Radha Kund in Mathura is a town and nagar panchayat in Mathura district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is also one of the pilgrimage sites dedicated to the Hindu goddess Radha. Radha Kund is nestled amidst lush greenery and serene landscapes in the revered city of Mathura. Its spiritual vibrations and sacred ambience create a haven for seekers of inner peace and spiritual solace. The best time to visit Radha Kund is during October to March when the weather is pleasant and conducive to exploring the divine beauty of this spiritual oasis. We’ve come up with this blog just for you to know more about the place you’re about to visit
History of Radha Kund Mathura
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According to Hindu legend, Lord Krishna built a lake/kund at Goddess Radha’s request to wash away the sin of killing a bull (demon Aristasura), which became known as Shyam Kund in subsequent years. Goddess Radha, along with her sakhis (friends), constructed a lake known as Radha Kund. Lord Krishna sanctified the Radha Kund and declared that everyone who takes a plunge in it will be blessed with Radha Krishna Prem (everlasting love for Lord Krishna and Radharani). Radha Kund’s allure is centred on Radha and Krishna’s fabled love story. Hindu mythology celebrates the cosmic dance of love between these divine deities. Radha Kund is thought to be the sacred pond where they performed their immortal dance, leaving an indelible mark on history. Throughout the year, lakhs of devotees visit Radha Kund to wash away their sins and achieve the ultimate “Prema-Bhakti,” which is love for the one and only Lord Krishna.
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Things To Do At Radha Kund
Radha Kund is the epitome of the eternal love of Shri Krishna and Radharani, and devotees visit this place to pay homage to their sacred love. It is the only place where devotees take the holy dip at midnight or ‘ardh ratri snana’. This pilgrimage place allows devotees to indulge in various activities:
1. RadhaKund Parikrama
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Devotees often offer ‘Parikrama’ or circumambulate around the Radha Kund to pay obeisance to the Goddess Radharani. It is one of the most important rituals for followers of Gaudiya Vaishnavism or Chaitanya Vaishnavism, who consider Shrimati Radharani and Lord Krishna as ‘Swayam Bhagwan’ -supreme forms of God.
Ideal For: Solo, Family
Best Time To Visit: December to March in Day time and April to November nighttime
2. Govardhan Parikrama
Govardhan Parvat’ or ‘Giriraj’ is a hillock in the Braj region often regarded as the physical form of Lord Krishna. Govardhan Parikrama, which refers to going around the circumference of the Govardhan parvat/hill is considered very auspicious. The distance is approximately 21 km which is mostly covered on foot.
Ideal For: Solo, friends, family
Best Time To Visit: December to March
Suggested Read: Things To Do In Agra
3. Shyam Kund
Shyam Kund is one of the most sacred ponds rich in mythology linked to Radha – Krishna lilas. Devotees dip in the pond to plunge into Prem Bhakti – the ultimate form of unconditional love for their Lord!
Ideal For: Solo, friends, family
Best Time To Visit: October and March
Places To Visit Near Radha Kund
Standing on the sacred soil of Brajbhoomi is spiritually liberating in itself and being in the vicinity of Mathura and Vrindavan has its significance among the followers of Hinduism. There is a lot to explore around Radha Kund
1. Kusum Sarovar
Around 2 km from Radha Kund lies this sacred water reservoir with a historical monument in the backdrop. It is associated with the mythology woven around Goddess Radharani and Lord Krishna. The natural reservoir was restored and many structures were added by many of the great rulers of the region. You would be mesmerised by the beauty of the sandstone monument surrounding the pond, which was erected by King Jawahar Singh of Bharatpur in memory of his parents.
Location: Mathura, Uttarakhand
Things To Do: Parikrama, Take a dip, show respect and offer prayer
Suggested Read: Temples In Mathura
2. Radha Damodar Temple
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One can visit this ancient temple located in Vrindavan approximately 23 km from Radha Kund. Here Lord Krishna is worshipped in the form of ‘Damodar’ with his consort Radharani. It was established by “Madhav Gaudiya Sampradaya” in 1542 CE and is one of the seven Goswami temples in Vrindavan. It houses the ‘Giriraj Shila’ which is believed to have footprints of Lord Krishna himself.
