Question 1

What is Ter Kadamba in Nandgaon?

Accepted Answer

Ter Kadamba is a sacred site near Nandgaon, on the road to Javat, revered as the place where, by the tradition, Krishna sat in the kadamba tree while grazing his cows and called them by name on the sweet notes of his flute, so that they came running to him. It is also the beloved bhajan seat of the great Gaudiya saint Srila Rupa Goswami. A temple, a leela-staging platform and the kadamba grove mark the spot. So Ter Kadamba is a place of Krishna's pastoral leelas and of the devotion of Rupa Goswami, in the western Braj near Nandgaon.

Question 2

What does the name Ter Kadamba mean?

Accepted Answer

The name Ter Kadamba comes from ter, a word of the Braj tongue meaning to call or to summon and kadamba, the kadamba tree beloved of Krishna; so Ter Kadamba means the kadamba of the calling, the tree from which Krishna called. It marks the spot where, by the tradition, Krishna sat in the kadamba tree and called his cows and the gopis, by name on his flute. So the name itself captures the tender leela of the place. We present its meaning and its leela as the cherished tradition of Braj, held with faith by the devotees of the sacred grove.

Question 3

Ter Kadamba Nandgaon mein kahan hai?

Accepted Answer

Ter Kadamba, Nandgaon ke paas, Javat jaane waali sadak par hai, paschimi Braj mein. Yahi wah sthan hai jahan parampara ke anusaar, Krishna gaayon ko charaate hue kadamb ke ped par baithkar apni bansuri par gaayon ko unke naam se pukaarte the, aur gaayein daudkar aa jaati theen. Yah Gaudiya sant Srila Rupa Goswami ka bhajan-sthal bhi hai. Yahan ek mandir aur kadamb ka van hai. Nandgaon, Barsana se 9 km aur Mathura se lagbhag 50 km door hai. Darshan nishulk hai. Ise Nandgaon aur Barsana ke saath ghuma ja sakta hai.

Question 4

Why is Ter Kadamba famous?

Accepted Answer

Ter Kadamba is famous as the place where, by the tradition, Krishna sat in the kadamba tree and called his cows by name on his flute, a tender and beloved leela of Krishna the cowherd and where he called the gopis too. It is famous also as the bhajan seat of the great Gaudiya saint Srila Rupa Goswami, who sang here the praises of Radha and Krishna and for the beautiful samaj gayan on Gopashtami. So it is famous as a place of Krishna's pastoral leelas and of deep devotion. We present its leelas as the cherished tradition of Braj, held with faith.

Question 5

Is Ter Kadamba worth visiting?

Accepted Answer

Yes, especially for those who love the tender pastoral leelas of Krishna and the deeper, quieter sacred sites of Braj; Ter Kadamba is a beautiful, peaceful grove near Nandgaon, revered for Krishna calling his cows and for the bhajan of Rupa Goswami, with a temple, the kadamba grove and the staging of the leelas. Off the main tourist track, it rewards the pilgrim who comes knowing its sweet story. So for a fuller, more devotional western-Braj pilgrimage, Ter Kadamba is well worth visiting, combined with Nandgaon and Barsana. It is a gentle, moving place.

Question 6

Is Ter Kadamba a temple or a grove?

Accepted Answer

Ter Kadamba is both: it is a sacred grove of kadamba trees, revered as the place of Krishna's calling of the cows and the bhajan of Rupa Goswami and it holds a temple, the Ter Kadamba Mandir, where devotees take darshan, along with a platform where the leelas are staged. So it is a sacred grove with a temple, a leela-sthali of the pastimes of Krishna. This gives it a gentle, pastoral, devotional character, different from a grand enclosed temple. So a visit takes in the temple, the grove and the atmosphere of the tender leelas of the place, near Nandgaon.

Question 7

Is Ter Kadamba connected to Radha and Krishna?

Accepted Answer

Yes; by the tradition, Radha and Krishna spent time and played their pastimes at Ter Kadamba and it is here that Krishna, from the kadamba tree, called the gopis and the raas unfolded on the full-moon nights; the site is also the bhajan seat of Rupa Goswami, who sang the praises of Radha and Krishna here. So Ter Kadamba is deeply connected to the leelas of Radha and Krishna and their devotion. We present these pastimes, as we do all the leelas of Braj, as the cherished belief and tradition of the sampradayas, held with faith and recounted with reverence, in a devotional spirit.

