राधा कुंड एवं श्याम कुंड
Radha Kund & Shyam Kund
Two adjacent tanks near Govardhan, held to be the most sacred water in Braj, on the parikrama marg.
The two kunds sit side by side on the Govardhan parikrama marg. The story is that Krishna killed the demon Arishtasura in the form of a bull, and Radha asked him to purify himself by bathing in all the holy waters — so he struck the ground and called them here. Radha then made her own kund beside his.
For the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition this is the most sacred spot in Braj, more so than anywhere in Vrindavan. On Ahoi Ashtami in Kartik, thousands bathe here at midnight.
What we would tell you beforehand
- Bathing here is an act of devotion rather than a dip. If your family intends to bathe, come early and bring a change of clothes.
- The steps down to the water are steep and worn.
- It sits directly on the parikrama marg, so it costs nothing to include if you are doing Govardhan at all.