Kusum Sarovar

Some 2 km southwest of the much famed Radha Kund, Kusum Sarovar is a historical site and a pond that is counted among the top tourist attractions in Govardhan. It is believed that Radharani (the love interest of Lord Krishna) used to come to this place to collect flowers, and thus, the name comes – from Kusum, which stands for flowers, and Sarovar for the pond. Such is the charm of this beautiful pond that one can spend hours soaking in the enduring beauty and serenity of this historical site in Govardhan. Kusum Sarovar is one of those famous places of tourist interest that lies on the route of Govardhan Parikrama. Adding a unique grandeur to the setting of Kusum Sarovar is the imposing monumental structure in the backdrop which was built by Jawahar Singh - the king of Bharatpur. On all four sides of the Kusum Sarovar, there is a series of steps that lead upward to the historical building. The arcaded walls that surround the pond boast a depth of around 60 m.

Constructed in the year 1764, this historical construction, which also includes cenotaphs was erected in memory of Jawahar Singh’s father - Maharaja Suraj Mall. The main tomb, which is located in the center, boasts an area of 57 sq ft and is built on a beautifully ornamented plinth. On both sides of this tomb, there are located two other historical structures that are equally stunning but are comparatively smaller in size. It is said that these constructions represent the two queens of Maharaja Suraj Mall - Kishori and Hansiya. The entire construction is supported by a 460-460-foot-long race along with a pavilion, which serves as the cover protecting both the ends of the structure. Along with that, this beautiful tourist site in Govardhan also includes 9 two-storey booths that are built in such a magnificent way that together they depict a stunning front.

Not just this, the inner part of the tomb is beautifully adorned with some exquisite paintings depicting the pastimes of Radha and Lord Krishna. Along with that it also houses a replica of the lotus feet of Lord Krishna and Radha. On a whole, Kusum Sarovar is one of those tourist destinations in Uttar Pradesh that serve as the perfect epitome of beauty, history, and serenity in one place.

History of Kusum Sarovar

The magnificent buildings made of red sandstone were built by Jawahar Singh in honor of Raja Suraj Mal, his father, and the famous King of Bharatpur. In 1735, the simple pond was reconstructed by the King of Orchha city, Raja Veer Singh, which was changed into a garden by Maharaja Suraj Mal for his queen, Kishori Rani. This is the reason why Jawahar Singh considered it a memento of his parents. The Raja's monument is flanked on both sides, commemorating his two queens - Hansiyat Devi and Kishori Devi.

Architecture of Kusum Sarovar

The architectural beauty of Kusum Sarovar is spellbinding. The central chhatri is square-shaped, with a lofty stone terrace adorned with corner booths and lateral bays. Raised on an ornamented plinth in the center is the principal monument. The central chhatri is flanked on both sides by two other monuments supported on a 460 feet terrace, commemorating Raja Suraj Mal's two queens - Hansiyat Devi and Kishori Devi. There is a huge garden filled with blooming flowers of various kinds, behind this building.
At the front of the monuments lies the huge masonry tank, Kusum Sarovar, which has a flight of stairs on all four sides leading down to the deep water reservoir. The paneled and arcade walls enclosing the tank on four sides run about 60 feet into the water. The splendid building dedicated to Raja Suraj Mal has a replica of Lord Krishna and Radharani's lotus feet. The ceilings and walls are decorated with exquisite paintings depicting the life of Krishna and Radha and the events from the history of the family to which it is dedicated.