Question 8

Is Ter Kadamba near Nandgaon or Barsana?

Accepted Answer

Ter Kadamba is near Nandgaon, the town of Krishna, on the road that runs from Nandgaon towards Javat, in the western Braj; Barsana, the town of Radha, is about 9 km away through Nandgaon. So it lies just outside Nandgaon, easily combined with both the town of Krishna and, a little further, Barsana. So Ter Kadamba is a Nandgaon site, closely linked with the western-Braj towns of Krishna and Radha. So visit it along with Nandgaon and Barsana on a western-Braj day, seeing the calling place, the town of Krishna and the town of Radha together.

Question 9

How did Krishna call the cows at Ter Kadamba?

Accepted Answer

By the tradition, in the afternoons while grazing the cows of Braj, Krishna would climb and sit in the kadamba tree at Ter Kadamba and play his flute, calling the cows by their names on its sweet notes; the cows, unable to resist the enchanting sound, would gather to him from across the pastures. Krishna would count them on the jewels of his necklace and if any were missing, play their names again until all had come, then return them home. So this is the tender leela of the calling of the cows. We present it as the cherished tradition of Braj, held with faith.

Question 10

Did Krishna know the cows by name?

Accepted Answer

By the tradition, yes; Krishna knew and loved each of the many cows of Braj by name and at Ter Kadamba he would call them by their names on the notes of his flute and they would come running to him and he would count them on his necklace to see that all were present. This tender leela shows the loving bond between Krishna and the cows of Braj, dear to the pastoral devotion of the land. So the calling of the cows by name is the beloved leela of Ter Kadamba. We present it as the cherished tradition of Braj, held with faith by the devotees of the grove.

Question 11

Why did Krishna sit in the kadamba tree?

Accepted Answer

By the tradition, Krishna would climb and sit in the kadamba tree at Ter Kadamba while grazing the cows in the afternoon, both to rest in its shade and to play his flute and call the cows and the gopis from its branches. The kadamba, a beautiful flowering tree, is beloved of Krishna and common in Braj and often features in his leelas. So the kadamba tree is central to the leela and the name of Ter Kadamba, the tree of the calling. We present the leela of the tree as the cherished tradition of Braj, held with faith, one of the tender pastimes of Krishna the cowherd.

Question 12

How did Krishna count the cows?

Accepted Answer

By the tradition, after calling the cows by name on his flute at Ter Kadamba, Krishna would count them on the jewels or beads of his necklace, checking that all had come; and if any were still missing, he would play their names again on the flute until every cow had gathered and only then take them home to their sheds. So the counting of the cows on his necklace is a sweet detail of the leela of Ter Kadamba, showing Krishna's loving care for every cow of Braj. We present it as the cherished tradition of Braj, held with faith by the devotees of the grove.

Question 13

Did Krishna call the gopis at Ter Kadamba?

Accepted Answer

By the tradition, yes; besides calling the cows, Krishna would call the gopis, the cowherd maidens, from the kadamba tree at Ter Kadamba, playing their names on the sweet notes of his flute and they would come to him, their hearts drawn by the irresistible sound, forgetting their worldly cares. And here, in the tradition, the raas, the divine dance, unfolded on the full-moon nights. So Ter Kadamba is a place of the loving calling of the gopis as well as the cows. We present these leelas as the cherished belief and tradition of Braj, held with faith and recounted with reverence, in a devotional spirit.

Question 14

What is the significance of the flute at Ter Kadamba?

Accepted Answer

The flute, the bansi of Krishna, is central to the leelas of Ter Kadamba, for it was on its sweet, enchanting notes that Krishna called the cows and the gopis by name from the kadamba tree and none, cow or gopi, could resist its irresistible sound. The flute is the beloved instrument of Krishna's leelas throughout Braj. So the flute is at the heart of the calling for which Ter Kadamba is named and loved. We present the leela of the flute as the cherished tradition of Braj, held with faith, part of the tender pastoral pastimes of the sacred grove near Nandgaon.

Question 15

Is the raas leela connected to Ter Kadamba?

