Kaundinyapur Yatra - Birthplace of Rukmini Ji
Chandan Yatra Das
Kaundinyapur Yatra
Birthplace of Rukmini Ji and place of Rukmini Haran (kidnaping) pastime
Kaundinyapur is tiny village, 2 hours from Nagpur in Amravati, Maharashtra on the banks of river Wardha. This is birthplace of Rukmini Ji, the principal queen of Lord Krishna. This is also where famous Rukmini haran (kidnaping) pastime took place. Here there is famous Sri Vitthala Rukmini temple, the exact spot of Rukmini’s palace.
Places to visit in Kaundinyapur:
1. Sri Vitthala Rukmini temple at Kaundinyapur - the exact spot of Rukmini’s palace
2. ISKCON Kaundinyapur
3. Rare Keli Kadamba trees inside ISKCON temple premises
🔔 Rukmini Haran (kidnapping) pastime ☢
Rukmini was daughter of King Bhismaka of Vidarbha. Just as Lord Krishna is the Supreme Lord, Rukmini is supreme goddess of fortune, Maha-Laksmi. Rukmini was reservoir of all transcendental qualities. Rukmini’s father and her family unanimously decided her to marry Krishna, but her elder brother Rukmi, forcefully arranged her marriage with Sisupala, a determined enemy of Krishna. ⤵
When Rukmini heard this, she became extremely morose. However, she decided that there was no use in being morose 🤯, some steps should be taken immediately. After deliberation, she decided to send a letter 📋 to Krishna in Dwarka. For this, she selected a trusted brahmana as her messenger. ⤵
When brahmana arrived in Dwarka, Krishna welcomed him very respectfully. Later, Krishna asked him the purpose of coming. Brahmana then handed over Rukmini’s letter. ⤵
Rukmini’s letter:
“My dear Krishna, O infallible and most beautiful one, anyone who happens to hear about You, immediately absorbs in Your name, fame, qualities and thus all his material pangs subside. I have heard of Your transcendental qualities. I may be shameless in expressing myself directly, but You have captivated me and taken my heart. You may doubt my steadiness of character, since how could an unmarried young girl like me approach You without any shame? But my dear Mukunda, You are the supreme lion among human beings. My dear Lord, I dedicate my life and soul unto Your lotus feet. I have selected Your Lordship as my husband. I request You to accept me as Your wife. You are the supreme powerful. I request You to immediately take care of me. Please come here and catch hold of my hand so that I shall not be touched by Sisupala.”
She suggested that Krishna come incognito to kidnap her and then fight with Sisupala. She addressed Him - 'Ajita' the 'unconquerable Lord'. ⤵
Lord Krishna was very much pleased by her letter. He said, "I am very glad to hear that Rukmini is eager to marry Me, since I am also eager to get her hand. My mind is always absorbed in thoughts of her, and sometimes I cannot sleep at night because I am thinking of her. I understand that marriage of Rukmini with Sisupala has been arranged by Rukmi in a spirit of animosity toward Me; so I am determined to give a good lesson to them." Krishna immediately prepared to leave for Vidarbha.
Meanwhile, Rukmini was expecting Krishna to arrive, but when neither He nor brahmana came, she was full of anxiety and began to think how unfortunate she was. “There is only one night left for my marriage day, and still neither brahmana nor Krishna have returned. I cannot ascertain any reason for this. Perhaps, Krishna had found reason to become dissatisfied and had rejected her fair proposal.” ⤵
She felt that she was hoping against hope 😰. Tears simply shed from her eyes, unobserved by others. When her tears became more forceful, she closed her eyes in helplessness. Meanwhile, Krishna’s brother - Balarama, when He heard that Krishna has left alone, He also immediately started to Vidarbha with soldiers of Yadu dynasty.
Day on her marriage, as per there family practice, Rukmini visited Durga temple, which was on outskirts of the city. ⤵
All the princes who came for marriage had assembled outside the temple to see Rukmini. As she was adjusting her ornaments, she happened to look upon princes and suddenly saw that Lord Krishna was present amongst them. Although Rukmini had never before seen Krishna, she was always thinking of Him; thus she had no difficulty recognizing Him. Krishna, unconcerned with the other princes, immediately took the opportunity to place Rukmini on His chariot. He then proceeded slowly, without fear, taking Rukmini away exactly as a lion takes a deer from the midst of jackals. Meanwhile, Balarama appeared on the scene with the soldiers of Yadu dynasty. ⤵
Sisupala became very angry at Krishna for having kidnapped Rukmini. Terrible fighting began, as Balarama, heading Yadu dynasty’s soldiers, checked everyone from going towards Krishna. Rukmini, seated by the side of Krishna, saw arrows raining onto the faces of Yadu soldiers. In a fearful attitude, she looked upon Krishna’s face, expressing her gratefulness that He had taken such a great risk for her sake only. Her eyes moving, she appeared sorry, and Krishna, immediately understood her mind, said: “My dear Rukmini, don’t worry. Soldiers of Yadu will kill all without delay.” ⤵
Rukmi, having seen his sister forcibly taken away by Krishna, got frustrated, and decided to teach Krishna a lesson personally. He fiercely chased after Krishna. In great stupidity, he soon stood before Krishna, telling Him repeatedly, “Stop for a minute and fight with me!” He condemned Krishna with abominable words. ⤵
Lord Krishna, after hearing all these crazy words from Rukmi, immediately shot an arrow. Krishna cut all his weapon to pieces. Krishna took out His sharp sword and was about to kill Rukmi. Just then, Rukmini, fell down at Krishna’s lotus feet and in a very grievous tone, trembling with great fear, began to plead Him to spare life of her brother. Lord Krishna became compassionate and agreed not to kill the foolish Rukmi. At the same time, He wanted to give him some light punishment, so He tied him up with a piece of cloth and snipped at his moustache, beard and hair, keeping some spots here and there. Then, Lord Krishna and Rukmini proceeded towards Dwarka. ⤵
Lord Krishna and Rukmini got married at a place called Madhavpur Ghed, which is a small village, 2½ hrs from Sri Dwarka Dhama.
