Kirti Mata Tapas Sthali, located in Barsana, is a highly sacred and divine place, where it is believed that Queen Kirti (mother of Shri Radha) performed intense penance to attain Shri Radha.
This entire region is situated within Padar Van, where Shri Radharani arrives daily along with Her eight principal sakhis to engage in divine pastimes. This forest was abundant with padar (lotus) flowers, which Shri Radha would personally pick with her sakhis. Due to the abundance of these lotus flowers, the forest was named Padar Van, and it is counted among the 24 principal forests of Braj.
There is a special tradition of the Sanjhi festival here. Shri Radharani Herself would create Sanjhi (rangoli made of flowers) and worship Shri Krishna through it. Once, Shri Krishna arrived here disguised as a Pandit, and Shri Radha worshipped Him by making a Sanjhi in His honor.
The area adjacent to the temple is called Khelan Van because it is here that Shri Radharani, along with Her sakhis, used to play. Hence, it came to be known as Khelan Van. Even today, a swing remains in this forest, where Shri Radha and Shri Krishna swing together.
Near the Tapasthali, there is a beautiful kund (pond), in front of which stands a temple of Mata Kirti, where She is seated with baby Shri Radha in Her lap. In the same area, there is also an ancient Shiva temple and a nearby Hanuman temple. According to the temple attendants, even today, during the night, the soft tinkling of anklets and the melodious sound of Krishna’s flute can be heard here.
The entire region is covered with dense and enchanting trees. It is believed that these trees are from the era of Sri Radha and Krishna, embracing one another as if they are Shyama-Shyam themselves. Nearby, there is a cave where toys of baby Radha are preserved. Devotees joyfully offer their affection to the child form of Radha there.
The atmosphere of this place is extremely peaceful and gentle. Various colorful birds and dancing peacocks enhance the charming spiritual ambiance of Braj. At the center of the Tapasthali is the Raas Sthali, where even today, devotees experience the divine Raas Leela of Shri Shyama Shyam during the night.
Within Padar Van lies a beautiful water body called Kamal Kund, filled with blooming lotus flowers that are offered in the service of Shri Radharani. In ancient times, this area was known as Pavadi, from which the name Padar Van was derived.
Location:
Kirti Mata Tapas Sthali is situated in Padar Van in Barsana.
This entire region is situated within Padar Van, where Shri Radharani arrives daily along with Her eight principal sakhis to engage in divine pastimes. This forest was abundant with padar (lotus) flowers, which Shri Radha would personally pick with her sakhis. Due to the abundance of these lotus flowers, the forest was named Padar Van, and it is counted among the 24 principal forests of Braj.
There is a special tradition of the Sanjhi festival here. Shri Radharani Herself would create Sanjhi (rangoli made of flowers) and worship Shri Krishna through it. Once, Shri Krishna arrived here disguised as a Pandit, and Shri Radha worshipped Him by making a Sanjhi in His honor.
The area adjacent to the temple is called Khelan Van because it is here that Shri Radharani, along with Her sakhis, used to play. Hence, it came to be known as Khelan Van. Even today, a swing remains in this forest, where Shri Radha and Shri Krishna swing together.
Near the Tapasthali, there is a beautiful kund (pond), in front of which stands a temple of Mata Kirti, where She is seated with baby Shri Radha in Her lap. In the same area, there is also an ancient Shiva temple and a nearby Hanuman temple. According to the temple attendants, even today, during the night, the soft tinkling of anklets and the melodious sound of Krishna’s flute can be heard here.
The entire region is covered with dense and enchanting trees. It is believed that these trees are from the era of Sri Radha and Krishna, embracing one another as if they are Shyama-Shyam themselves. Nearby, there is a cave where toys of baby Radha are preserved. Devotees joyfully offer their affection to the child form of Radha there.
The atmosphere of this place is extremely peaceful and gentle. Various colorful birds and dancing peacocks enhance the charming spiritual ambiance of Braj. At the center of the Tapasthali is the Raas Sthali, where even today, devotees experience the divine Raas Leela of Shri Shyama Shyam during the night.
Within Padar Van lies a beautiful water body called Kamal Kund, filled with blooming lotus flowers that are offered in the service of Shri Radharani. In ancient times, this area was known as Pavadi, from which the name Padar Van was derived.
Location:
Kirti Mata Tapas Sthali is situated in Padar Van in Barsana.