Accepted Answer

By the tradition, yes; besides the calling of the cows, Ter Kadamba is revered, in the belief, as a place where Krishna called the gopis from the kadamba tree and the raas, the divine dance, unfolded on the full-moon nights, the sweet play of Radha, Krishna and the gopis. So the raas is among the leelas cherished at Ter Kadamba. We present the raas, as we do all such pastimes, as the cherished belief and tradition of the sampradayas of Braj, held with faith and recounted with reverence, never sensationalized, part of the devotional heritage of the grove.

Question 16

What pastimes took place at Ter Kadamba?

Accepted Answer

By the tradition, the pastimes of Ter Kadamba include Krishna calling the cows by name on his flute from the kadamba tree, counting them on his necklace; his calling of the gopis, who came to him drawn by the flute; the raas on the full-moon nights; and, in the tradition, the time Radha and Krishna spent and played here. It is also the site of the bhajan and the sweet-rice pastime of Rupa Goswami. So Ter Kadamba holds many tender pastimes. We present them as the cherished belief and tradition of Braj, held with faith and recounted with reverence.

Question 17

Who was Srila Rupa Goswami?

Accepted Answer

Srila Rupa Goswami was one of the greatest saints of the Gaudiya tradition, one of the Six Goswamis of Vrindavan, the learned disciples of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu who recovered the sacred sites of Braj and wrote its great devotional literature. He is revered as a supreme teacher of devotion and the author of foundational Gaudiya works. Ter Kadamba is cherished as his bhajan seat, where he sat in devotion, singing the praises of Radha and Krishna. So Rupa Goswami is a towering figure of the tradition, honoured at Ter Kadamba. We present his greatness as the tradition of the Gaudiya sampradaya holds it, with reverence.

Question 18

Why is Ter Kadamba connected to Rupa Goswami?

Accepted Answer

Ter Kadamba is revered as the bhajan seat, the bhajan-sthali, of Srila Rupa Goswami, where, by the tradition, he sat under the kadamba trees, absorbed in his devotion, singing and composing the praises of Radha and Krishna and writing his great works; his brother Sanatana Goswami would walk from afar to visit him here. So the site is hallowed by the bhajan of Rupa Goswami as well as by the leelas of Krishna. So Ter Kadamba is a place of deep Gaudiya devotion. We present the life and bhajan of Rupa Goswami as the cherished tradition of the sampradaya holds them, with respect.

Question 19

What is the sweet rice pastime of Rupa Goswami?

Accepted Answer

A beloved pastime of the Gaudiya tradition is told of Ter Kadamba: that once, when Rupa Goswami wished to prepare sweet rice for his brother Sanatana Goswami and the Vaishnavas but had nothing, a beautiful young girl of Braj brought him milk, rice and sugar and he made the offering; and it was later understood, in the tradition, that it was Radha Herself who had come to serve her devotee out of love. So the sweet-rice pastime shows the grace of Radha to her devotee, a cherished story of the place. We present it as the cherished belief and tradition of the Gaudiya sampradaya, held with faith.

Question 20

Did Radha serve Rupa Goswami at Ter Kadamba?

Accepted Answer

By the Gaudiya tradition, yes; in the beloved sweet-rice pastime, when Rupa Goswami wished to make an offering but had nothing, a beautiful young girl brought him milk, rice and sugar and it was later understood, in the tradition, that it was Radha Herself who had come to serve her devotee out of love for his devotion. So the tradition holds that Radha graced Rupa Goswami at Ter Kadamba. We present this pastime as the cherished belief and tradition of the Gaudiya sampradaya, held with faith and recounted with reverence, one of the sweet stories that hallow the sacred grove near Nandgaon.

Question 21

What did Rupa Goswami do at Ter Kadamba?

Accepted Answer

By the tradition, Rupa Goswami sat at Ter Kadamba under the kadamba trees, absorbed in his bhajan, his devotional singing and remembrance and in composing the praises of Radha and Krishna and writing his great Gaudiya works, in the peace of the grove near Nandgaon. So Ter Kadamba was his bhajan-sthali, a place of his deep devotion and scholarship. So a visit to Ter Kadamba is also a visit to the memory of Rupa Goswami's devotion. We present his bhajan and works as the cherished tradition of the Gaudiya sampradaya holds them, with respect, part of the devotional heritage of the sacred site.

