Bhandirvan, located in Vraja Mandala, is a sacred forest where the divine Gandharva marriage of Radha and Krishna took place long before Radha’s marriage to Abhimanyu. Lalita sakhi organized the necessary arrangements for the wedding while Lord Brahma presided as the head priest. In India, it’s typical for parents to choose a spouse for their children, but a gandharva marriage involves the personal selection of the bride and groom, without a lengthy ceremony. The couple exchange garlands and simple vows. The vat (banyan tree) at Bhandirvan holds significant importance in the pastimes of Radha and Krishna, where they shared many happy memories together. Krishna and his friends would often enjoy lunch together under the shade of this tree, sent by their mothers, and engage in playful activities.
Ekadashanta Bhandiran yoginang priyamuttamam
Tasya darshan-matrena nara garbhang na gacchhati
Bhandirang samanuprapya bananang vanamuttamam
Vasudevang tato drista punarjanma na vidyate
Tasmin Bhandirke snato niyato niyotasanah
Sarva papa vinirmukta indralokang sa gachhati
(Adi Varaha)
–
Bhandirvan is the eleventh forest which is held in high regard by yogis for its scenic beauty. The mere sight of this forest is believed to prevent one from being reborn. Moreover, catching a glimpse of Vasudeva in this forest, the most excellent among all forests, is also thought to release one from the cycle of birth and death. By taking a bath, fasting, and practicing self-control in this forest, one is said to be absolved of all sins and attain a place in Indraloka.
Marriage of Radha and Krishna at Bhandirvan
As per the accounts in Garga Samhita and Gita Govinda, Nanda Maharaja took Krishna to Bhandirvana to graze the cows. The forest was dense and shaded with Kadamba and Tamala trees, allowing only a little sunlight to seep through. Suddenly, a rainstorm broke out, and a worried Nanda Maharaja sheltered Krishna in his lap since He was just a young child at the time.
At that moment, a stunning Radharani appeared in the form of a young girl, and with her arms outstretched, she expressed her desire to take Krishna with her. Nanda Maharaja was astonished, but he complied and allowed Radha to take Krishna. Radha carried Krishna to the depths of Bhandirvan and under the shades of Bhandirvata, where He transformed into His youthful form (Kaisora). Radha’s companions, Lalita, Vishakha, and others, as well as Lord Brahma, also appeared there.
Brahma understood the divine couple’s desires and performed their Gandharva marriage ceremony. As Brahma recited Vedic mantras, Radha and Krishna exchanged garlands amidst joyous chants and wedding songs, while the demigods showered flowers from the sky. When asked what he would like to receive as dakshina (donation), Brahma expressed his desire for nothing but devotion to Krishna’s lotus feet. Once the wedding was complete, Brahma and all the sakhis left, and Krishna transformed Himself back to a small boy. Radha then handed Him over to Nanda Maharaja, who was waiting for Him, and together, father and son returned home after the storm subsided. This ancient pastime took place here under the banyan tree at Bhandirvan.
sa vahayam asa harim ca radhikam
pradakshinam sapta-hiranya-retasah
tatas ca tau tam pranamayya veda-vit
tau pathayam asa ca sapta-mantrakam
(Garga samhita)
–
The wedding ceremony of Lord Hari and Sri Radhika was officiated by Brahma. As part of the ceremony, they circumambulated the sacred fire and paid their respects to it. Brahma, who was knowledgeable in the Vedas, recited the seven mantras.
Venu Kupa
After defeating Vatsasura (a demon who came disguised as a gentle calf), Sri Krishna boasted about his strength to the gopis he met near Bhandirvata. The gopis accused him of killing a cow and forbade him from touching them. Krishna clarified that he killed a demon disguised as a calf, but the gopis didn’t believe him.
They suggested that he should bathe in all the sacred rivers and ponds on Earth to regain his purity and touch them again. Using his flute, Krishna created a beautiful well named Venu-kupa and summoned all the sacred places of Earth to enter it. He bathed in the well, which enabled him to meet the gopis once again. Venu-kupa, situated near Bhandirvata, provides the same benefits as bathing in every holy site. Women from Vraja still worship the well on special occasions. Childless couples or those who lost a child pledge to worship the deity at the well, and their desires come true.
Pralambasura kidnapped Balarama in Bhandirvan
Pralambasura was a fierce demon who tried to kidnap Krishna and Balarama. Once while Krishna and Balarama were playing along with their friends, Pralamasura entered their company disguising himself as a cowherd boy. This pastime occurred in the middle of hot summer. However, due to the presence of Krishna and Balarama, the environment felt just like spring. Pralambasura calculated that it would be too difficult to contend with Sri Krishna and hence he decided to fight with Balarama. Krishna, the supreme Lord, could understand everything and started pondering about how He could kill the demon. Externally, however, He behaved nicely with Pralambasura and welcomed him into their game. The cowherd boys were then divided into two groups, one led by Krishna and the other by Balarama. It was decided that whichever group lost will have to carry the winners on their shoulders. Balarama’s group emerged victorious and the fellows of Krishna’s group lifted them on their shoulders.
vahanto vahyamanas ca
carayantas ca go-dhanam
bhandirakam nama vatam
jagmuh Krishna-purogamah
(Srimad Bhagavatam 10.18.22)
–
The boys followed Krishna to a banyan tree called Bhandiraka, while also taking turns carrying each other and tending to the cows.
Sensing an opportunity, Pralambasura raised Balarama on his shoulders and began running away quickly. As the demon tried to escape, Balarama became as heavy as mount Sumeru. This forced the demon to slow down and reveal his original demoniac form. Witnessing the gigantic body of the demon that reached the skies and apprehending his evil intention, Lord Balarama became furious. He then struck the demon’s head with His firm fist, thereby cracking the demon’s skull. Vomiting blood, the demon fell lifeless. The cowherd boys glorified the heroic deed of Balarama while the demigods rained flowers upon Him. Pralambasura kidnapped Balarama here at Bhandirvan and ran all the way to Akshay vat (near Shergarh), where he was slain by Lord Balarama.
What to See :
- Bhandirvata – Radha Krishna’s marriage place
- Enchanting darshan of Radha Bhandir bihari jiu
- Venu Kupa
- Balarama’s crown
It is said that Balarama presides over all the forests like Bhandirvan, Bhadravan, Belvan, Gokul Mahavan, and Lohavan that lie on the eastern side of Yamuna. Therefore all these forests have temples of Lord Balarama.
How to Reach
Bhandirvan is just 20 Kilometers away from Vrindavan. The place is well connected via roadways. It lies within the jurisdiction of Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh.