Location
Dohini Kund is situated in village Chiksauli of Barsana (Mathura). This village is 21 Kms from Chatta Sub  Division of Mathura, which is on NH2 between Mathura and Delhi.
History of the site
Dohini Kund at Barsana is the place where the cows of King Vrishbhanu ji, the father of Srimati Radha Rani, used to be kept and milked. Brajwasis narrate interesting story about this kund. Once Radha was milking her cows and naughty Krishna came here . He told her, “ Radha you do not know how to milk cows, I will teach you.” She innocently agreed and sat near Krishna to learn. Krishna targeted the milk stream on her face and laughed mischievously. He milked so much milk that the whole kund got filled with milk.
Plitght of the site
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| Before restoration |
The kund site abounds in centuries old peelu trees. However this kund was flattened to the ground level and was lost in wilderness. It was being used as play ground by the village children. As per the local history and shilalekh (which has since been stolen), the last it was restored by Todarmal, the Finance Minister of King Akbar.
Neglected for centuries- Braj Foundation takes the initiative
The de-silting and ghat (stone walls) repair work of Dohini Kund was
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| Community meeting at the begining of restoration |
Undertaken in the year 2004-2005 with financial support from Shri Kamal Morarka Ji,Founder Chairman of The Braj Foundation and MD Gannon Dunkerley, Mumbai. We dug up to 13 feet deep till the natural water sources opened up. We made serious and risky efforts to get the encroachments removed from the kund land. Foundation used in house team of architects to design the development plan of the kund. The foundation also laid a pipe line which brings water from a distance of two kms to fill this kund and the same is used to fill this kund. An expense of over Rs 20 lakhs was incurred in the de-silting and repairs of side-walls.
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| Foundation's equipments de-silting Dohini Kund |
Repairing of Ghats in progress |
Splashing water in restored kund |
A detailed project for the restoration and beautification of the entire 8 acre site was submitted in 2006 by the Foundation to the Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India under their Rural Tourism Development Scheme. Basedon this the ministry sanctioned Rs1.06 crore and transferred the money to UP Tourism. The same Dept. is now getting the beautification done as per the plans submitted by the Braj Foundation.
Beautification Plan
Our plan included construction of ornamental fencing and boundary walls around the whole complex, pathways, solar lights, plantation, diorama, shilalekh, stone benches car parking, watchman’s room and signage.
We are happy that most of this work is nearing completion and soon we should be able to maintain this as a happening place both for the Brajwasis and the tourist.
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