VRINDAVANA DIARY

On the March 5th at 2:30 am all the devotees assembled in front of the Tirupati temple to continue our tour. With a mini-bus and four cars we drove from Tirupati to the Chennai airport to fly to New Delhi. Gurudeva did not come with us because his flight was directly from Tirupati to New Delhi. When we arrived in New Delhi we drove with five cars to Vrindavana. A couple of time the drivers stopped for lunch or to buy some water so the devotees used this opportunity to distribute books and have ecstatic kirtans. Even though we all were happy to go to Vrindavana, it was sad to travel without Gurudeva because we all got used to see him every day. After three hours we finally arrived in Vrindavana. Immediately when we got out of the cars we had an ecstatic kirtan in front of the beautiful Krishna Balarama Temple and it felt great to finally be in Vrindavana. Even though we all were exhausted from the driving, after putting our bags into our rooms, we went for darsan with the Deities. Sri Sri Radha Syamasundara, Sri Sri Krishna Balarama and Sri Sri Gaura Nitai are so beautiful that we forgot all the austerities. After the darsan we had prasadam in one restaurant and went to bed.
Gurudeva arrived later that night in Vrindavana.

(March 6th)
This morning all the devotees went for Mangala arotik. The temple is beautiful and beside the amazing Deities there is also a beautiful Samadhi of Srila Prabhupada. While standing in front of the Samadhi with devotees from all over the world, one starts to appreciate even more everything what Srila Prabhupada gave us. Only by his mercy we got the opportunity to be in Vrindavana and remember the most intimate pastimes of Krishna.

After Mangala arotik the devotees assembled in front of the temple gate to go on parikrama. We were all very happy that Gurudeva came also with us. Even though he was very tired he came with us to show us all the important temples in Vrindavana. Of course Vrindavana has so many places that should be seen but it would take weeks to see them, so Gurudeva showed us the seven main temples.
We drove with rikshas through Vrindavana and stopped in front of the temples.
The first thing Gurudeva showed us was Imlital. Imlital is the tree where Lord Chaitanya chanted when He was in Vrindavana. After that we saw the seven main temples: Radha Madhava temple established by Srila Sanatana Goswami; Radha Raman temple established by Srila Gopal Battha Goswami; Radha Syamasundara temple established by Shyamananda Prabhu; Radha Gokulananda established by Srila Narottama dasa Thakura; Radha Damodara temple established by Srila Jiva Goswami; Radha Gopinatha temple established by Madu Pandit and Radha Govinda temple established by Srila Rupa Goswami. But most of the Deities in these temples are replica Deities. The original Deities were brought out of Vrindavana so that the Muslims could not destroy Them.

Gurudeva showed us also Dwadasa ditya. This is the place where Krishna came to dry after He jumped on the snake Kaliya. Dwadasa ditya is also known as the temple of the twelve suns because when Krishna came there, the sun became twelve times hotter to dry Krishna. It was amazing seeing all these beautiful temples and Deities and Gurudeva kindly explained us all the important facts we should know.
At about 2 o’clock in the afternoon we came back to the Krishna Balarama Mandira and we had delicious lunch in then prasadam hall. There are so many devotees from all over the world and it is wonderful to see that we all assembled in the Holy Dhama to serve Krishna and Srila Prabhupada.

In the evening we had an amazing program at the place where Gurudeva stayed. While Gurudeva was playing his guitar and singing, the devotees were dancing ecstatically in the courtyard of the house. Gurudeva sang ‘Nitai Gaura Radhe Syama’, the Hanuman song and many other songs, and the devotees were dancing by using the appropriate mudras. We had so much fun and everyone was laughing, dancing and singing. After having a very good time, we all went to our rooms and went to bed.

(March 7th)
After Mangala arotik we assembled in front of the temple and with a rented bus drove to Govardhana Hill. When we arrived, we met Mayapur, Champaka and little Padma- a very nice American family that lives at Govardhana for two years. Mayapur and Champaka were our guides on the Govardhana parikrama. Gurudeva planned to do half of the Govardhana parikrama today and half of it tomorrow so that we don’t just walk around Govardhana but also see the important kundas and temples.

