Project - Rudra Kund, Jatipura (Govardhan)

Rudra Kund, Jatipura (Govardhan)

History of the site

Rudra kund is one of the important sites of Braj. It lies just in front of Giriraj Mukharvind at Jatipura where Krishna organized the Annakut Mahotsav during the Giriraj worship.

This is renowned because Lord Shiva relished the entire Giriraj festival by sitting at this place only. When Shiva heard about the Giriraj festival on the Himalaya, the king of the mountains, he came along with Parvatiji and got placed himself comfortably at this place only. The 13th verse of 2nd chapter of Giriraj Khand corroborates this fact.

There is a Shiva temple nearby which is known as "Budhe Baba" (Old Grandfather).

Latest pictures of the site

References are there in the shastra that towards the East of this kund, there is a gate which opened into a cave leading to the Srinath ji temple. (Recently the foundation's team excavated this cave)

In the 10 canto, 30th chapter, 40th verse of Srimad Bhagvatam there is a reference that this kund was formed by the tears of Srimati Radha Rani during the Maha Raas. When Radha Rani too became egoistic, Krishna left her as well and disappeared. It was at this Rudra Kund that Radha Rani wept for Krishna and thus a kund was formed.

Plight of the site

The Rudra Kund was last restored in 1933 by Shri Sunderlal Chunnilal Daga of Bikaner/Kolkata, who was also the Member of Lagislative Asemly (British Govt.), Delhi. He even brought a canal from Palson minor irrigation canal to fill this kund.

For the last 50 years the kund was lying in the state of neglect and had become the garbage dumping ground for the local municipality. It's surroundings were encroached by the local vested interests, who had constructed shops, three storey houses, cow sheds etc after filling the kund. The dirty drain of the village was falling into it and it was breeding mosquitoes and spreading foul smell.

Braj Foundation's effort to restore it

In the year 2006 the Braj Foundation decided to restore the kund. The earthmovers of the foundation were put in action. However within few days' one local tough man, who had encroached upon the kund, went to Allahbad high court and got stay order against it's renovation. It took us 5 years to get stay order vacated. Meanwhile we did exhaustive study of the kund, detailed survey was also done after which the in house architects prepared it's plan of development.

On 3rd June 2011 again the restoration was started. With the help of Distt. Administration and Police the unauthorized construction were demolish against much resistance from the encroachers. Ever since the three earth movers of the foundation (donated by Mr.Kamal Morarka) have been pressed in to action. Dozens of tractor and trolleys are lifting the garbage etc. to finish the de-silting after which the reconstruction of the Rudra Kund will started in full swing. The de-silting was done with generous financial support of Mr. Kamal Morarka, Chairman, Gannon Dunkerley, Mumbai.

Rudra Kund Shilanyas held on 16 November 2011

The Rudra Kund shilanyas was formally laid on 16th November 2011 by the Commissioner of Agra Division, Mr. Amrit Abhijat in the presence of several local residents, saints, Vice-Chairman of MVDA and other prominent people of Goverdhan.

 

Beautification Plan

The proposed plan is to develop Rudra Kund in a geometrical figure. This kund is associated with the legend of Lord Shiva; the Shiva Yantra is the main element of focus. The centre of the yantra is an 'ashta kamal', and its reflection will be seen in the water of the kund. Water is a representation of sustenance. The reflection of the Shiva Yantra on the water represents the union of Har and Hari.

Efforts will be made to ensure perennial water supply to the kund. There will also be provision for the regular circulation of this water to ensure its oxygenation. The water will be lifted from main kund through electric pump and will be taken to 4 side pools around kund. From there it will flow back into the kund through the white marbel masks of cows. This will add beauty to the kund. A lush green garden around kund will be developed for the pleasure of parikarmarthi. The estimated cost of this project is Rs 2.43 Crores.The beautification is being done with the finacial support of industrialists of Hyderabad and Sh. Ajay Piramal of Mumbai. The restoration of Rudra Kund is complete and was dedicated to the Brajwasis on 11th March 2015 by the Chief Minister of UP Mr.Akhilesh Yadav.

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