Sri Kadaravana lies two kilometre west of Nagari and two miles from Sri Talavana. Its ancient name is Sri Kumudavana. The beauty of this forest is enhanced by Sri Kumudani Kunda. This kunda is always beautified by blooming Kumuda-flowers (lilies), that are always surrounded by male and female bumblebees that drink the nectar of these Kumuda-flowers. This kunda is surrounded by trees of various colours. Sri Krsna was always playing here with His friends, hence this place is also known as Sri Kumudavana. A human being who comes here is worshipped in Visnuloka. Here one can see the sitting place of Kapiladeva and Sri Vallabhacarya.
Mentioned in Sri Adi Varaha Purana “O goddess! This Kumudavana is the third forest and is super excellent. Anyone who goes there will be worshipped in My abode!”
How to get there: You can easily go to this place by auto from Vrindavana.
In my below video you can see local Pujari explaining about the importance of this place:
The Sri Kumudani Kunda is also called Ganga Sagar. Lord Krishna himself created this Ganga Sagar. The main Ganga Sagar is in Kolkata (West Bengal). People go to Kolkata to take darshan of Ganga Sagar with lot of efforts. Lord Krishna called all the Char Dham in Vraja Mandal to give darshan to Vasudeva, Devaki, Nanda Baba and Yashoda.
When Vasudeva and Devaki were in prison, Vasudeva prayed, “if we have a son, then we will do Char Dham parikrama”
Lord Krishna was born, killed many demons including Kamsa and freed his parents from the prison. A lot of time passed, Vasudeva and Devaki became very old, could not walk and so at this place, Lord Krishna called all the four Dham to the third forest of Vraja. First forest is Sri Madhuvana, second is Sri Talavana and this Kumudavana is the third forest. Here Kumudani and Kamal (lotus) flowers grow, Kamal or lotus flower blooms during day time due to sunlight, Kumudani flowers blooms during night time due to moon light. Because of this Kumudani flower, this village is called Kumudavana. All local people in this village are Brahmins.
Once Vasudeva was sitting at this place. Lord Krishna asked, “why are you silent, express your desire?”.
Vasudeva said, “I had prayed if I have a son, I will do Char Dham Parikrama”.
Lord Krishna said, “you expressed your desire to visit Char Dham, but they are not in one place, one is on the top of the mountain, one in the forest and we would have to walk in the forest and cross the river, but you are too old walk that far.”
Vasudeva replied, “this is what I am thinking. My youth age is passed and I am old to do Char Dham parikrama. My desire is in my heart only, all my years just passed by.”
Lord Krishna replied, “You do not get afraid or worried, I will call all the Char Dham here in Kumudavana and you can take darshan and do Parikrama. I will not call Char Dham just for one day but for the four months, Shravana, Bhadra, Asvina and Kartika. For four months in Kumudavana, all the four Dham will stay in Vraja Mandal, and Lord Krishna started 84 krosh Vraja Mandal Parikrama.”
Lord Krishna and Srimati Radharani taken bath in this Kunda. Srimati Radharani made garland of Kamal or lotus flowers from this kunda and put it on Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna and gopis made garland of kumudani flowers and put it on Srimati Radharani.
All the Char Dham: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath settled in Vraja Mandal. Devotees who are unable to visit Kumudavana for the four months, Shravana, Bhadra, Asvina and Kartika can visit Char Dham in Vraja Mandal any time of the year to take darshan. I will explain in my next article.