First we went to see Manasi-ganga. Manasi-ganga is the largest of all sacred kundas found in the Vraja area. It is said that one who baths in the river Ganges is purified of all his sins, but one who bathes in Manasi-ganga is not only purified of his sins but will also achieve prema-bhakti, the highest platform of loving devotion to Sri Krishna. Manasi-ganga is also considered to be the beautiful neck of Giri-Govardhana and we could actually see Govardhana in the middle of the kunda. Of course we didn’t take a bath in the Manasi-ganga but we sprinkled a few drops on our heads which is considered to be non-different from bathing in the sacred kunda. We saw many different and interesting places during our Govardhana parikrama, such as: Brahma-kunda, the kunda which was created by Lord Brahma while He was bathing Krishna; Harideva Mandira, where the Deity of Lord Harideva represents Krishna in the most beautiful Deity form of a seven-year-old boy holding Govardhana in His left hand and His transcendental flute in the other hand; Dana Ghati, the spot on the top of the Govardhana Hill where Krishna used to perform His tax (dana) pastimes with Radharani and the gopis; the Iskcon temple or Bhaktivedanta Swami Asrama, which is considered to be the Iskcon palace at Govardhana. In the temple property is the Puspa Samadhi of Srila Tamal Krishna Goswami and his personal Deities are in the temple. It was a very intense experience for many devotees who are Tamal Krishna Goswami’s disciples to see his Samadhi and his personal Deities. We also went to the temple of Balarama (Dauji) where we saw the 5000-year-old Deity of Dauji. The Deity is about five feet tall and next to the Deity of Balarama is a small Deity of His younger brother Krishna. We also saw Govinda-kunda, which was created when King Indra performed the bathing ceremony of Lord Krishna.

After some time we got to the tail-end of Govardhana Hill. The monkeys there were very enthusiastic to steel our food but Gurudeva told us before not to take out any food. Near the tail-end of Govardhana we saw Apsara-kunda and Navala-kunda. Once when Radharani and Krishna were enjoying the rasa dance on the banks of these kundas, They became so much absorbed in ecstasy that Radharani and the gopis melted into the Apsara-kunda and Krishna melted into Navala-kunda, so these two kundas are considered to be non-different from Radha and Krishna. We also saw the Narasimha Mandira and the beautiful Deity of Lord Narasimhadeva.

After we passed the tail-end of Govardhana we walked for some time and came to a beautiful place where we could see Govardhana very near. Gurudeva told us to carefully go close to Govardhana and with the shilas that are on the ground we made houses. Gurudeva explained us that while building a house at Govardhana with the shilas, we are actually building our own house in Goloka. So while the devotees were building their small houses, on the top of Govardhana a beautiful blue-cow came. This was an amazing experience to see a blue-cow because they usually hide from people and we had good luck.
After all the devotees made their houses, we continued our parikrama. Next we saw the spot where Indra fell down and offered obeisance to Lord Krishna and next to it were the foot-prints of Airvata, the white elephant which carries Indra. Before finishing half of our parikrama, we went to the Dandavata Sila, and it is said that by circumambulating this Govardhana-sila seven times and offering full dandavata one will become relieved of all offenses that may have been inadvertently committed while doing Govardhana parikrama.
While we stopped to see all these amazing places, Mayapur told us stories of Krishna’s pastimes that are the actual reason for having all these sacred kundas, temples, Deities etc.
After we did half of the parikrama, we all went to the house of Mayapur and there his wife Champaka prepared a delicious feast for all of us. We were all tired and hungry but after we ate this delicious prasadam, very soon everyone was happy and satisfied again. Gurudeva was very satisfied with Mayapur and Champaka because they really did their best to help us.
After we finished we drove back with the bus to Vrindavana and the rest of the day the devotees used to rest, and some of the very enthusiastic ones went for shopping.

(March 8th)
We assembled after Mangala arotik and drove to Govardhana Hill to finish the other half of our parikrama. After meeting with Mayapur and Champaka, we first saw a temple of Shiva that contains the Deity (linga) of Cakalesvara Mahadeva, which is considered to be the protector of the holy Dhama. We saw many interesting places such as: Sanatana Goswami’s Bhajana Kutira; the Udhava-kunda, which is very famous because once Udhava wanted that the gopis put their feet on his head, but when the gopis refused that, Udhava had the desire to become grass because in that way he could take the dust of the gopis feet and the gopis would not feel uncomfortable.

Gurudeva explained to us that the grass around this kunda is considered to be non-different from Udhava. After that we went to a temple, which had a big Deity of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, and to the Sri Radha Kunjabihari Mandira, which was established by Srila Bhaktisiddhartha Saraswati and there we saw the Samadhi of Srila Gaurakishor dasa Babbage and Srila Bhaktisiddhartha Saraswati Goswami. We took prasadam in the Gopal temple, which is famous because it was built by a king who had a dream in which Gopal appeared and told him to build a temple for that faces Radha-kunda. It was great that we could be in this special temple.