Question 22

Did Sanatana Goswami visit Ter Kadamba?

Accepted Answer

By the tradition, yes; Sanatana Goswami, the elder brother of Rupa Goswami and himself one of the Six Goswamis, would walk from afar to visit Rupa at his bhajan seat at Ter Kadamba and the beloved sweet-rice pastime is told of one such visit, when Rupa wished to offer sweet rice to Sanatana and the Vaishnavas. So Sanatana Goswami is connected to Ter Kadamba through his visits to his brother. We present these accounts as the cherished tradition of the Gaudiya sampradaya, held with faith, part of the devotional heritage of the sacred grove near Nandgaon.

Question 23

Is Ter Kadamba important for Gaudiya devotees?

Accepted Answer

Yes; Ter Kadamba is deeply important for devotees of the Gaudiya tradition as the bhajan seat of Srila Rupa Goswami, one of the Six Goswamis of Vrindavan and as the place of the beloved sweet-rice pastime of Radha's grace, as well as of the leelas of Krishna the cowherd. So Gaudiya pilgrims cherish and visit Ter Kadamba as a holy site of their tradition. So for followers of the Gaudiya path, Ter Kadamba is a precious place of pilgrimage. We present its significance to the Gaudiya sampradaya as the tradition holds it, with respect, one of the revered sites of the western Braj.

Question 24

Can I see Rupa Goswami's bhajan place at Ter Kadamba?

Accepted Answer

By the tradition, Ter Kadamba is the bhajan seat of Rupa Goswami and pilgrims come to the grove and the temple to honour the place where he sat in his devotion under the kadamba trees; the sacred grove and the site itself are revered as his bhajan-sthali. So a visit to Ter Kadamba is a visit to the place of Rupa Goswami's bhajan, cherished by Gaudiya devotees. A local guide can tell you the story and show the revered spots. We present the bhajan seat as the cherished tradition of the Gaudiya sampradaya holds it, with respect, part of the devotional heritage of the site.

Question 25

Is there a temple at Ter Kadamba?

Accepted Answer

Yes; Ter Kadamba is marked by a temple, the Ter Kadamba Mandir, where devotees take darshan and experience the pastimes of Radha and Krishna, along with the sacred kadamba grove and a platform where the leelas are staged. So besides the grove, there is a temple for darshan at Ter Kadamba. It is a modest, devotional temple in keeping with the pastoral, out-of-the-way character of the site, rather than a grand monument. So a visit brings darshan at the temple, the atmosphere of the grove, and, at the right times, the staging of the leelas. We present it as the tradition of the site holds it.

Question 26

What is the platform at Ter Kadamba for?

Accepted Answer

At Ter Kadamba there is a platform where, on festive occasions, the mischievous and loving pastimes of Radha and Krishna are staged by local artists dressed as the divine couple, bringing the leelas to life before the devotees, a beautiful and cherished feature of the site. So the platform is for the staging of the leelas, a devotional dramatisation of the pastimes of Radha and Krishna. So a visit at the right time may bring this lovely staging of the leelas. We present the staged pastimes as the cherished tradition of Braj, held with faith, part of the living devotion of the sacred grove near Nandgaon.

Question 27

What can I see at Ter Kadamba?

Accepted Answer

At Ter Kadamba you can take darshan at the Ter Kadamba Mandir; sit in the sacred kadamba grove, revered as the place of Krishna's calling of the cows and the bhajan of Rupa Goswami; see the platform where the leelas are staged; and, at festivals like Gopashtami, enjoy the samaj gayan and the dramatisation of the pastimes. So there is the temple, the grove and, at the right times, the staging and singing. So a visit takes in the temple, the grove and the tender atmosphere of the leelas. We present the leelas remembered and staged here as the cherished tradition of Braj, held with faith.

Question 28

Is Ter Kadamba a peaceful place?

Accepted Answer

Yes; Ter Kadamba, being a grove and temple in the countryside near Nandgaon, off the main tourist track, is usually a calm and peaceful place, quieter than the famous temples, with a gentle, pastoral, devotional atmosphere, ideal for reflection and quiet darshan. It becomes busier at Gopashtami and on festival days, with the samaj gayan and the crowds. So for a serene, reflective visit, come on an ordinary day; for the fervour, come at Gopashtami. So Ter Kadamba is a peaceful, tender place much of the time, a lovely spot for devotion in the western Braj near Nandgaon.

