Kusuma-sarovara
A Comprehensive Guide to Śrī Vṛndāvana Dhāma
Kusuma Sarovara, a beautiful sandstone monument, is a 25-minute walk from Radha Kunda. Kusuma means “flower,” and here the gopis would pick flowers for Krishna. Kusuma Sarovara is the best swimming spot in Braja. After you go to Radha Kunda you could spend a relaxing hour here. It is a peaceful place, which not many people visit.
During Lord Caitanya’s time this place was known as Sumanah Sarovara. It is stated in the Caitanya Caritamrita that Lord Caitanya took bath here. The ghatas at this kunda and the buildings above the kunda were built by Jawahir Singh, the king of Bharatpur around 1764, in honor of his father Raja Suraj Mall. Suraj Mall attacked the Mughal King of Delhi and was killed in the battle. His son Jawahir Singh then attacked Delhi and killed the Mughal king. On the upper level are three tombs. The main tomb of Raja Suraj Mall has beautiful paintings on its ceiling depicting the pastimes of Krishna and the lotus feet of Krishna engraved on the floor. There are also some paintings of Raja Suraj Mall in his court. The other tombs are those of his two queens, Kishori and Hansiya. There are beautiful paintings on the ceiling of these two tombs. There is also a Giriraja Temple 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.
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.
Ashoka-lata Temple
Ashoka-lata, a kunja (forest grove), is also on the bank of Kusuma Sarovara. This is where Krishna braided Srimati Radharani’s 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.