Revelling in Krishna's Garden - Part III

Just a few kilometers from Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh, is the quiet and sleepy town of Bandirvan. Well, as someone who’s long been captivated by the story of Krishna and Radha, I couldn’t resist the urge to visit this place where the love story of these two celestial beings is said to have reached its ultimate manifestation—divine marriage. The Heartbeat of BandirvanThe legends of Krishna and Radha are timeless. Krishna, the playful, mischievous flute player, and Radha, the devoted cowherd girl, shared a love that has been described in countless scriptures and songs as the highest form of devotion.According to lore, Krishna and Radha would meet in the forests of Bandirvan. One time when they met, Radha told Krishna about how she had just heard the tale of Parvati and Shiva’s wedding. Krishna asks her to tell him the story too. But no matter how many times she tries, as she comes to the part about the wedding, something or the other happens, and Krishna gets distracted. Radha gets tired and walks away, sitting far from Krishna.Smiling, Krishna goes up to her and asks, ‘Will you tell me one last time? And maybe this time we can pretend like I am Shiva and you are Parvati.’ Radha’s eyes light up, and she narrates how the wedding takes place. She tells Krishna how Shiva and Parvati exchange garlands. Suddenly, Brahma appears with two garlands. He gives them to Krishna and Radha and asks them to exchange the garlands and walk around the holy fire three times. He then says, ‘This is how Shiva and Parvati’s wedding happened.’The villagers of Bandirvan hence believe their houses are always in a ‘wedding mode’ so no guest who comes leaves without a feast, just as they would eat at a wedding..Visiting Bandirvan: A Walk Through Sacred HistoryWhen I arrived at Bandirvan, I was struck by the peaceful aura that envelopes the area. Unlike the more crowded temples and pilgrimage sites in Vrindavan, Bandirvan feels untouched by the rush of modern life. The forest is quiet, the air thick with the scent of trees and earth. You can almost hear the rustling of Krishna’s flute and the soft whispers of Radha’s name in the wind.I took a walk through the dense woods, where every twist and turn seemed to reveal hidden ashrams where many people had dedicated their lives to Radha and Krishna. The area is also dotted with small temples, and many devotees come here to meditate and chant their mantras. The Bandirvan Temple, at the heart of this forest, is the most revered. According to legend, this is where Radha and Krishna were married by Lord Brahma. As I sat outside the quiet temple, a lady with twinkling eyes walked up to me and said, ‘How can you come to see Krishna and not eat at his home?’I refused at first, feeling shy and awkward, but then I was so touched by her love and generosity that I walked to her home with her. We spent the day laughing, playing with her children and cooking a meal that any groom or bride's house would be proud of. We made makki rotis, dal, rice, a vegetable mix and even a dessert. It was all so delicious!I spent several hours in Bandirvan, allowing myself to soak in the atmosphere and reflect on the folklore that made this place so significant. For the people here this is no ‘myth’; this is history. Radha was one of them; Krishna was one of them! Their connection to God is as personal as it is with another family member, and that, for me, was a powerful thing to witness.As I left the forest, the tranquility of Bandirvan stayed with me. It’s a place where time stands still, and the love of Radha and Krishna is as alive as ever, resonating in the trees, the wind, and in the heart of every devotee who steps foot there.