Question 29

What is the kadamba grove at Ter Kadamba?

Accepted Answer

The kadamba grove is the heart of Ter Kadamba, the trees from which, by the tradition, Krishna called his cows and the gopis and under which Rupa Goswami did his bhajan; the kadamba, a beautiful flowering tree beloved of Krishna, gives the place its name and its pastoral, sacred atmosphere. So the grove is central to the site, revered for its leelas and its bhajan heritage. So a visit to Ter Kadamba includes sitting in and honouring the sacred kadamba grove, the tree of the calling. We present the sanctity of the grove as the cherished tradition of Braj, held with faith by the devotees of the site.

Question 30

How much time do I need at Ter Kadamba?

Accepted Answer

Allow an unhurried half hour or more at Ter Kadamba, to take darshan at the temple, sit in the sacred grove and picture the tender leelas of the place; more if you come for Gopashtami and the samaj gayan or combine it with Nandgaon and the western-Braj sites. It is a place to slow down and absorb rather than rush. So give it a half hour or so or longer for a festival or a fuller western-Braj day. A local guide helps you understand the leelas and the story of Rupa Goswami. So Ter Kadamba rewards an unhurried, reverent pause in the grove.

Question 31

What is Gopashtami at Ter Kadamba?

Accepted Answer

Gopashtami is the special festival of Ter Kadamba, the festival that celebrates Krishna becoming a cowherd, taking the cows to graze for the first time, supremely fitting at this place of the calling of the cows. On Gopashtami, devotees gather at Ter Kadamba to enjoy the divine samaj gayan, the congregational singing, often with a dramatisation by local boys dressed as Krishna and Balaram. So Gopashtami is the most fitting and fervent time at Ter Kadamba. We present the festival as the tradition of Braj holds it. Our festival guides cover Gopashtami and its date, which falls in the autumn.

Question 32

What is samaj gayan at Ter Kadamba?

Accepted Answer

Samaj gayan is a beautiful form of congregational devotional singing performed by the locals in the temple at Ter Kadamba, especially on Gopashtami, often accompanied by a dramatisation of the leelas by local boys dressed as Krishna and Balaram, a cherished devotional art of the place. So the samaj gayan is a highlight of a festival visit to Ter Kadamba, the community singing the praises of Radha and Krishna. So time a visit for Gopashtami to enjoy the samaj gayan and the staging of the leelas. We present the samaj gayan as the cherished tradition of Braj, held with faith, part of the living devotion of the site.

Question 33

When is Gopashtami celebrated?

Accepted Answer

Gopashtami falls in the autumn month of Kartik, on the eighth day of the bright fortnight, shortly after Diwali, the date following the lunar calendar and shifting each year. It celebrates Krishna becoming a cowherd and taking the cows to graze and is especially fitting and celebrated at Ter Kadamba, the place of the calling of the cows. So Gopashtami falls in the autumn; check the year's date to plan a visit. Our festival calendar covers Gopashtami and the festivals of Braj. So consider timing a visit to Ter Kadamba for Gopashtami, for the samaj gayan and the fervour of the festival of the cowherd Krishna.

Question 34

What other festivals are celebrated at Ter Kadamba?

Accepted Answer

Besides Gopashtami, its special festival, Ter Kadamba shares in the great festivals of Krishna and Radha kept across the western Braj, with devotion and, at times, the staging of the leelas and the samaj gayan; the full-moon nights, revered for the raas, are also cherished. So Gopashtami is its own special day, with the wider Braj festivals kept too. At these times the grove is more fervent and busier. So visit at a festival for the fervour or on an ordinary day for the grove's pastoral calm. Our festival calendar covers the festivals of Braj and their dates.

Question 35

What are the Ter Kadamba timings?

Accepted Answer

Ter Kadamba, being a grove and temple in the countryside rather than a great enclosed temple, is open to pilgrims through the daylight hours, with the temple keeping the general morning-and-evening rhythm of Braj, quieter through the middle of the day. So plan a daytime visit, ideally the calm morning, to take darshan and sit in the grove. Darshan is free. Confirm the temple's hours locally if in doubt. So come to Ter Kadamba in the daylight hours for the fullest and most peaceful experience of the sacred grove of the calling near Nandgaon.

