Nidhivan is a holy arbor located in Vrindavan. Shri Radha and Shri Krishna performed Raas Leela in Nidhivan.
What does Raas Leela actually mean?
The word “Raas” originates from the word “Ras”.
“Rasaanaam samuha raasah”– It means cumulation of ras is raas.
In Taittiriya Upanishad 2:7:1, it is said-
“Raso Vai Sah Rasam Hy Evayam Labdhvanandi Bhavati”.
“He himself is ras, the mellow of a particular relationship. Surely, one who attains this ras becomes blissful, filled with bliss.”
In Bhakti, there are five types of Ras based on the relationship between a devotee and Bhagavan. They are Santa, Dasya, Sakhya, Vatsalya and Madhurya. Raas Leela is the highest stage of Madhurya Ras.
Shrimad Bhagavat is considered the body of Lord Shri Krishna. Raas Leela is described in the five chapters from the 29th to the 33rd of the tenth canto of Shrimad Bhagavat. They are called Raas Panchadhyayi. These five chapters are regarded as the five pranas (life air) of Shrimad Bhagavat.
In Nidhivan, there is a sacred well which is known as Vishakha kund. Lord Shri Krishna created this well with the help of his wonderful flute to relieve the thirst of Vishakha Sakhi. There are many trees in Nidhivan. The trees are believed to be the form of gopis.
There is a small temple which is known as Rang Mahal in Nidhivan. It is called the Shringar Ghar of Shri Radha Rani where a bed is kept for Radha and Krishna to take rest. In Rang Mahal, Krishna decorates Radha Rani.
There is another temple located in Nidhivan that is known as “Banshi Chor Radha Rani”. Here Radha Rani steals the flute of Shri Krishna. It is the only temple in the world, where Radha Rani is playing flute
Nidhivan is very famous as the place of intense devotional practice of Swami Shri Haridas Ji. Swami Shri Haridas is a Rasik Saint of Vrindavan who was the incarnation of Shri Lalita Sakhi, one of the most confidential female friends of Shri Radha and Shri Krishna in Nitya Vrindavan. He was the author of ‘Kelimal’. It is a poetic epic in which the daily pastimes of Shri Radha and Krishna were written and composed. Swami Haridas Ji himself had witnessed the sweet past times of Sri Radha and Shri Krishna at Nidhivan and then put them into words. There is one temple called Banke Bihari Pragatya Sthali where the divine vigrah of Bankey Bihari appeared for Swami Shri Haridas Ji. By his sangeet sadhana, Shri Radha and Shri Krishna appeared before him, and on the request of Shri Swami Ji the divine couple merged into one and the deity of Banke Bihari appeared there. The deity was established in Nidhivan earlier, but in due course of time, it was established at the present Shri Banke Bihari Temple. Shri Banke Bihari Ji has attracted lakhs of devotees with his wonderful eyes and beautiful form. Many devotees have been experiencing his miracles.
It is believed that even today Shri Radha and Shri Krishna perform Raas Leela with gopis in Nidhivan at night.
Kunja Bihari Shri Haridas Ki Jai
Shri Banke Bihari Lal Ki Jai
