Kusuma Sarovara is a 25 minute walk from Radha Kunda. Kusuma means "flower," and here the gopis would pick flowers for Krishna. During Lord Caitanya's time this place was known as Sumanah Sarovara. It is stated in the Caitanya Caritamrita that Lord Caitanya took bath here. The ghatas at this kunda were built by Jawahir Singh around 1764. Kusuma Sarovara is 460 feet long and the platforms go out 60 feet into the water.

On the uuper level are three tombs. The main tomb of Raja Suraj Mall has beautiful paintings on its ceiling depicting the pastimes of Krishna. There are also some paintings of Raja Suraj Mall in his court. The other tombs are those of his two queens, Kishori and Hansiya.

It is said that Asta Vakra Muni left his body on the bank of Kusuma Sarovara. The small Siva linga temple on the western bank of the kunda marks the spot where he gave up his body.

Ashoka-lata, a kunja (forest grove), is also on the bank of Kusuma Sarovara. This is where Krishna braided Srimati Radharani's hair. This pastime is described by Krishna Dasa Kaviraja Gosvami in his Govinda Lilamrita. There is a small temple, on the left of Kusuma Sarovara, by the road, that marks the place where Krishna decorated Radharani's hair.

Near Kusuma Sarovara is a temple dedicated to Uddhava that was established by Krishna's great-grandson about 4900 years ago. Uddhava remains here in the form of grass. Krishna sent Uddhava to Vrindavana, with a message to the residents to pacify their deep feeling of separation.

After delivering Krishna's message to the gopis Uddhava realized their exalted position and he prayed, "The gopis of Vrindavana have given up the association of their husbands, sons and other family members, who are very difficult to give up, and they have forsaken the path of chastity to take shelter of the lotus feet of Mukunda, Krishna, which one should search for by Vedic knowledge. Oh, let me be fortunate enough to be one of the bushes, creepers, or herbs in Vrindavana, because the gopis trample them and bless them with the dust of their lotus feet." (Srimad Bhagavatam 10.47.61)

Uddhava is the cousin of Lord Krishna. He is the son of Vasudeva's brother and was almost the same age as Krishna. His bodily features resembled Krishna's almost exactly.

Gettin there
This temple is next to Kusuma Sarovara. It has a good sized wall around it. If you are standing on the road, it is in the left back corner of Kusuma Sarovara. The temple is in a courtyard surrounded by a high wall. Its looks to be the main entrance is almost always locked. The entrance door is a norrnal sized door on your left as you approach the building.

Narada Vana is near Kusuma Sarovara. Narada Muni is said to have wrote the Narada-bhakti sutras here. He performed tapasya here after being instructed by Vrinda Devi to do so. He desired to witness the conjugal pastimes of Radha Krishna at Radha Kunda, but could not do so Because he was in a male body. After being blessed by Vrinda Devi, he took a female body after bath ing in Kusuma Sarovara. He then witnessed the pastimes of Radha and Krishna at Radha Kunda. Lord I rishna then in structed him to write about the glories of blaakti, devotional service. There is a good sized kunda here called Narada Kunda. There is a temple here, with a deity of Narada Muni. Not many people visit this place

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Getting there
To get here from Kusuma Sarovara you walk a short distance (80m) towards the town of Govardhana (away from Radha Kunda). On the left is a dirt road. From the road it is about 400m (a 5 minute walk) to Narada Vana. When you reach the end of the dirt road, the Narada temple is on the right and Narada Kunda is directly in front of you, behind some trees.

Shyamavan is known as the black forest. At Shyama Kutir (also known as Ratna Simhasana) there is a kunda called Ratna Kunda. This kunda is said to mark the spot where the demon Shankhacuda (Shankhasura) carried off Radharani, who was sitting on the Ratna Simhasana (jeweled throne). It is said that he carried the Ratna Simhasana to Lagamohan Tirtha and left it there, in fear, because Krishna was pursuing him.

Right outside of the entrance to the ashrama, about 7m (20 ft) into the trees, is the imprint of Krishna's left foot. The rock that is embedded into the ground here is painted red where the footprint is located.

Gettin there- This place is in the woods, across from the Sant Nivas Ashrama, about 3 km from Kusuma Sarovara. Sant Nivas Ashrama is the first good sized building that you will see on your left and is a fairly active place. Just before you reach Sant Nivas there is a dirt road (which is the first of two) that goes off into the woods. You walk 120m into the woods and then you make a right turn onto the path that goes to the right. You walk 115m and there is an ashrama and temple directly in front of you. About 7m (20 ft) before the entrance to this ashrama, about 7m (20 ft) into the trees is the imprint of Krishna left foot.

Story of Shankhacuda (Shankhasura) "At that time, while they were so much absorbed, almost in madness, a demon associate of Kuvera (the treasurer of the heavenly planets) appeared on the scene. The demon's name was Shankhasura because on his head there was a valuable jewel resembling a conchshell. Shankhasura though since he belonged to the rich community of Kuvera, he, not Krishna and Balarama, should enjoy the company of so many beautiful girls. He therefore decided to take charge of them. He appeared before Krishna and Balarama and the damsels of Vraja and began to lead the girls away to the north. He commanded them as if he were their proprietor and husband, despite the presence of Krishna and Balarama. Being forcibly taken away by Shankhasura the damsels of Vraja began to call the names of Krishna and Balarama for protection. The two brothers immediately began to follow them, taking up big logs in Their hands. `Don't be afraid, don't be afraid,' They called to the gopis. `We are coming at once to chastise this demon.' Very quickly They reached Shankhasura. Thinking the brothers too powerful, Shankhasura left the company of the gopis and ran for fear of his life. But Krishna would not let him go. He entrusted the gopis to the care of Balarama and followed Shankhasura wherever he fled. Krishna wanted to take the valuable jewel resembling a conchshell from the head of the demon. After following him a very short distance, Krishna caught him, struck his head with His fist and killed him. He then took the valuable jewel and returned. In the presence of all the damsels of Vraja, He presented the valuable jewel to His elder brother Balarama." (Krishna Book, Chap. 34)