Radha Kund

Radha Kund is a sacred water tank located in the town of Radha Kund near Govardhan in Mathura District, Uttar Pradesh. Paired with the adjacent Shyam Kund, it is considered one of the holiest sites for Vaishnavas and pilgrims on the Govardhan Parikrama route. The kund is surrounded by stone ghats, temples and shrines and is revered as the bathing place of Radha and Krishna.

Visitors can expect twin rectangular sacred ponds - Radha Kund and Shyam Kund - joined together and surrounded by stone ghats, steps, small temples and shrines. The setting is a busy pilgrimage town with parikrama paths, bathing ghats where devotees take holy dips, priests performing rituals, and shops selling offerings. The area is walkable around the kunds with views of Govardhan Hill landscape and nearby temples.

Tradition associates Radha Kund and Shyam Kund with Krishna and Radha. Shyam Kund is said to have been created by Krishna after striking the ground, and Radha Kund by Radha and her companions. The kunds were rediscovered in the early 16th century by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu during his Braj pilgrimage and later developed by his followers, with ghats and temples added over subsequent centuries.

Radha Kund is regarded as the most sacred bathing place for followers of Gaudiya Vaishnavism and other Krishna devotees. Bathing on auspicious days, especially during the Kartik month and on Bahulashtami (Radha Kund appearance day), is believed to be highly meritorious. It is an integral part of Govardhan Parikrama and Braj pilgrimage traditions.