Uddhava-baitaka
A Comprehensive Guide to Śrī Vṛndāvana Dhāma
Near Kusuma Sarovara is a temple dedicated to 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 remains here in the form of grass. It is said that he remains at this particular place, because this is on the path that the gopis would take at 11 am to go from Varsana to Radha Kund, for their daily bath.
Krishna sent Uddhava to Vrindavana, with a message to the residents to pacify their deep feeling of separation. After delivering Krishna’s message to the gopis Uddhava realized their exalted position and he prayed, “The gopis of Vrindavana 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 feet of Mukunda, Krishna, which one should search for by Vedic knowledge. Oh, let me be fortunate enough to be one of the bushes, creepers, or herbs in Vrindavana, because the gopis trample them and bless them with the dust of their lotus feet.” (Srimad Bhagavatam 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. His bodily features resembled Krishna’s almost exactly. It is said that Uddhava stays at three places, Badrinatha, Dwarka, and here at Kusuma Sarovara.
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati visited the Uddhava temple, and he stated in his book Braja Mandal Parikrama that Uddhava narrated the Braja Mandal Mahima (“Glories of Braja”) at this place.
Directions:
This temple is next to Kusuma Sarovara. It has a good-sized wall around it. If you are standing on the road, it is in the left back corner of Kusuma Sarovara. The temple is in a courtyard surrounded by a high wall. What looks to be the main entrance is almost always locked. The entrance door is a normal sized door on your left as you approach the building.