After we had breakfast and took rest in the temple, we continued our parikrama and finally arrived at Radha-kunda and Shyam-kunda. Having the opportunity to see the probably most famous kundas in Iskcon was amazing. Radha-kunda is the personal bathing place of Srimati Radharani and it is reverted as the holiest of all holy places in the universe and considered as the liquid form (prema svarupa) of Srimati Radharani so it is non-different from Her. Srila Rupa Goswami once said that anyone who serves Radha-kunda will get the opportunity to become an assistant of Srimati Radharani under the guidance of the gopis. Radha-kunda and Syama-kunda are very beautiful and one feels very peaceful while looking at the kundas.

Gurudeva explained us the reason why one should not bath in Radha and Syama-kunda. He told us that Srila Prabhupada once said that one should never touch Radharani or Krishna with his feet and that Radha-kunda and Syama-kunda are non-different from Srimati Radharani and Krishna. So Srila Prabhupada told that the devotees should only sprinkle three drops of water on their heads as it was as good as bathing but at the same time showing respect to Radha-kunda and Syama-kunda. So by following the instructions of our dear Srila Prabhupada, we just sprinkled few drops of water on our head. Some of the devotees poured little bit of the two kundas in their bottles and took the bottles with them.
Gurudeva also told us that in the spiritual world, Radha-kunda and Syama-kunda are formed by the tears of Radharani and Krishna because of Their feeling of separation from each other. The tears from Krishna represents Syama-kunda and anyone who baths in Syama-kunda will get the love that Krishna feels for Radharani. The tears from Radharani represents Radha-kunda and anyone who baths in Radha-kunda will get the love that Radharani feels for Krishna.
Seeing these two famous kundas was the best part of the parikrama and it was worth every step.
While we continued our parikrama, we saw many different temples and kundas, and Mayapur and Champaka told us amazing stories from Krishna’s pastimes for every place we visited.
After about 5-6 hours we finished our parikrama and went back to the bus.
It was a wonderful experience doing Govardhana parikrama. Govardhana is so attractive and beautiful that it is worth to come to India and just to the parikrama. The shilas have a beautiful dark brown and blue color and during the parikrama the one could actually feel the presence of the high spiritual energy.
When we came back to Vrindavana, the devotees and Gurudeva went to their rooms to rest and enjoy the rest of the sunny day.

(March 9th)
After Mangala arotik the devotees assembled in front of the temple to go on another amazing parikrama. But today Gurudeva did not come with us because he had a lot of work to do, but we had a lot of experienced devotees who went before to all the sacred places in Vraj.

Our next destination was Varshana, the place of Srimati Radharani. We walked on a parikrama path that leads around Varshana and in that way we could see the most important places.
After half an hour we arrived at the Mana Mandira. Mana means the bhava that prevents the nayaka and nayika from meeting freely, although they are together and attracted to each other. This Mandira is very important and special because inside is Radharani’s cave. Radharani used to come to this cave to display Her anger, pride and jealousy. We all went also into the cave and it was an amazing experience. When we went out of the cave, we sat in front of the Mandira and sang for Srimati Radharani and Mayapur and Champaka told us wonderful stories about Krishna and how Radharani gets angry with Him. We had a really good time while telling all these intimate pastimes of Radha and Krishna and being at these places at the same time has made the pastimes even sweeter.
After that we went to Jhulan, the place where Radha and Krishna used to swing. It was wonderful and we took the opportunity to make a group photo in front of Jhulan. We also went to the Sriji Mandira, which is the main temple in Varshana (Sri = Radharani). The temple is nig and beautiful and there are wonderful Deities of Sri Sri Radha and Krishna. There are also beautiful paintings of Krishna’s intimate pastimes on the walls. After that we also went to see the house of Vrsabhanu and after some time we went back to our bus and continued our parikrama.
Next we went to Nandagram, the house of Nanda Maharaja. There were big Deities of Nanda Maharaja, Yasoda Mayi, Krishna and Balarama and Radharani. From the top there is a wonderful view over of the village where people live very simple in small houses. After Nandagram, we went to see Vrinda-kunda. Vrinda-kunda is very beautiful and it is so peaceful there that one has the desire just to come to the kunda to rest. There is a small Iskcon temple and a beautiful Deity of Vrinda devi. We all sat in front of the Deity and sang for Vrinda devi. It was very nice and the kunda is surrounded by beautiful flowers and there are turtles swimming in the kunda. After we spent some time at Vrinda-kunda, we drove back to Vrindavana and used the rest of the day for shopping, associating with devotees etc.
Even though we were sad that Gurudeva did not come with us, we had a good time because after traveling together for three weeks, we really got to know each other and everyone felt very comfortable.

