Category: Holy dham

Nand Bhavan was the abode of Nanda Maharaja (Krishna’s father) in Nandgaon. Nandgaon is situated about 50 Kilometers from Mathura and takes about an hour to reach. Nand Bhavan is the most famous pilgrimage destination of Nandgaon and is visited by thousands of people each year. While residing in Gokul, demons like Putana, Trinavarta, and Satakasura tried to harm Krishna. Hence Nanda Maharaja and the cowherd community decided to shift elsewhere. After leaving Gokul Mahavan, Nanda maharaja and his cowherd community initially moved to the Chhatikara village. They subsequently moved to Kamyavan (Kaman), and other places before settling down at Nandgaon. Nanda Maharaja had built his palace on top of the Nandisvara hill, to protect little Krishna from the demons sent by Kansa. Nandisvara hill (meaning the Lord of Nandi) is believed to be a manifestation of Lord Shiva. Long ago, Shiva had performed severe penances desiring to witness the childhood pastimes of Krishna. Being pleased, Lord Krishna instructed him to manifest himself as a hill at Nandgaon. Accordingly, Shiva manifested himself as the Nandisvara hill and Lord Krishna performed His sweet pastimes upon this hill to fulfill the desires of His dear devotee. Krishna was six years and eight months old when He came to Nandgaon and lived here till he was ten years and seven months old, after which He left for Mathura.

Pavan Sarovar is a small lake situated to the north of Nandgaon. It had been constructed by Pavan Gopa, father of Vishakha (one of the eight principal Gopis of Vrindavan), and hence it is named so. Pavan sarovar lies adjacent to the highway that leads to Kamyavan (Kaman). It is believed that Krishna used to bring His cows here to drink water while returning them from grazing. Krishna used to bathe and enjoy water sports with His friends, here at Pavan Sarovar. The Gopis who would come to this lake on the pretext of fetching clear water, would often exchange glances and meet with their beloved Krishna. This is confirmed in Vraja-Vilasa-stava, wherein Srila Raghunath das Goswami writes –

‘Yavat’ or ‘Javat’ is a small village located to the north of the Nandisvara hills. It is about a 10 minutes drive from Nandgaon. Radha and Krishna have performed their innumerable confidential pastimes here at Yavat. This is where Radharani used to stay with her in-laws after her marriage. She used to live here with her husband Abhimanyu, mother-in-law Jatila, and sister-in-law Kutila. 

Ohe Srinivas ara ei ramya-sthan
Ei dekho yao-gram ‘yavat’ akhyan
Yavat gramete vilaser sthan yata
Se ati ascharya taha ke kahibe kata
(Bhakti Ratnakara)
–
O Srinivasa, behold this enchanting Yao village also known as ‘Yavat’. The innumerable pastime places of Yavat are wonderful and beyond one’s descriptive ability.

Radha was married to Abhimanyu on the advice of Paurnamasi devi (Yogmaya). It must be noted that Radha and Krishna are intrinsically one and cannot be separated. They are one who have manifested themselves into two, solely to enjoy their sweet pastimes. Hence, it was only to introduce Parakiya bhava (relationship outside marriage), that Radha got married to Abhimanyu. Relationship with Krishna in Parakiya bhava (love outside marriage) is far more spiritually advanced and intense than Svakiya bhava (love within the institution of marriage), as it requires overcoming countless obstacles to defend and nourish one’s love. However, it must be remembered that this ‘Parakiya rasa’ belongs to the spiritual world and should not be imitated in this material world. In other words, ‘Parakiya bhava’ can only be relished when Krishna is the center of the relationship.

Radha Kushal Bihari is a majestic temple situated at a distance of approximately 800 meters from Shriji temple Barsana. Sri Radha Kushal Bihari temple was established by King Madho Singh Rao of Jaipur. He and his wife were devoted to Radha and Krishna. Located atop the Brahmagiri Parvat in Barsana, the almond-colored facade of Radha Kushal Bihari temple rises gracefully amidst the thick vegetation of Gahvar Van (a forest where Radharani would relax along with her friends).

The King had named the temple after his queen Sri Kushal Kanwarji who he loved fondly. The local people generally refer to it as the ‘Jaipur temple’, since it was built by the King of Jaipur. All the rituals and other traditions are conducted in this temple by the devotees of the Nimbarka Sampradaya (one of the four bonafide Vaishnava Sampradayas). 

Mor kutir (Morkuti) or Mayura kutir is a beautiful temple situated atop a small hill in Barsana. The word ‘Mayura’ means peacock and this temple commemorates the enchanting pastime in which Krishna and Radharani danced as peacocks here at Barsana. Mor kutir is situated within the celebrated forest of Gahvar van that wraps the southeastern side of Brahmagiri Parvata. A beautiful painting depicting Krishna and Radharani dancing as ‘Mayura’ (peacock) is enshrined in this temple. This picture has been painted by an elderly blind Vaishnava who had envisioned this enchanting pastime and had been inspired to paint the same by Srimati Radharani. The elderly Vaishnava was performing his bhajana at this place when he received this transcendental vision, which again reinforces the exalted stature and importance of holy dhams.

Gahvar Van (Gahvarvana) is situated in Chiksauli grama, near Barsana. Chiksauli is famous for being the birthplace of Chitra Sakhi, one of the eight principal companions of Radharani. The word ‘Gahvar’ means caves that are found at the foot of the mountains. It is said that during Krishna’s time, the place was replete with caves. Gahvar van, marked with thick dense forests, is the place where Radharani would come with her companions when she wished to be alone. In the middle of Gahvar Van, we find a beautiful enclosed Pond well-known as ‘Krishna Kunda’. The pond is sometimes also referred to as ‘Gahvar Kunda’. Adjacent to this pond is a temple of Radha and Krishna. Krishna is lovingly worshiped here as ‘Gahvar van Bihari jiu’.

Chiksauli grama – purve ei Chitrasali
etha rai vichitra beshete daksha ali
Parvata gahvar-e dekho nivira kanana
ebe loke kahe ei Gahvar van
(Bhakti Ratnakara)
–
This village which was previously known as Chitrasali, is now called Chiksauli. Radharani used to expertly decorate herself in a beautiful way here. See the dense forests, by the mountain caves. It is rightly referred to as ‘Gahvar van’.