Dear devotees: Today’s Christmas Class is entitled, “A Chorus Of Cuckoos In Kokilavana Forest.” We’ll visit one of Radha and Krsna’s favorite pastime forests where They relish the ever-sweet chorus of unlimited cuckoo birds singing Their glories! 3:30 p.m. India time on my YouTube channel.
A documentary on Varsana produced by Bhakti Chaitanya Swami
When Krishna moved with His parents from Vrindavana to Nandagrama, Srimati Radharani and her parents moved to Varsana, which is just eight kilometres away. Varsana is one of the richest areas of Radha and Krishna s pastimes. Even now They meet in the beautiful forests there every day, and one can feel Their transcendental presence everywhere.
This Video takes you on a journey through these sacred hills, to visit the temples and see the places where the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His eternal consort performed Their transcendental lilas together 5000 years ago
Locations: Vilas Garh; Sankari Kor; Ciksoli Grama; Krishna Kunda; Mor Kotir; Mana Kotir; Through the Forest; Dana Garh; Jaipur Temple; Sriji Temple; Pili Pokhara; and the Villages of the Asta Sakhis: Lalita — Unchagaon; Vishaka — Kamai; Campakalata — Kehrala; Indulekha — Anjanoka; Tungavidya — Dhavaro; Citra — Ciksoli; Rangadevi — Rakholi; Sudevi — Sonhera Grama; and other holy places of Varsana: Kadamkhandi; Suryakunda; and Prema Sarovara.
Going on Govardhan Parikrama is always a highlight for every pilgrim who visits Sri Vrindavan Dhama. This was certainly true for our group of 350 devotees, who assembled at Radha Kunda at 5 AM in the morning to begin circumambulating the sacred mountain, so dear to all Vaisnavas. Softly chanting on our japa beads we walked the 23 kilometer path praying to Giriraja to bless us with service to the Divine Couple, Sri Sri Radha Syamasundara and eternal residence in Their holy dhama. By the time we finished we were literally running down the sacred path in great joy and happiness.
Talavan is one of the12 major forests of Vrindavan. Nestled in the paddy fields of Talavan is a beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Balarama, who killed the ass-demon Denakasura there. We enjoyed a wonderful day at Talavan having long kirtans and recounting the numerous pastimes that took place in that transcendental abode.
Srimati Raharani appeared in Raval and later moved to Varsana when she was a young girl. The beautiful pastoral setting in Raval was a perfect place for our parikrama party to hear and meditate on the transcendental pastimes that took place there 5,000 years ago.
Kirtans of the Sacred Forest — Agni dev das
Agni dev is renowned for his melodious Gaudiya Vaishnava kirtan, Agnidev prabhu sings traditional songs with multi-cultural accompaniment, using both Eastern and Western instruments. In addition to his soul-stirring vocals, he is a master kirtaneer and mridanga player.
0:00:00 Maha Mantra
0:13:06 Gaya Gaura Madhur Sware
00:23:22 jaya Radhe Jaya Krsna Jaya Vrindaban
00:35:54 Bhaja Bhakata Vatsala Sri Gaurahari
00:43:54 Radhe Jaya Jaya Madhava Caayate
By the mercy of the Lord our second Kartika parikrama took us to the city of Mathura, where Lord Krsna appeared 5,000 years ago. In a beautiful and spacious temple we discussed the glories of Mathura as revealed in the Brhat Bhagvatamrita, by Srila Sanatana Goswami. After kirtan we wandered the ancient quarters of the city discovering many old temples. Devotees were particularly impressed with two large Deities of Lord Varaha, who have been worshipped since the dawn of creation.
As a rural community project, New Govardhana is a living example of Srila Prabhupada’s teachings regarding “simple living, high thinking”. One of the main tenets of the Krishna consciousness philosophy is vegetarianism and cow protection.
We have therefore developed an innovative cow protection program that includes caring for our cows until they pass away naturally, and educational tours for guests. And it is a rare guest indeed who doesn’t fall in love with cows after the tour experience. There are also two abundant gardens that supply ingredients for the 3 daily vegetarian and vegan meals at both the temple and Krishna Village.
So we are well on our way to living self-sufficiently. In this age, as city-life becomes increasingly more challenging, we understand the importance of developing a shelter away from metropolitan centers to provide people the opportunity to re-centre and connect with their deepest Self.