Sri Vitthala Rukmini temple at Kaundinyapur -
the exact spot of Rukmini’s palace
Kaundinyapur is on the banks of river Wardha
Sri Vitthala Rukmini temple at Kaundinyapur
Sri Vitthala Rukmini temple
Sri Vitthala Rukmini temple
Sri Vitthala Rukmini
Their Lordships Sri Vitthala Rukmini
Sri Vitthala Rukmini
10,000 years old Sri Vishnu deity
10,000 years old Sri Vishnu deity
Sri Vitthala Rukmini temple
Sri Vitthala Rukmini temple
Sant Tukaram - a great devotee of Lord Krishna
Sri Eknath Ji - a great devotee of Lord Krishna
ISKCON Kaundinyapur
At Kaundinyapur there is very beautiful ISKCON Temple. It is located in serene surroundings on a small hillock, at a walking distance from the main Rukmini temple. Sri Giriraj Govardhana are the presiding deities. Temple has Goshala and a nice Guesthouse.
Unique feature of this Temple is - rare Keli Kadamba trees are there in the temple premises. Keli Kadamba and Tamala trees are the most auspicious. Apart from Vrindavana and Mayapur, they rarely grow. Rare presence of ‘Kadamba’ tree at this place indicates that the Lotus Feet (‘Kadam’) of Lord Krishna were there at this very spot, i.e. Lord Krishna came here at this very place.
This temple is developed by the inspiration of ISKCON leader His Holiness Lokanath Swami Maharaj. A small group of devotees live here & take care of the devotional services. Oranges and cotton plantations are grown in abundance in this area.
ISKCON Kaundinyapur
Entrance of ISKCON Kaundinyapur temple
ISKCON Kaundinyapur temple
Sri Giriraj Govardhana are the presiding deities
Beautiful paintings of pastimes of Lord Krishna
Beautiful paintings of pastimes of Lord Krishna
Beautiful paintings of pastimes of Lord Krishna
Beautiful paintings of pastimes of Lord Krishna
ISKCON Kaundinyapur temple
Mother cow
Lord Krishna’s beautiful cows at Goshala of ISKCON Kaundinyapur temple
Goshala at ISKCON Kaundinyapur temple
Sri Sri Jagannatha Baladeva Subhadra at ISKCON Kaundinyapur temple
Sri Sri Jagannatha Baladeva Subhadra at ISKCON Kaundinyapur temple
Rare most auspicious Keli Kadamba trees. Rare presence of ‘Kadamba’ tree at this place indicates that the Lotus Feet (‘Kadam’) of Lord Krishna were there at this very spot. i.e. Lord Krishna came here at this very place.
Most auspicious Keli Kadamba trees
Most auspicious Keli Kadamba trees
Most auspicious Keli Kadamba trees
When Lord Dwarkadisha Sri Krishna came to kidnap Rukmini, then some of the flowers of His garland fell here.
From those flowers these Keli Kadamba trees sprouted.
Most auspicious Keli Kadamba trees
Rukmini Rath
Sri Dwarkadisha Krishna and Rukmini
ISKCON Kaundinyapur temple inaugration
ISKCON Kaundinyapur temple inaugration
Kaundinyapur
ISKCON Kaundinyapur temple
Lord Krishna
His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu
Lotus flowers at Kaundinyapur
Oranges 🍊 and Cotton grow in abundance near Kaundinyapur and Nagpur
Cotton plantations
Krishna book chapters 52, 43 and 54 describe this pastime in details.
Chapter 52 - Krishna, the Ranacora: www.vedabase.com/en/kb/52
Chapter 53 - Krishna Kidnaps Rukmini: www.vedabase.com/en/kb/53
Chapter 54 - Krishna Defeats All the Princes and Takes Rukmini Home to Dwarka: https://www.vedabase.com/en/kb/54
Iskcon Kaundinyapur Temple Inauguration: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=14164
Pune Yatra: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=53814
Mayapur TV: http://Mayapur.tv / Vrindavana TV: https://vrindavan.tv/
Holy Pilgrimages: www.Holy-Pilgrimages.com / Facebook: www.facebook.com/HolyPilgrimages
Holy Dham: www.HolyDham.com
HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE |
HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE ||