“Of the many objects of favored delight and of all the lovable damsels of Vraja, Srimati Radharani is certainly the most cherished object of Krishna’s love. And, in every respect, Her divine Kunda is described by great sages as equally dear to Him. Indeed, Radha-kunda is rarely attained even by the great devotees; therefore, it is even more difficult for ordinary devotees to achieve. If one simply bathes once in these sacred waters, pure love for Krishna is awakened within the heart.”
— The Nectar of Instruction, Verse 11
Sri Radha-kunda manifested on the eighth day of the waning moon in the month of Kartik. This sacred day is observed by bathing in the holy waters at midnight — the very time when Radha-kunda appeared. On this night, thousands of devotees gather on the banks of Radha-kunda in Vrindavan to celebrate. They offer not only gifts like water, milk, fruits, sweets, garlands, lamps, and donations, but also their minds, bodies, and souls in loving devotion. United in prayer, they glorify Sri Radha-kunda, who is non-different from Srimati Radhika Herself.
In his purport to Srimad Bhagavatam (10.36.16), Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura beautifully describes the divine pastime of the appearance of Radha-kunda.
The appearance of Radha-kunda is also known as Bahulastami, named after the sacred pastime of the cow Bahula who took shelter of Lord Krishna. Near Krishna-kunda in Vrindavan, one can see the deities of a cow and her calf, a brahmana, a tiger, and Lord Krishna — commemorating this beautiful story.
Once, while the cow Bahula was peacefully grazing, a tiger suddenly attacked her. Bahula humbly requested the tiger to allow her to return to her calf, feed it, and bid farewell before surrendering herself. Moved by her sincerity, the tiger agreed. Bahula went to her master, a brahmana, and her calf, explaining what had happened. Out of compassion, both the brahmana and the calf offered to go in her place as the tiger’s meal. Despite their pleas, Bahula refused, but ultimately, all three — the cow, calf, and brahmana — went together to the tiger, ready to sacrifice themselves.
As the tiger pondered which to eat first, Lord Krishna, the protector of Dharma and all the residents of Vraja, appeared before them, holding His chakra. He blessed the tiger, assuring him of eternal fame if he spared the innocent cow and her kin. The tiger released Bahula, and all were overjoyed by Krishna’s merciful intervention.
Pleased with Bahula’s truthfulness and purity, Krishna named that forest Bahulavan and blessed her to become His consort. In her next life, Bahula indeed became one of Krishna’s wives. Thus, this sacred day came to be known as Bahulastami.
Bahulavan is considered by many Vaisnavas to be the most sacred of all forests, for within it lies the holiest place — Sri Radha-kunda. Srila Rupa Goswami, in Sri Upadesamrta, confirms the supreme position of Radha-kunda with the following verse:
“The holy place known as Mathura is spiritually superior to Vaikuntha because the Lord appeared there. Superior to Mathura is the transcendental forest of Vrindavan, the site of Krishna’s rasa-lila pastimes. Higher still is Govardhana Hill, raised by Krishna’s divine hand and witness to His loving exchanges. Yet, above all, the super-excellent Sri Radha-kunda stands supreme, overflowing with the ambrosial nectar of Sri Krishna’s prema.”
In Sri Navadvipa-dhama, Sri Radha-kunda has manifested Herself in two locations — on the islands of Rtudvipa and Antardvipa.
In Navadvipa-bhava-taranga, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura describes Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s mood as He visited Rtudvipa:
ritudvipam tato gatva
drishtva sobham vanasya ca
radha-kundadikam smritva
ruroda saci-nandanah
“Upon arriving in Rtudvipa and seeing the beauty of the forest, Saci-nandana (Sri Chaitanya) began to cry, remembering Radha-kunda and other sacred places.”
In Antardvipa, within the home of Chandrasekhar Acharya, Mahaprabhu’s maternal uncle, stands Sri Chaitanya Math — the headquarters of the Gaudiya Math established by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. Following his guidance, disciples brought sacred waters from Radha-kunda and Syama-kunda, Giriraja silas from Govardhana Hill, and Tamala and Keli Kadamba trees from Vrindavan. Through his deep meditation and devotion, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura perceived these sacred places as being fully manifested within the Math.
All glories to the divine appearance of Sri Radha-kunda — the holiest of all holy places!
References:
Sri Upadesamrta, Srimad Bhagavatam 10.36.16 (purport), Navadvipa-dhama-mahatmya (Pramana-khanda 4.44), Nava Vraja Mahimamrta, Vol. 2 by Sivarama Swami, and Vedabase.
Recently, in Śrīdhāma Mayapur joyfully we celebrated the auspicious festival of Śrī Rāmacandra Vijayotsava — commemorating Lord Rāmacandra’s glorious victory over Rāvaṇa, symbolizing the eternal triumph of dharma over adharma, and light over darkness.
As part of the celebration, the Mayapur community children presented a heart-touching drama depicting the divine pastimes of Lord Rāmacandra. With adorable costumes and sweet devotion, they beautifully enacted scenes from the Rāmāyaṇa — from Lord Rāma’s battle with Rāvaṇa, to the moment Lakṣmaṇa was struck by Indrajit’s weapon, and how Hanumān heroically flew to the Gandhamādana mountain to bring the Sañjīvanī herb, reviving him.
