Pāvana Sarovara

Pāvana Sarovara

 is one of the most sacred lakes in the Braj region, located at the foot of Nandishwara Hill in Nandagaon (about 50 km from Vrindavan). It is considered one of the most important pilgrimage sites associated with the childhood of Lord Krishna.

The name "Pāvana" means "purifying", and it is believed that bathing in this lake cleanses a devotee of all sins and material contamination.

1. The Pastimes of Krishna and His Parents

According to Vedic literature and local tradition, when Nanda Maharaja (Krishna's foster father) moved the cowherd community from Gokul to Nandagaon, this lake became a central part of their daily life:

• Krishna’s Daily Bath: It is said that Mother Yashoda would personally bathe Krishna and Balarama here.
• The Cows: Krishna used to bring his hundreds of thousands of cows to this lake every morning and evening to drink its cool, sweet water.
• The Essence of All Holy Rivers: A popular legend states that Mother Yashoda once wished to take Krishna to bathe in the Ganges. To fulfill his mother's wish without traveling far, Krishna manifested the essence of all holy rivers (Ganges, Yamuna, Sarasvati, etc.) into Pāvana Sarovara. Therefore, bathing here is considered equal to bathing in all the holy rivers of India combined.

2. Connection to Sanatana Goswami

In the 16th century, Sanatana Goswami, one of the prominent Six Goswamis of Vrindavan, performed his bhajana (secluded meditation) on the banks of this lake.

• Because of its spiritual purity and seclusion, many saints and practitioners have lived here to focus on their devotion.
• Even today, devotees visit the Bhajana Kutir (small meditation hut) of Sanatana Goswami located near the lake.

3. Location and Visiting in 2025

If you are visiting the Braj region in 2025, Pāvana Sarovara is typically the first stop for pilgrims entering Nandagaon.

• Location: At the entrance of Nandagaon village, Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh.
• Custom: It is traditional for pilgrims to perform Acamana (sprinkling water on the head) or take a holy dip before climbing the hill to visit the Nanda Bhavan (the palace of Nanda Maharaja).
• Significance: While Vrindavan represents the romantic love of Krishna (Madhurya-rasa), Nandagaon and Pāvana Sarovara represent the intense parental love (Vatsalya-rasa) of his foster parents.

You can find more travel and spiritual information about this site on the Braj 84 Kos Yatraor Vrindavan.de portals.