Vrajmandal Parikrama: Places of Interest at Talavana

Sankarshana-kunda

This very large lake is known is commonly known as Sankarshana-kunda, but is also known as Baladeva-kunda as well as Balabhadra-kunda. The various names of the kunda refer to Lord Balarama who killed the Denukasura demon here at Talavana. It is said that while herding cows in the Talavana forest, Lord Krishna created this kunda by striking His cow-herding stick into the ground so that the cowherd boys and cows could quench their thirst. The local people usually refer to this lake as Talavana-kunda or Tarasi-kunda.

Baladeva Mandira (Dauji Mandira)

This ancient temple is dedicated to Lord Balarama who killed the Denukasura demon here at Talavana. Within the temple can be seen Lord Balarama along with His eternal consort Shrimati Revati Devi. This temple is known locally as Dauji Mandira. The word Dauji means elder brother and refers to Lord Balarama, Krishna’s elder brother.

—Adapted from the book ‘ Vrajmandal Parikrama’ by Sri Rajshekhar das Brahmachari