Question 36

Is there an entry fee for Ter Kadamba?

Accepted Answer

No; Ter Kadamba is free to enter and darshan at its temple is free, as throughout Braj. Any offering is voluntary. Be wary of anyone pressing for large donations. So a visit to the sacred grove and temple costs nothing but your time and reverence, apart from your transport and any offering you choose to make. So come freely to Ter Kadamba, take darshan, sit in the grove and honour the place of Krishna's calling of the cows and the bhajan of Rupa Goswami. Keep any offering modest and voluntary, in a devotional spirit.

Question 37

What should I wear to visit Ter Kadamba?

Accepted Answer

Dress modestly for this sacred grove and temple, covering shoulders and knees and wear comfortable shoes suitable for the grove and the countryside, which you may need to remove at the temple. Women may prefer a saree, salwar-kameez or other modest attire and men modest clothing. Carry water, especially in the warmer months and move reverently through the grove. Dressing respectfully honours the sanctity of Ter Kadamba and the devotion of the pilgrims who cherish it. So come modestly dressed and in a devotional spirit to the sacred grove of the calling near Nandgaon.

Question 38

Is Ter Kadamba suitable for elderly pilgrims?

Accepted Answer

Largely yes, with care; Ter Kadamba is a relatively level countryside grove and temple without long climbs, so it is manageable for elderly pilgrims, though the grove and the country paths can be uneven and need an easy pace and sturdy footwear. With comfortable transport and help where needed, a visit is gentle and rewarding for older pilgrims, the grove's calm suiting an unhurried pause. Our guide to visiting with elderly parents covers making a Braj trip comfortable. So Ter Kadamba is accessible for older pilgrims with a little care, a peaceful and moving stop on a western-Braj day.

Question 39

When is the best time to visit Ter Kadamba?

Accepted Answer

The best time is the cool season, roughly October to March, comfortable for the grove and the countryside, avoiding the summer heat and within the day the calm morning. Gopashtami, in the autumn, is the special festival, with the samaj gayan, but busier. For a serene visit, come on an ordinary morning in the cool season, when the grove is at its most peaceful. Our best-time guide covers the seasons for Braj. So visit in the cool season, in the daytime, for the fullest experience or at Gopashtami for the festival of the cowherd Krishna.

Question 40

Do I need a guide for Ter Kadamba?

Accepted Answer

Not strictly, but a guide or a planned tour helps greatly at Ter Kadamba, for much of the meaning of the place lies in its leelas, the calling of the cows and the gopis and the story of Rupa Goswami and the sweet-rice pastime, which a knowledgeable local guide can bring alive. It is especially useful in the quieter western Braj and for finding this out-of-the-way grove. For independent travellers, the site is visitable with a good plan and transport. But for a rich, understanding visit, a guide is a great help. We offer guided western-Braj days taking in Ter Kadamba.

Question 41

How do I reach Ter Kadamba?

Accepted Answer

Ter Kadamba is near Nandgaon, on the road to Javat, in the western Braj. Nandgaon is about 9 km from Barsana, 20 km from Govardhan and about 50 km from Mathura; reach the western Braj by taxi, local transport or a planned tour from Mathura or Vrindavan, then Ter Kadamba just outside Nandgaon. The nearest major railway station is Mathura Junction and the nearest airports are Agra and Delhi. A taxi or tour is the most comfortable way and a local guide makes finding this out-of-the-way grove easy. So reach Ter Kadamba by road, near Nandgaon, on a western-Braj day.

Question 42

How far is Ter Kadamba from Nandgaon?

Accepted Answer

Ter Kadamba is very near Nandgaon, lying just outside the town on the road towards Javat, so it is easily visited together with Nandgaon on one outing; the two are only a short distance apart. So Ter Kadamba is a Nandgaon site, closely linked with the town of Krishna. So combine Ter Kadamba with Nandgaon, seeing Nand Bhavan on the hill, Pavan Sarovar and the calling place together. So from Nandgaon, Ter Kadamba is only a short trip, an easy and rewarding addition to a visit to the town of Krishna in the western Braj.

Question 43

How far is Ter Kadamba from Barsana?

