Ma Jahnava Baithaka / Ma Jahnava Ghata

This is the place on the banks of Radha-kunda where Lord Nityananda’s eternal consort Shrimati Jahnava Mata would sit every day to chant japa during her pilgrimage to Radha-kunda in 1582. The word ‘baithaka’ means a ‘sitting place’. Located next to the baithaka is the sacred ghata where Jahnava Mata would take bathe in the divine waters of Radha-kunda. The ghata was later named Ma Jahnava Ghata. It is also interesting to note that the exact spot where Jahnava Mata sat to chant japa, is the very same location in Krishna’s aprakata-lila pastimes, where a crystal staircase leads to the personal nikunja of Ananga Manjari, which is situated in the very center of Radha-kunda. According to the Gaura-ganoddesha-dipika, in Krishna’s Vrindavana pastimes Jahnava Mata is non-other than Ananga Manjari, the younger sister of Radharani.