Radha Kund is a village located in Govardhan. Spiritually, it is considered as the highest place in the entire creation and is non-different from Srimati Radharani, the pleasure potency of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Sri Krishna.
There are two kund's (lakes) here - Radha Kund and Shyam Kund.
For Gaudiya Vaishnavas and vrajavasis, Sri Radha Kund is the most important object of worship, love and devotion.
It is around 21 km from both Mathura Railway Station as well as Vrindavan.
Taking a dip at Sri Radha Kund assures one of vraja-prema-bhakti as mentioned in various scriptures, and especially in the book The Nectar of Instruction or Updesamrta (Last 3 verses) by Srila Rupa Goswami.
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| Also called | Radha Kund, Shyam Kund, Highest Place in Creation |
| Re-discovered by | Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (15th century) |
| Worshipped by | Vaishnavas |
| Form | The liquid form of Srimati Radharani |
| Country | India |
| State | Uttar Pradesh |
| District | Mathura |
| PIN | 281504 |
| Vehicle Registration | UP85 |
| Songs in Praise of Sri Radha Kund | Radha Kripa Kataksha (spoken by Lord Shiva to Mother Parvati) |
The Appearance Story of Radha Kund and Shyam Kund
Aristasura was sent by Kans to kill Krishna. Aristasura took the shape of a bull and got mixed amongst Krishna's cows, and began playing with Him. Krishna being the Supersoul knew that it was Aristasura and decided to deliver him from the cycle of birth and death.
When Krishna rode on him (bull form of Aristasura), he took Krishna away in a hope to kill Krishna.
The book 'Demystifying The Mystical Vrindavan' is the essence and crux of this entire website.
If you are considering to dive into the final goal of our Vedic Scriptures and spiritual life, and if Radharani inspires you, do get a copy of the book .
Krishna eventually killed him very simply without any effort, but Radharani and sakhis mentioned it to Krishna that He will get the sin of killing a bull, hence they joked with Him that He needs to take a dip at all holy rivers and confluences to get rid of the sin of killing a bull.
Krishna thumped the ground with his toe and created Shyam Kund. He asked all the rivers to come there and eventually took a dip in Shyam Kund. Then He mentioned to Radharani that He is now rid of the sins but Radharani is now carrying the sin of taking the side of a demon who came in the form of bull hence She needs to atone by bathing in all holy rivers.
Radharani and sakhis started creating a kund adjacent to Shyam Kund using their bangles. Bangles in Hindi means kanchan, and hence Radha Kund is also known as kanchan kund. So, once the kund was made, the sakhis began to bring water from Mansi Ganga nearby to fill up the kund. But whenever they were pouring pots of water, the water got soaked. Radharani had become sad as the kund was far from ready.
Krishna cannot see Srimati Radharani in distress hence He called all the personification of rivers and holy confluences including Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Godavari etc. to appear before Radharani and come in Her newly formed kund.
All the rivers appeared and sang glories of Sriji and requested Her to allow them to fill Her kund. Radharani happily agreed and She along with Her sakhis took a dip in it.
Krisha also jumped in the Radha Kund and declared that henceforth it would be His favourite place in the entire creation and anybody taking a dip in it will attain Radha Krishna Prema.
Radharani and Her sakhis then jumped in the Shyam Kund and declared that this would be Her favourite place in the entire creation.
History & Inner Secrets
Actual Appearance Day
The appearance of Sri Radha Kund is on Chaitya Purnima as described by Srila Jiva Goswami. That is the actual appearance day and not Bahulastami. Bahulastami (in Kartik) is the day most Gaudiya Vaishnavas consider to be the appearance day of Sri Radha Kund but it is rather the day when Chaitanya Mahaprabhu found Radha Kund 500 years ago. The actual appearance day is on Chaitya Purnima (falls around April every year). Mahanidhi Swami explains the actual appearance date of Sri Radha Kund beautifully here with all the references.
Taking Shelter of Radha Kund
Srila Rupa Goswami writes in The Nectar of Instruction that one should take shelter of Radha Kund. One who does bhajan here attains the same eternal vraja-swarup as they have contemplated during their bhajan here. Hence, it is important to take complete shelter of Radha Kund under a bonafide Rasika Devotee of Divine Couple.
Significance of taking a dip at Radha Kund
Taking a dip at Sri Radha Kund assures one of prema-bhakti. Radha Kund is liquid potency or liquid form of Srimati Radharani.
There are various devotees who tell not to take a dip here. In fact, Srila Prabhupada also mentioned to devotees not to take a dip here after he saw that they had begun to play in Radha Kund. The inner meaning is that until one understands the exalted position of Sri Radha Kund in spontaneous mood, bhav, or has the greed to attain prema-bhakti, one should not step in Sri Radha Kund. It is not ordinary kund and should be approached with full sincerity, surrender, and desperation to achieve vraj-prema-bhakti.
All spiritual prayers at Sri Radha Kund manifest quickly. It's just the sincerity that matters.
