20. Ter Kadamba
Objectives:
Objective 1: To understand the importance of Ter Kadamba and remember the sacred pastimes of Lord Krishna at Ter Kadamba, including the calling of cows and the stealing of the Gopis’ garments.
Ter Kadamba, near Nandgaon in Braj, is a significant place where Lord Krishna is believed to have called his cows and played his flute. It’s also known as the place where Shri Rupa Goswami performed devotional practices (Bhajan) and wrote scriptures on Radha Krishna, at the instruction of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. The name “Ter Kadamba” comes from “Ter” meaning “to call” and “Kadamba” referring to the Kadamba Tree, where Krishna would sit and call his cows.
It is believed that Krishna would climb a Kadamba Tree after his cow-herding activities (go-charana-lila) and call his cows from there by playing his flute.
Ter Kadamba Tree,
where Krishna hide Himself &
stole the clothes of Gopis;
Objective 2: To highlight the historical and devotional significance of Shri Rupa Goswami’s bhajana and scriptural contributions at Ter Kadamba.
During olden days, there were no temples in Vrindavana, which was full of dense forests. Srila Ruba Goswami lived under the Trees, under a thorn bush or in a vacant crocodile-hole. They remained for short periods to perform bhajana in Ter Kadamba, Varsana, Radha-kunda and the Radha Damodar temple area.
Shri Rupa Goswami’s Bhajan:
Shri Rupa Goswami, a prominent follower of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, chose Ter Kadamba as a place for performing his Bhajans. He also wrote scriptures about Radha and Krishna here.
Gopashtami Celebrations:
The Gopashtami festival, marking the day when Mother Yashoda first sent Krishna to herd calves, is celebrated here with traditional rituals, according to Braj Ras.
Spiritual Significance:
The place is considered highly Sacred, and Chanting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra here is believed to be equivalent to chanting it many times elsewhere.
Temple and Platform:
A temple has been built amidst a group of Kadamba trees, and a platform commemorates Krishna’s pastimes at the site.
Entry of Ter Kadamba Tree
Beautiful Way for Ter Kadamba Tree
The fragrance of the Kadamba flowers and the echo of the flute immerse the mind in divine bliss. Entering here is not stepping into an ordinary place—it is like entering the sacred journey where Lord Krishna’s pastimes unfolded. The earthy scent of Braj, the lush greenery on either side, and the chanting voices of devotees together guide the way along this holy path. Walking this path, with every step, the pastimes of Krishna herding cows and the enchanting Raas Leela with the Gopis vividly appear before the mind’s eye.
Objective 3: To preserve and promote the Spiritual Heritage of Ter Kadamba as a sacred bhajan-sthali in Braj.
Stealing the Garments of the Gopis
and hidden by Krishna
Appreciating Vrindavan:
Chir Ghat is one of the holy ghats (series of steps leading down to a water body) on the banks of the river Yamuna. This is the place where the famous pastime of Krishna stealing the clothes of the young Gopis (Cowherd Maidens) of Vrindavan took place. This place was earlier just on the banks of River Yamuna. But over the years, as Yamuna has changed its course, now Chir Ghat stands at some distance from the Yamuna. There is an ancient Kadamba tree at this place which is still existing since the time of Lord Krishna. Gopis were all pure devotees of Lord Krishna and wanted to attain Krishna as their husband. At this very place, they performed the Katyayani Vrata, in which they would worship Mother Katyayani and pray to her in order to get the beautiful Son of Nanda Maharaj as their husband. Every day the Gopis would come to this Ghat to take their baths and worship Mother Katyayani.
Krishna is stealing clothes of Gopis
Objective 4: To educate devotees about the philosophical meaning behind Krishna’s pastimes at Chira Ghata and to highlight the importance of Ter Kadamba in Gaudiya Vaishnavism and its role in major festivals like Gopashtami.
In order to fulfil their desires to have Him as husband, Krishna very mercifully stole their clothes on one fine day when they were taking their baths at this Ghat, and brought them upon this very holy Kadamba tree. Devotees of Vrindavan still worship this tree and even make offerings to this tree.
It is said that one can understand the pastimes of the Supreme Lord only by hearing from great souls who have realized the Absolute Truth. This pastime of Krishna stealing the clothes of the Gopis may seem to be some mundane affair between a young boy and some girls. But Radhanath Swami gives the real import of this pastime as being the epitome of the soul’s complete surrender to the Supreme Lord by giving up attachment for the clothes of gross outer covering of our subtle and gross bodies. The soul must be purified of all gross and subtle desires.
At this place one should make a prayer to Krishna that, “Krishna, here I offer my life, I offer my false ego, my body, my mind, my words, my thoughts, everything. Please take it all away, so that my true self can be given as an offering at your lotus feet.” One should be confident that if we offer our prayers sincerely, unto that holy Kalpavriksha tree, our prayers will be heard and answered.
Therkadamba Tree Sri Krishna andDhyana Mandapam
Devotees meditating under the Therkadamba tree
In the sacred shade of the holy Kadamba tree, minds gather in peace, deeply meditating on the divine pastimes of Lord Krishna, experiencing spiritual bliss. Within their hearts grows a vast ocean of complete devotion and love and peace flourish abundantly at this sacred place.