Location: Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh
Things To Do: Offer prayer, seek blessings
3. Dwarkadheesh Temple
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Approximately 25 km from Radha Kund is located one of the oldest and largest temples of Mathura where Lord Krishna is worshipped as Dwarkadheesh or Dwarkanath (King of Dwarka) with Goddess Radha. The existing structure of the temple was built in 1814 by the treasurer of Gwalior state with approval from the Maharaja of Gwalior. This magnificent temple has been constructed in Rajasthani style and has large premises.
Location: Mathura, Uttar Pradesh
Things To Do: Spend some time at the temple ground, offer your prayer
Suggested Read: Things To Do In Mathura
4. Banke Bihari Temple
Banke Bihari Temple, located 25 km from Radha Kund is dedicated to Lord Krishna, here ‘Banke’ means bent at angles and ‘Bihari’ or ‘Vihari’ means enjoyer. Here Lord Krishna’s idol stands in Tribhanga posture and is believed to be the same idol received by Swami Haridas ji (1478-1573) from the Lord Himself after giving his disciple the ‘Divya Darshan”. One must visit this magnificent temple built in Rajasthani style to experience the unique aura around the majestic “Bihari ji” who is loved and cared for as a child.
Location: Vrindaban, Uttar Pradesh
Things To Do: Offer your prayer to the Banke Bihari God
5. Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple Complex
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Krishna Janmabhumi, previously known as Katra Keshavdev, has religious significance as early as the 3rd century BC. Krishna Janmabhoomi temple may have been constructed at the site as early as the 1st century but has been a target of multiple invasions. The present temple complex was rebuilt in 1982 after its destruction in 1670 by the Mughal emperor, Aurangzeb. This place is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna and is venerated among all the Vaishnavites.
Location: Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India
Things To Do: Visit the location, spend some time at the temple
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How To Reach Radha Kund
Here are some of the ways you can reach Radha Kund.
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By Air
Radha Kund’s nearest airport is the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, which is roughly 160 kilometres away. After arriving in Delhi, you can take a taxi or a bus to Mathura, which is well connected to Radha Kund via road.
By train
Mathura Junction is the main railway station closest to Radha Kund. It is well-connected to several cities in India, making it a convenient choice for vacationers. From Mathura Junction, you can take a taxi or a local bus to Radha Kund, which is approximately 27 kilometres distant.
By Road
Many tourists prefer to travel to Radha Kund by road. Mathura is well-connected to major cities and towns throughout India by a vast network of national highways. You can take a taxi or a local bus from Mathura to Radha Kund, which is only a short drive away.
Further Read: Places To Visit In Mathura
Now that you have a list of things to keep in mind for your next vacation to see the beautiful oasis of Radha Kund make sure you plan your trip to Mathura to these fabulous spots for the experience of a lifetime. Don’t miss out on these opportunities and book your tickets now!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Radha Kund In Mathura
What is the significance of Radha Kund?
Radha Kund is a sacred pond located in the holy city of Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India. According to Hindu mythology, it is believed to be the site where Lord Krishna and his beloved Radha used to spend time together. The pond is considered one of the most sacred places for devotees of Krishna and Radha.
How was Radha Kund formed?
Legend has it that when Lord Krishna was accused of stealing by the gopis (cowherd girls), he felt guilty and began to dig the earth with his flute. Radha, seeing Krishna's distress, used her bangles to dig the earth, and their combined efforts created the sacred pond known as Radha Kund.
What are the best times to visit Radha Kund?
Apart from Radha Kund, there are several other notable attractions nearby. These include Shyam Kund (another sacred pond), Radha Kund Temple, Radha Rani Temple, and the Radha Kund Ghat. The city of Mathura, known for its ancient temples and association with Lord Krishna, is also worth exploring.
How do I reach Radha Kund?
Radha Kund is located approximately 23 kilometres (14 miles) from Mathura. To reach Radha Kund, you can take a taxi or hire an auto-rickshaw from Mathura. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Mathura to Govardhan, and from there, you can hire a local taxi or auto-rickshaw to reach Radha Kund. The nearest railway station is Mathura Junction, and the nearest airport is Agra Airport, which is about 58 kilometres (36 miles) away.
What to do in Radha Kund?
While in Radha Kund, do not forget offer your prayer and do a parikrama around the kund. It is believed that Radha Kund blesses with prosperity to whomever does a parikrama around it.
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