Radha Kund, Govardhan, Uttar Pradesh India

Radha Kund and Shyama Kund, the two most spiritually surcharged Kunds (ponds), are located in a village called Arita about 3 miles north-east of Govardhan and fourteen miles from Mathura and Vrindavan.

Radha kund is the sacred lake in Govardhan where Krishna and Radha along with the gopis used to assemble and spent their time. The popular belief is that this Kund is the embodiment of Krishna’s love towards Radha.

This legendary lake holds the victorious tales of Lord Krishna, which tells how the lord killed the bull shaped demon Aritsa. After killing the demon the lord was told by Rdaha that he is impure and should take a dip in all the holy waters on earth. Then the lord called all the holy rivers over to Govardhan and they appeared before him to make a swayamkund. After bathing, Krishna avowed that he had cleansed of from his impurity and that the gopis had befallen unclean. Hearing this Radharani, and some of her friends, broke their bangles and plowed a fissure with the kaput pieces.

Radhanath Swami emphasizes the spiritual significance of these ponds, “Radha Kund is the holiest place in all of Brahma’s creation. Radha Kund and Shyama Kund represent the eyes of Govardhan, which is in the shape of a peacock. This is the place where Radha and Krishna performed their most intimate and most sweet pastimes.” Here is a brief description of the appearance of Radha Kunda and Shyam Kunda as spoken by Radhanath Swami: One of the demons by the name Arishta, sent by the evil Kamsa to kill Krishna and Balarama, assumed the form of a bull and attacked Krishna. But he was easily overpowered and was instead killed by the Lord. This pastime took place in the afternoon when Krishna and His cowherd friends were herding the cattle.