The performance, held in the Mayapur Theater near Śrīla Prabhupāda’s Samādhi, was live-streamed on Mayapur TV, allowing devotees across the world to relish the sweetness of this offering. The children’s innocent expressions and heartfelt devotion reminded everyone of the timeless beauty of Lord Rāma’s story and His divine qualities of compassion, righteousness, and unwavering love.
Adding to the festive joy, there was a beautiful procession within the Mayapur campus, where the deities of Lord Rāmacandra, Lakṣmaṇa, Sītā, and Hanumān were taken on parikrama amidst Harinām saṅkīrtana, melodious chanting, and joyful glorifications. The air was filled with the holy names and the sound of kartāls and mṛdaṅgas as devotees danced in bliss.
This annual ritual is a cherished tradition in Mayapur, where, on each Appearance Day, the deities are lovingly taken around the campus — a sight that fills every heart with devotion and joy. This year’s Rāmacandra Vijayotsava was no exception — a truly uplifting and blissful day, uniting everyone in the spirit of love, service, and remembrance of Lord Rāma’s divine victory.
May Lord Rāmacandra bless us all with strength, virtue, and devotion to always walk on the path of dharma.
Step into the sacred land of Mahaprabhu’s Sannyas
Akai Hata – Kala Krishna Das Samadhi
Nupur Kund – Raghunandan Das Thakur Lila Sthan
Madhai Tala – Jagadananda & Madhavananda (Jagai-Madhai) Bhajan Kutir
Jajigram – Sripat of Srinivas Acharya, Narottam Das Thakur & Ram Chandra Kaviraj
Breakfast and lunch prasad.
15th October 2025 – Saints’ Abodes
Receive the mercy of great Vaishnava acharyas
Shantipur – Advaita Acharya Residence
Phulia – Haridas Thakur Bhajan Kutir
Birnagar – Bhaktivinod Thakur Birthplace
Breakfast and lunch prasad.
17th October 2025 – Ekachakra Yatra
DAY 1
Pastimes of Lord Nityananda Prabhu
Bargacchi – Nitai Vivaha Adivas Sthan
Balasa – Miniketan Ramdas Sripat
Ekachakra – Night Stay
Day 2
Mangaldighi – Panuya Gopala Sripat
Jalundi – Dhananjay Pandit Sripat
2 Breakfast, 2lunch, dinner prasad and accommodation
19th October 2025 – Kulai Tour
Discover the birthplace of the three Ghosh brothers
Madhava Ghosh, Vasudeva Ghosh & Govinda Ghosh
Kesava Bharati residence & Sonarundi Palace
Uddharana Thakur’s worshippable Gaura-Nitai deities
CC Ādi 11.18-19
“Śrī Mādhava Ghoṣa was a principal performer of kīrtana. While he sang, Nityānanda Prabhu danced. When Vāsudeva Ghoṣa sang, even wood and stone would melt upon hearing it.”
Breakfast and lunch prasad.
31st October 2025 – Panihati Yatra
Day 1
Raghav Bhavan
Ganga Ghat
Night Stay at Panihati
Day 2
Ariadaha – Dasa Gadadara Sripat
Barahanagar – Sri Raghunatha Bhagavata
Vallabhapura – Radhavallabha Vigraha
Khardaha – Darshan of original deities established by Vir Chandra Prabhu
2 Breakfast, 2lunch, dinner prasad and accommodation
Limited seats available – Book now!
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The youngest of the aṣṭa-sakhīs, Chitra is gentle, graceful, and deeply artistic. With her hands she paints, with her eyes she smiles, and with her heart she surrenders. She silently serves Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī by capturing divine beauty in art and color, reminding us that devotion can be quiet — yet powerful.
Yesterday, as we celebrated her appearance day here in Śrī Dhāma Māyāpura, it marked not just her own festival but also the closing of this year’s month-long Aṣṭa-sakhī celebrations. From August through September, we journeyed through the appearance days of each of these eight principal sakhīs, learning of their personalities, their services, and their eternal roles in Rādhārāṇī’s intimate circle.
The celebration of Chitra Sakhi’s appearance was nothing short of blissful. The temple echoed with kīrtans and bhajans, little children came forward with their heartfelt offerings, and the atmosphere was alive with joy. Devotees offered their talents—through music, dance, and drumming—as a humble service to Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Mādhava and Their beloved sakhīs. It was as if the entire community came together to honour the silent, gentle service of Chitra by offering their own creative gifts in devotion.
And so, with her festival, the curtains gently closed on this year’s Aṣṭa-sakhī season. It has been a period of great enlightenment, sweetness, and spiritual nourishment. Through these festivals, we not only learned about the sakhīs but also felt invited to serve them with our own hearts. We pray that, wherever you may have joined from—whether in person or from afar—something of this celebration touched your soul.
As we look ahead, may Chitra Sakhi inspire us to find beauty in service, to embrace the quiet strength of devotion, and to keep our hearts open for another year of seva and celebration.
Śrī Chitra Sakhi ki JAI!
