that those are the places of Radha
and Krisna's most intimate pastimes. |
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Sight of Syamakunda from
Caitanya-baithak. |
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34. Pasa-khela-ghat
Gopis were ashamed being defeated in many water sports and games by
Krsna and therefore challenged Him to a game of pasa (dice).
Thus Krsna lost His precious Kaustubha gem and had to cheat on the next
throw to win Radharani's embrace...
|
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37. Sangam (Ratna-vedi)
is a meeting place of both sacred lakes. Here Radha and Krsna
in the form of the waters of Syamakunda and Radhakunda embrace
eternally... |
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...If one looks closely one can see small slits in the stone
steps below white Carana-cinha that allows the waters of the
two sacred kundas to mix together.
Carana-cinha (36.) is a shrine of Radha and
Krisna's lotus feet.
|
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38. Giriraja Maharaja Mandira
At the sangam the large number of Govardhana silas create mini-mountain
of Giriraja. |
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It was here, next to white house,
where Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati told Srila Prabhupada: "If you
ever get money, print books." |
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41. Nityananda Baithak
Lord Nityanada in the mood of Balarama traveled around Vrindavan
looking for His younger brother Krsna. Wondering around
Govardhan Hill and calling out the name of Kanhaiya (Krsna) He
must have looked to everybody around as completely mad
avadhuta... |
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...But right here at
this spot, celestial voice told Him, that His brother had now
appeared in Navadvipa. Lord Nityananda immediately got up and
set out to Bengal. |
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His baithak was just painted by
small Braja-vasi (who might been as bluish as Krsna Himself at
the end of the day, if he had enough paint). |
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Inside of baithak. |
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Many buildings at Radhakunda are
from times of Raghunatha dasa Goswami, but people continue to
construct new ones even today... |
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...and Radhakunda is thus becoming
quite busy place. |
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Deity of Siva protects
holy places from different sides and Radhakunda is not an
exception... |
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...Sri Kundeswara
Mahadeva protects Radhakunda from unqualified people.
Altogether there are four Siva Deities on four sides. |
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Big tortoises live in
Radhakunda. |
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Devotees from all over the world during their visit in Vraja
usually do not forget to visit Radhakunda and Govardhana.
Nava-yogendra Swami with other devotees.
|
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Some even stay for some time at Radhakunda, perform their
bhajan and relish the spiritual atmosphere...
...like Nitai Cand Swami, one of the initiating spiritual
masters in ISKCON.
|
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Small altar,
bookshelves, bed - really humble bhajan-kutir. |
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Parikram around Radhakunda is
sometimes made in such a way that people carry a vessel of
milk with small hole in it allowing the milk to drop, thus leaving
"milky way" on the ground. |
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In 1670
many Deities were transferred from Vrindavana to Jaipur,
because it was never conquered by Muslim kings... |
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First stop was
Radhakunda and in honor of Lord's visit small pratibhu-murtis(expanded
forms nondifferent from the original ones) were installed and
their worship continues until today. |
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Small replicas of the
Vrindavana Temples were also built and residents of Radhakunda
can visit all main temples of Vrindavana without leaving
Radhakunda. |
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The worship of local
Deities continues for centuries. |
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"May very fragrant Radhakunda, on the shore of which, in a
pleasant courtyard Queen Radha and Her friends sweetly joke
with Lord Krishna, the moon of Vraja, be my shelter."
(Raghunatha dasa Goswami)
|
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"May very fragrant Radhakunda, where the passionate divine
couple daily plays with Their passionate friends in the
charming lotus scented water, be my shelter."
(Raghunatha dasa Goswami)
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