Afternoon asta-kaliya lila passtimes
In Govinda Lilamrta, Krishnadas Kaviraj Goswami Prabhupada writes about the asta-kaliya lila of Divine Couple. In the afternoon pastimes (10.48 AM - 3.36 PM) section here, the beautiful description of how Vrinda Devi takes Krishna away from Mansi Ganga (near Govardhana Hill) from His sakha friends and cows, and brings Him to Srimati Radharani and sakhis who are waiting at Radha Kund.
They sport jokes and hasya (laughter) lila before stealing Krishna's flute. Lalita Sakhi, Vishaka Sakhi, Tungavidya Sakhi, Rupa Manjari and all other sakhis steal the flute of Krishna, and how Krishna reclaims His flute back is an object of relishing meditation for devotees. The book also describes Radha Kund's beauty and eternal description.
Aindra Prabhu says that one who really wants to go back to Goloka Vrindavan and develop prema-bhakti must read the asta-kaliya-lilas of Divine Couple. He says that asta-kaliya-lila is our property and not of sahijayas (who artificially imitate bhav in spite of being conditioned materially).
One should meditate on Vrindavan lilas of Divine Couple internally without speaking to anybody and its complete form sprouts in the heart of devotee by causeless mercy (kripa) of Rasika Vaishnavas, Guru, Nityananda Prabhu and Mahaprabhu.
Weather
- The weather at Radha Kund is extreme, both in summer as well as winter.
- In summers, the temperature can soar to 45-50℃ and in winters, it can drop to 3-5℃.
- Check the detailed temperature in Vraj Bhumi and Vrindavan area.
How to reach Radha Kund?
From Mathura Station: Regular autos are available from Mathura Railway Station for Govardhan (Sharing will cost 20 rupees and entire auto booking around 150 rupees). From Govardhan, take an e-rickshaw to Radha Kund (Will charge 10 rupees per passenger).
From Vrindavan: Regular autos are available from any point on Bhaktivedanta Swami Marg. They will charge 30 rupees per passenger for sharing or 150-250 rupees if you book the entire auto. The travel time is around 30 minutes. You can also book cabs from local tour operators. If you are coming via own car, just follow Google Maps (You just have to take a turn 100m ahead in direction of New Delhi from Chatikara).
Important spots at Radha Kund
- Radha Kund
- Shyam Kund
- Radha Govind Dev Ji Mandir
- Radha Damodar Mandir
- Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur Prabhupada House
- Mahaprabhu Baithak
- Nityananda Prabhu Baithak
- Srila Ragunath Das Goswamipada Samadhi
- Srila Krishnadas Kaviraj Goswamipada Samadhi
- Srila Gopal Bhatt Goswamipada Bhajan Kutir
- Srila Viswanath Chakravarti Thakur Prabhupada Bhajan Kutir
- Srila Jiva Goswamipada Bhajan Kutir
- Jahnva Maiya Baithak
- Lalita Sakhi Kund
Food
There are a lot of local food shops that sell nice snacks and sweets here. They cook with a lot of love and bhav (especially the Samosa Shop which is on the road near Ragunath Goswami Samadhi where there are a lot of bead bags and Tulsi Mala shops).
Govardhan Parikrama
Sri Govardhan Ji resembles the shape of a peacock from the top, and Sri Radha Kund and Shyam Kund are considered as the two eyes of Govardhan Parvat (Hill).
Devotees who do Govardhan Parikrama also walk through these two eternal kund's as well. Make sure to take achaman (water drops) and pray for vraja-prema-bhakti at Sri Radha Kund whenever you are doing Govardhana Parikrama next time.
Radhakund Parikrama
A lot of devotees can also be seen doing Radha Kund Parikrama, with some of them doing Dandwat Parikrama as well. It was here that Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur mentioned that the difference between others and Gaudiya Vaishnav is that we worship Srimati Radharani as an object of worship primarily rather than Krishna. He in fact mentions that if we have any connection to Krishna, then it is primarily because of Srimati Radharani.
Safety Instructions
Apart from basic safety tips in Vrindavan Tour, there are a few more you need to consider to avoid any hassles at Sri Radha Kund.
- Monkeys can disturb you if you act scared or are carrying any food items. Don't look at them eye to eye and walk confidently. They can sometimes pass close to the body without disturbing you. Do not get scared.
- There would be little children asking for money. You can give them 5 or 10 rupees if Sriji inspires you. These little vrajvasi children just have samosa or toffee using this money. However, if there are a lot of children that have gathered, just sit quietly even if they keep on insisting and poking. Serving vrajavasis is very nice and if Srimati Radharani has given you have the financial capacity, offer some laxmi (money) to widows there as well.
- There would be local pandits asking you to perform puja here. They are Radha Kund vasis, you should donate if Sriji inspires you from within. Vrajvasis are dear to Lord, however, if you have gone there just for bhajan, just don't speak to them and fold your palms and continue with your chanting. They will go ahead without disturbing you. If you go with family, do a small puja as they are vrajvasis and ask them for blessings to approach vraja-prema-bhakti. Their blessings work a lot in helping advance spiritually.