Seva Kunja (Nikunjavan)
Vrndavan, Braj Mandal, Uttar Pradesh (UP) India

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Krishna would massage Radharani’s feet and decorate Her hair with flowers here. Radha and Krishna are said to perform pastimes every night in this garden. Here on the full moon night, of the first night of Kartika, Krishna danced rasa-lila with Srimati Radharani and the gopis. Seva Kunja is not just the area within the walls, but the whole area for about a mile in each direction is called Seva Kunja. The Radha Damodara temple, Imli Tala and Sringara Sthali are in Seva Kunja.

There is a small temple here called Ranga Mahal or Shriji ka Mandir, which is dedicated to Radha and Krishna. There are some good murals and a picture of Krishna massaging the feet of Radharani.

There is an ancient Tamala Tree here. It is said that Krishna wiped some butter off His hands onto this tree. The spot where Krishna is said to have wiped His hand on the tree resembles a shalagrama-shila.

Once Krishna pushed His flute (some say foot) into the ground here and created a small kunda, called Lalita Kunda, to satisfy Lalita Sakhi’s thirst. This kunda is directly to the right from the entrance to Seva Kunja, about 30m (100 ft) from the entrance. It is dung deep into the ground and you have to walk down some steps to reach it.

It is said that Radha and Krishna come here nightly to enjoy their pastimes. No one is allowed within the enclosure at night. The numerous monkeys that are here during the day also leave at night. It is said that if anyone enters this garden at night, they will immediately go insane or die. The area of Seva Kunja is about 1½ acres.

There are many monkeys here and you should be conscious of them, as they can be mischievous. It is highly advised that you leave your shoes in the shoe room here and that you give the caretaker a rupee or two to look after your shoes, so that the monkeys do not steal them. You may also want to purchase some dry chick pea (channa) to feed to the monkeys, to keep them distracted.

How To Get Here This temple is not far from the Radha Damodara temple. If you just left the Radha Damodara temple, you make a right and when the road goes two ways in about 50m (150 feet), you go right. You then walk about 130m (400 feet), passing a road that goes to the right. The entrance to Seva Kunja is on the left. Everyone knows where this place is located.

Timings This place is open from 7 am to 12.30 pm and 3.30 to 6 pm, or until it gets dark.

Copyright ©2001 John Howley and Spiritual Guides