Iskcon Radha Kunda

The original idea for ISKCON Radha Kunda comes from Srila Prabhupada, who said it would be “a good idea” to have a Krishna-Balarama Radha-Skyamasundara mandir in Radha Kunda like so many other temples in Vrindavan have.

In 2001 the idea became a reality when an owner of a temple on the South bank of Sri Radha Kunda had a heart attack and decided it was time to donate his property to ISKCON before he passes away. The first temple manager was HG Vidura Prabhu of ISKCON Vrindavan and the first temple commander was HG Prabhupada Acharya Dasa.

Unfortunately, the temple came under legal dispute by the donor's family members and the case went against ISKCON. After a brief period of operation the temple was closed.

The temple commander remains the only member of the management team left in Radha Kunda. The project currently takes guidance and direction from members of the ISKCON Bureau and works under the Varnashrama Ministry.

Srila Prabhupada's murti (the 1st installed in Radha Kunda) remains in a bhajan kutir arranged and managed by the temple commander at Sri Doli Kunja (the home of Srila Narahari Sarkar's samadhi and ancient site of Radha-Shyamasundar's swing pastimes) on the North bank of Sri Radha Kunda in Sri Lalita's Kunja across the street from Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur's bhajan kutir.

The project has struggled for more than a decade to maintain its presence. With the help of the family, local Brajabasis, Vaishnavas and sadhus from every imaginable background it has managed to distribute over 500 quintles of grains (several tons) and prasadam to several thousands of needy Brajabasis, distribute Srila Prabhupadas books, maintain Srila Prabhupada's bhajan kutir and seva puja, maintain the seva-puja of Srila Narahari Sarkar and Sri-Sri Radha-Gopinath and Giriraj Ji. The project also provides guest and prasadam facilities to visiting devotees and sadhus on a limited basis.

Srila Narahari Thakur's samadhi (the same Narahari mentioned in the Gaura Arotika song, the leader of Sri Gadadhara's devotees) was demolished over 30 years ago by the family that purchased the property who did not understand the significance of the samadhi. As a result the family suffered heavy losses with the death of several family members following the demolition.

By Srimati Radharani's grace, the family became receptive to ISKCON and on learning the significance of Srila Narahari and his relationship with Lord Caitanya and Radha-Krishna (he is Madhumati Sakhi in Krishna-lila, who supplies Them with honey) realized their mistake and agreed to rectify it. The samadhi was reestablished by the ISKCON Radha Kunda temple commander in 2005 and he has worked with the family who owns the property in managing the reconstruction and puja of Srila Narahari, Srila Prabhupada and Sri-Sri Radha-Gopinath ever since inside the temple complex in rooms donated by the family.

The family has enthusiastically taken up the puja involving all members of the family and many members of the extended family. Many members of the family made their first contact with ISKCON as children through His Grace Aindra Prabhu when he was living in Radha Kunda before Srila Prabhupada requested him to do 24 hour kirtan in Vrindavan. They have a great taste for kirtan and harinam, and are the most enthusiastic prasadam distributors in Radha Kunda, organizing several feasts, Bhagavatam and Ramayana kathas and other Brajabasi and Vaishnava festivals throughout the year.

All ISKCON devotees are welcome to visit any time! Limited guest facilities and prasadam are available. This is not an "official" ISKCON property or project at this time, but is managed to ISKCON standards as far as circumstances allow (4 regs, Deity worship, sadhana, Prabhupada's books, etc). This is still the family's home. They are devotees of Radha-Krishna and own the temples of Yogamaya Devi and Gopiswara Mahadev also located in Sri Lalita's Kunj. The family maintains the seva at their own personal expense and significant sacrifice following their ksatriya dharma and do not openly solicit donations.

One ISKCON devotee has voluntarily pledged to the family to fund the reconstruction of Srila Narahari Sarkar's samadhi to its original glory. That should be completed in 2013 by Radharani's grace, and will replace the smaller temporary samadhi established in 2005.

Srila Prabhupada wanted an ISKCON Radha Kunda temple and Team Radha Kunda continues to pursue that mission. With your help it can become a reality. We have an opportunity to acquire the Dauli Kunj property for ISKCON Radha Kunda, and we are working with the ISKCON Bureau to find a path towards realizing it. If you are inspired to help, then please contact and join us. Hare Krishna