Rudra Kund, Jatipura (Govardhan)

Rudra Kund is one of the important heritage sites of Braj. It lies just in front of Giriraj Mukharvind at Village Jatipura, Govardhan where Lord Krishna initiated the Annakut Mahotsav for Giriraj worship. There are many stories of Lord Shiva repeatedly coming to Braj to enjoy the childhood pastimes of Lord Krishna. Rudra Kund is renowned because Lord Shiva relished the entire Annakut Mahotsav by sitting at this place only. When Shiva heard about the Annakut Mahotsav 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). 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 (which used to be on the hill top near Govind Kund).
In the 10 canto, 30th chapter, 40th verse of Srimad Bhagavatam 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 Legislative Assembly (British Govt.), Delhi. He even brought a canal from village Paulson's 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. Its surroundings were encroached by the local vested interests, who had constructed shops, three story 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. Such a significant spot of Krishna leela, on Govardhan parikrama path, frequented by millions of people round the year, was in such a state of neglect. It was not even visible to parikrama this.

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 a few days' one local land mafia, who had encroached upon the kund, went to Allahabad high court and got a stay order against its renovation. It took us 5 years to get the stay order vacated. Meanwhile a detailed survey was done and the in-house architects prepared its plan of development.

Desilting

On 3rd June 2011 the restoration was again started under the supervision of our expert team of engineers. With the help of Mathura Distt. Administration and Police the unauthorized constructions were demolished, as per High Court orders which generated violent protest from the encroachers. Three earth movers, of the foundation, and dozens of tractors and trolleys were pressed into action to desilt and remove the garbage and filth.

Rudra Kund Shilanyas

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 Braj.

The Design

Our architect Mr. Suvaj Mohanty designed Rudra Kund in the shape of a Shiva Yantra. Since, during Annakut Mahotsav, 5500 years ago, Lord Shiva and Krishna physically met here so we transformed that mood into its design. Here they are meeting architecturally. Describing His opulence, Lord Krishna says to Arjuna in Bhagwat Geeta that He is the taste of water. So in this design water represents Krishna and Kund’s structure represents Shiva; the union of Har and Hari.

Reconstruction and beautification

The reconstruction of the Rudra Kund was started in full swing as per the design. Efforts were made to ensure perennial water supply to the kund. There is provision for the regular circulation of Kund water to ensure its oxygenation. The water is lifted from the main kund through electric pump and is taken to four side pools around the kund. From there it flows back into the kund through the heads of Nandi (Shiva’s bull) carved in white marble. This adds beauty to the kund.
The two gates of Rudra Kund have been designed as Trishul (trident) and Damroo (drum) of Lord Shiva. On stone benches we carved symbols associated with Lord Shiva. In the backdrop of the Kund we hung a colorful picture (size) of Srinath ji.
A lush green garden around kund has been developed for the pleasure of parikarmarthis. Stone plaques inscribed in Hindi & English were installed glorifying puranic significance of Rudra Kund. A camp office and facilities were constructed on adjacent gram Sabha land for the upkeep of Kund. The reconstruction and beautification was done with the financial support of Rs 2.43 Crores by the industrialists of Hyderabad and Sh. Ajay Piramal of Mumbai.

Inauguration by Lord Kashi Vishwanath ji & Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister

We wanted Rudra Kund to be inaugurated by Kashi Vishwanath Ji. So, we went to Varanasi to invite Him. On 10th March 2015 Kashi Vishwanath Ji along with His 27 special drummers and over hundred prominent citizens of Kashi, led by Mahant Rajendra Tiwari Ji and priests of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple came to Jatipura (Mathura) to inaugurate the Kund.

On 11th March 2015 Rudra Kund was decked up like a bride. Since, the ruler is described as His representative in Bhagwat Geeta, the Chief Minister of UP Mr. Akhilesh Yadav performed that duty as a special Guest of Honor on this occasion. A colorful Shobhayatra (procession) of Kashi Vishwanth entered Rudra Kund, Kashi Vishwanth was received by CM UP, Mr Ajay Piramal, dignitaries, thousands of Brajwasis and The Braj Foundation team. Several saints enthusiastically came to bless us on this auspicious occasion. The stone plaque recording this history clearly mentions that Rudra Kund was inaugurated by Kashi Vishwanath Ji through his representative Mr. Akhilesh Yadav, CM UP.