Glories of Kusuma-Sarovara

Well reading these days “Vrindavan Dhama Ki Jay” by Dhruva Maharaja Dasa and also watching videos of 2007 Vrindavan Parikrama with HH Lokhnath Swami, So thought of writing article so that devotees who cant visit daham can remotely relish pass times by reading and looking at beautiful pictures. I tried my level best to collate all possible details of Kusuma Sarovara only picture of Ashok-Lata temple is missing, next time when I will visit Vrindavan will certainly take a pic and post it on this article.

Kusuma Sarovara, a beautiful sandstone monument, is a 25-minute walk from Radha Kunda. It is said that Radharani along with some of Her gopi friends used to pick flowers (kusuma) here before going to Radha-Kunda to meet  Krsna. During Lord Caitanya’s time it was known as Sumanas Lake. It is stated in the Caitanya Caritamrita that Lord Caitanya took bath here. Kusuma Sarovara is 140m (460 ft) long and the platforms go out 20m (65 ft) into the water. It is said that this kunda is as deep as three (some say 14) celestial elephants standing on top of each other. It is also said that it is bottomless.
It is said that Asta Vakra Muni did austerities in Satya Yuga to get the darshan of Radha and Krishna, and that he left his body on the bank of Kusuma Sarovara. The small Siva linga temple on the western bank of the kunda marks the spot where he gave up his body. There is also a small murti of him next to the stairs that go up to the upper lever where the tombs are located. Next to Kusuma-sarovara stands a small temple with a deity of Uddhava, that was established by Krishna’s great-grandson about 4,900 years ago. There are deities of Surya-narayana and Uddhava in this temple. Uddhava is remaining here in the form of grass. He prayed, “The gopis of Vrindavan have given up the association of their husbands, sons and other family members, who are very difficult to give up, and they have forsaken the path of chastity to take shelter of the lotus fee of Mukunda, Krsna, which one should search for by Vedic Knowledge. Oh, let me be fortunate enough to be one of the bushes, creepers, or herbs in the Vrindavan, because the gopis trample them and bless them with the dust of their lotus feet” (Bhagvatam 10.47.61). Uddhava is the cousin of Lord Krishna. He is the son of Vasudeva’s brother and was almost the same age as Krishna.  It is said that Uddhava stays at three places, Badrinatha, Dwarka, and here at Kusuma Sarovara.

Also on the banks of Kusuma-sarovara is Ashoka-lata, a kunja(grove) where Krsna rendered service to Srimati Raharani by braiding her hair.  The Deities in this temple are Radha Banabihariji. The pastime of Krishna braiding Radha’s hair is described by Krishnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami in his Govinda Lilamrita. There is a picture of this pastime at Kusuma Sarovara. There is a small yellow temple, on the left of Kusuma Sarovara, next to the road, that marks the place where Krishna decorated Radharani’s hair. The pujari in this temple and his wife are very nice devotees and are friendly.

Directions: This kunda is about 2km from Radha Kunda. It is between Radha Kunda and the town of Govardhana. It is a large kunda with some impressive architecture, so it is very difficult to miss. Everyone knows where it is located.