Kamyavana Interior
A Comprehensive Guide to Śrī Vṛndāvana Dhāma
Kama means “desires.” The Adi Varaha Purana states that this is the forest where all the desires of the demigods and devotees are fulfilled. “In this Kamyavana, Krishna performed enchanting pastimes. Here you will be able to take darshana of many ponds and other transcendental spots. I cannot even describe in writing all the sacred tirthas found at Kamyavana.” (Bhakti-ratnakara, Fifth Wave)
This forest has a parikrama of 22 km (13 miles). The town here is called Kaman and it is a fairly good-sized town.
When the three original Deities of Vrindavana, Radha Madana-Mohana, Radha Govinda and Radha Gopinatha were taken from Vrindavana to Jaipur to avoid being destroyed by Aurangzeb, they stayed in Kamyavana for three nights. Since these Deities stayed here, three temples have been established here dedicated to Radha Govinda, Radha Madana-Mohana and Radha Gopinatha. Radha Gopinatha is worshiped in a house of a grihasta, north of the mound on which Chaurasi Khambha is on. There are 84 kunds here where Krishna would have pastimes with the cowherd boys.
Directions:The town of Kaman is 55km (33 miles) from Vrindavan. Kamyavana is on the western edge of Braja, 10km southwest of Nandagram and 23km from Dig. The town of Kaman is in Rajasthan. The best way to come here is by taxi, which takes about two hours from Vrindavana. The road is very bumpy the last 10km before the town of Kaman. As many of the places are far apart from each other (2 to 5km from each other), a taxi makes it possible to see the maximum amount of places.
Getting Around:
There are several temples in the town of Kaman. One of the most important temples is the Govindaji Temple, which has the deity of Vrinda Devi in it. To the east of town is Vimala Kunda. About half a km north of Vimala Kunda are Dharma Kunda and the important Kameswara Mahadeva Siva Temple. A little west of town is Chaurasi Khamba. About 2km southwest of town is Charan Pahari, where the footprints of Lord Krishna are enshrined. Northwest of the town of Kaman are Vyomasura’s cave and Bhojan Sthali. All these places can be visited in about five hours, if you move fast. Much of your time is spent driving to the next place.