Radha Kund & Shyam Kund

Radha Kund and Shyam kund are two pious ponds situated in a village named Arita near Govardhan hill. 3 miles away in the northeast of Govardhan hill these two kunds are considered as the most sacred place for the Vaishnavas. Believed to be eyes of Govardhan hill, this place has witnessed many sweet pastimes of Lord Krishna and Radha. Braj is associated to Lord Krishna’s leela and every place in the Braj has its own significance and attachment with Lord Krishna, these kunds are one such place and is associated to Krishna in a very special way. It holds a very special place in Krishna devotee’s heart.

According to the legends, Krishna was to kill his uncles Kans in lieu of all the sins done by the latter in Mathura. To keep himself safe, Kans used to send demons to kill Krishna. One such demon was Arishta who came in the disguise of a bull and was killed by Lord Krishna and Balaram who easily overpowered the evil and saved his friends from this demon. When Krishna after killing this dangerous demon went to meet Radha rani she jokingly refused to play with him and asked him to take bath in every holy place and then touch her pure body. Lord Krishna then created a kunda by striking his heel on the ground and summoned all the holy places to enter the Kunda in the form of water. Krishna then bathed in it and teased Radha rani that he is perfect in creating such pond. Radha Rani also wanted to dig a pond for her and did it with her bracelet. When not even a single drop of water was manifested in the kunda Shri Krishna signaled all the holy places to again enter in Shri Radha Rani’s Kunda in the water form. Thus both Radha Kund & Shyam Kund consists of the most sacred water of the world and are in their purest form even today. Lord Krishna even promised Radha rani that he will take bathe in Radha kunda Govardhan every day and this kund will always hold a special place in his heart. Pilgrims from across the world come to take pious dip in these kunds to relieve themselves from all the bodily sins. As prime centers of salvation and spirituality, Radha Kund-Shyam Kund hold a special place in the hearts of devotees visiting the Braj region.

Devotees take holy bath (snan) in Radha Kund especially on Bahulashtami at midnight, perform parikrama around both kunds, offer deepdaan (floating lamps), and meditate on Gaudiya Vaishnava teachings.

Ancient stone-paved ghats with surrounding red sandstone chhatris, heritage temples, and quiet ashram hermitages encircling the twin holy lakes.