Accepted Answer

Ter Kadamba, near Nandgaon, is about 9 km from Barsana, the town of Radha, through Nandgaon, so the two are easily visited together on a western-Braj day. So from Barsana, Ter Kadamba is a short trip of about 9 km, near the town of Krishna. So combine Ter Kadamba with Barsana and Nandgaon, seeing the calling place, the town of Radha and the town of Krishna together. This closeness makes it easy to take in Ter Kadamba on a western-Braj pilgrimage of the towns of Radha and Krishna. Our western-Braj guides cover the circuit.

Question 44

How far is Ter Kadamba from Mathura?

Accepted Answer

Ter Kadamba, near Nandgaon, is about 50 km from Mathura, in the western Braj, roughly 1.5 hours by road. So it is a day trip from Mathura, usually combined with the other western-Braj sites, Nandgaon, Barsana and Govardhan. Many pilgrims base in Mathura or Vrindavan and visit the western Braj on a day. A taxi or a planned tour is the most comfortable way. So from Mathura, plan about 1.5 hours by road to reach Ter Kadamba, near Nandgaon, on a western-Braj day. Our how-to-reach guide covers arriving in Braj in full.

Question 45

Can I visit Ter Kadamba on a day trip?

Accepted Answer

Yes; Ter Kadamba, near Nandgaon, is easily visited on a day trip from Mathura or Vrindavan, about 50 km away, usually combined with the other western-Braj sites, Nandgaon, Barsana and Govardhan. A common plan is a western-Braj day taking in these towns and the calling place. So a day trip taking in Ter Kadamba and its neighbours is straightforward and rewarding. Our western-Braj tour and day-trip guides cover seeing Ter Kadamba with the region. A taxi or tour is the easiest way. So add Ter Kadamba to a western-Braj day for a fuller pilgrimage.

Question 46

What is near Ter Kadamba?

Accepted Answer

Near Ter Kadamba, in the western Braj, are Nandgaon, the town of Krishna, with Nand Bhavan on the hill and Pavan Sarovar, just beside it; Barsana, the town of Radha, about 9 km away, with the hilltop Radha Rani temple and Gahvar Van; Govardhan, the sacred hill, about 20 km; and Javat, the village, by the tradition, of Radha's married home, on the road beyond. So Ter Kadamba sits amid the sacred sites of the western Braj, easily combined with them. So take in Ter Kadamba along with Nandgaon, Barsana and Govardhan for a fuller western-Braj pilgrimage. Our western-Braj guides cover these sites.

Question 47

Can I combine Ter Kadamba with Nandgaon and Barsana?

Accepted Answer

Yes, naturally; Ter Kadamba is just beside Nandgaon, the town of Krishna and about 9 km from Barsana, the town of Radha, so the three are easily combined on one western-Braj day: the calling place of Ter Kadamba, Nand Bhavan and Pavan Sarovar at Nandgaon and the Radha Rani temple and Gahvar Van at Barsana. Add Govardhan for a fuller day. So combine Ter Kadamba with Nandgaon and Barsana for a rich western-Braj pilgrimage of the towns of Krishna and Radha. Our western-Braj day-trip guide covers seeing them together.

Question 48

What is a good western Braj itinerary with Ter Kadamba?

Accepted Answer

A good western-Braj day is: Govardhan in the early morning, for the hill and kunds; then Nandgaon, for Nand Bhavan, Pavan Sarovar and Ter Kadamba, the calling place; and Barsana, about 9 km away, for the Radha Rani temple and Gahvar Van, around the midday closure. Start from Mathura or Vrindavan and return by evening. This takes in the calling place within a full western-Braj pilgrimage. So build Ter Kadamba into a Nandgaon and western-Braj day. Our day-trip and tour guides set out the plan in detail, taking in the towns of Krishna and Radha.

Question 49

Is Ter Kadamba on the Braj parikrama?

Accepted Answer

Yes; Ter Kadamba, near Nandgaon, is among the sacred sites of the western Braj taken in on the great Braj Chaurasi Kos parikrama, the pilgrimage circuit of the whole sacred land, which draws together Mathura, Vrindavan, Govardhan, Barsana, Nandgaon and the many sacred sites. So pilgrims on the circuit come to Ter Kadamba, the calling place. Whether on the full parikrama or a western-Braj day, Ter Kadamba is a cherished stop in the sacred geography of Braj. Our Chaurasi Kos guide covers the great parikrama. So Ter Kadamba is a node on the Braj pilgrimage, near the town of Krishna.