(March 10th)
After Mangala arotik we assembled and drove with the bus to Gokul. When we arrived there, we first went to the Yamuna to the place where Krishna revealed the universe to His mother while she was looking into His mouth. Yasoda wanted to see if Krishna had eaten dirt, so she opened His mouth and she saw the whole universe. While we were telling this pastime of Krishna, a little monkey jumped on one lady and soon the monkey took our attention. The sacred river Yamuna is wonderful and we saw a lot of peacocks at the river.

After that we went to the place where the Damodara lila happened. It was amazing, because we could see the place where Mother Yasoda tided little Damodara. After we circumambulated that place, Padma told us the pastime of little Damodara. After that the local people that live at that place gave us butter milk. It was really nice drinking butter milk and remembering Krishna’s pastime.
After that we went to Mathura. Before entering Mathura we had to pass the security check and because we were told that the security takes all the electronics from the visitors, we decided not to bring any photo camera this day. The reason why the security check is so important is that the temple of Mathura was renovated about four times, over and over again, because right behind the temple is a huge Mosque and the Muslims have attacked Mathura several times and ruined the temple. So there are many solders with guns and they control everything.
Before entering the temple we saw the prison where Kamsa held his sister Devaki and her husband (Krishna’s mother and father). In there we could see the exact place where Krishna was born. This was amazing. After that we went to the temple and took darsan with the big Deities of Radha and Krishna and after sometime we went back to Vrindavan.
When we arrived in Vrindavana, Mayapur and Champaka took us to a cow farm near the Krishna Balarama Mandira. The farm is called ‘Care for cows’ and this is also an organization which helps the cows in Vraj that are on the street with no food or are ill. The farm has a lot of cows and most of them have a really bad background. The devotees used the time at the farm to brush the cows and give donations. It is wonderful to see that devotees take care for cows and that they give their best to help them and save them. After the farm, we went back to our rooms and the devotees had the whole afternoon for doing things they like.

Gurudeva was not with us today, but we had a good time and the devotees were enjoyed the day.
In the evening there was a boat festival in the Krishna Balarama temple. One part of the temple was filled with water and a beautiful flower decoration was floating in the water. This is the festival where the devotees take the Deities and put Them on a boat and then pull the boat with the Deities on the water. The whole temple was decorated with flower garlands and there were many people. The boat that carried the Deities was beautifully decorated with different flowers and the pujaris were worshiping the Deities on the boat. And then finally five devotees pulled the boat with the Deities on the water. The people were so happy to see this and all the time they were throwing flowers on the boat. Our dear Gurudeva was also pulling the boat. Gurudeva and the others were standing in the water for more than one hour. The festival was amazing and a lot of prasadam was distributed. The kirtans were so ecstatic that only few people were sitting. Everyone had a really good time.

(March 11th)
After Mangala arotik we assembled in front of the temple to make Vrindavana parikrama. The devotees were very happy because Gurudeva came with us. For 2-3 hours we walked around Vrindavana. This was a very nice experience because while walking through Vrindavana we remembered Krishna’s pastimes. It feels amazing to walk through the streets where actually Krishna was walking. We had a really good time with Gurudeva and we came back at 8:30, so the devotees had the whole day free.

(March 12th)
After a beautiful Mangala arotik, Gurudeva gave a class in the Krishna Balarama Mandira. Since today is the appearance day Srivasa, Gurudeva talked about Srivasas life and the amazing pastimes with Lord Chaitanya. In the evening, at 5 o’clock, a Lady from Fiji that was on the tour with us, made a delicious feast and invited all the devotees that were on the tour to her house for prasadam. We had a really good time. The devotees were happy and Gurudeva also.

This was our last day in Vrindavana together, because Gurudeva and most of the devotees are leaving tomorrow. One month passed so quickly and the devotees were very sad that the tour finished. We all had such a good time. First we were in Mayapur, then we were traveling for two weeks through South India and now we are in Vrindavana. By the mercy of Srila Prabhupada and Gurudeva we saw so many beautiful temples, Deities and sacred places. We met wonderful people and we always had enough time to see all the sacred places, to take rest and to use our free time for shopping or associating with each other, and Gurudeva was kindly taking care for each one of us. We all agreed that one of the best decisions we made was to join this South Indian tour and to serve Gurudeva. The best thing was that we got to know each other very well and we became a real family. With deep and wonderful impressions in our hearts we said good bye to each other, but no one will forget this wonderful tour with our dear Gurudeva. The South Indian tour was more than just following the foot-steps of Lord Chaitanya. It actually brought devotees from all over the world together to remember and reawaken Krishna’s pastimes and to serve our Srila Gurudeva. All the devotees are very thankful to Gurudeva for having patience and for giving us the opportunity to follow the foot-steps of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. 

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