Question 50

Can you arrange a visit to Ter Kadamba?

Accepted Answer

Yes; we arrange western-Braj days taking in Ter Kadamba, the calling place and its neighbours, Nandgaon, Barsana and Govardhan, with the transport, the routing, the timing and a knowledgeable local guide to bring the leelas of the calling of the cows and the gopis and the bhajan of Rupa Goswami, alive. A shared day tour starts from around ₹1,499 per person, with darshan free throughout. Message us on WhatsApp at +91-7302265809 with your dates to plan a visit to Ter Kadamba and the western Braj, the tender grove of Krishna's calling near Nandgaon.

What it is	Krishna's calling place near Nandgaon
The name	Ter, to call and Kadamba, the tree
The leela	Krishna called the cows by name on his flute
Also	The bhajan seat of Srila Rupa Goswami
Key festival	Gopashtami, with samaj gayan
Where	Near Nandgaon, on the road to Javat

Detail	Information
What it is	Krishna's calling place, a sacred grove near Nandgaon
The name	Ter, to call and Kadamba, the tree
The leela	Krishna called the cows by name on his flute
Also revered as	The bhajan seat of Srila Rupa Goswami
At the site	A temple, a leela-staging platform, the kadamba grove
Key festival	Gopashtami, with samaj gayan
Where	Near Nandgaon, on the road to Javat
Best combined with	Nandgaon, Barsana and the western Braj

Temple	Summer Morning	Summer Evening	Winter Morning	Winter Evening	Key Note
Banke Bihari Temple	07:45 AM - 12:00 PM	05:30 PM - 09:30 PM	08:45 AM - 01:00 PM	04:30 PM - 08:30 PM	Curtain shifts every 30-45 sec; no phones inside
Prem Mandir	07:30 AM - 12:00 PM	04:30 PM - 08:30 PM	08:30 AM - 12:00 PM	04:30 PM - 08:00 PM	Musical Fountain: 7:30 PM summer / 7:00 PM winter
ISKCON Krishna Balram	04:10 AM - 12:45 PM	04:30 PM - 08:30 PM	04:10 AM - 12:45 PM	04:30 PM - 08:30 PM	Mangala Aarti at 05:00 AM daily
Radha Raman Temple	05:00 AM - 12:30 PM	06:00 PM - 09:00 PM	05:30 AM - 12:30 PM	06:00 PM - 09:00 PM	Self-manifested Shaligram deity; 1542 CE
Sri Rangji Mandir	05:30 AM - 10:30 AM	04:00 PM - 09:00 PM	06:00 AM - 11:00 AM	04:00 PM - 09:00 PM	South Indian architecture; gold pillar
Nidhivan Temple	05:00 AM - 08:00 PM	Closed after sunset	06:00 AM - 07:00 PM	Closed after sunset	No entry after evening aarti strictly enforced
Krishna Janmasthan	05:00 AM - 12:00 PM	04:00 PM - 09:30 PM	05:30 AM - 12:00 PM	03:00 PM - 08:30 PM	Photo ID required; no cameras/phones in sanctum
Dwarkadhish Temple	06:30 AM - 10:30 AM	04:00 PM - 07:00 PM	06:30 AM - 10:30 AM	03:30 PM - 06:00 PM	Near ghats; early evening close plan morning
Gita Mandir	05:00 AM - 12:00 PM	02:00 PM - 09:00 PM	05:30 AM - 12:00 PM	02:00 PM - 08:30 PM	700 Gita shlokas carved on pillars
Vishram Ghat Aarti	Open 24 hrs	Aarti: 06:45 PM	Open 24 hrs	Aarti: 06:45 PM	Fixed timing year-round; arrive 6:30 PM

Ter Kadamba, Nandgaon: Where Krishna Called His Cows, a Complete Guide

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Ter Kadamba: an overview

The site at a glance

What is Ter Kadamba?

Krishna calling the cows and the gopis

The bhajan seat of Srila Rupa Goswami

The temple and the site today

Gopashtami and the samaj gayan

Timings and how to visit

How to reach Ter Kadamba

Combining with Nandgaon and the western Braj

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