One of the most prominent pastime places in Bhandirvan is the Bhandirvata Banyan tree. On a yatra to Bhandirvan in 1998, Radhanath Swami, sitting under the Bhandirvata tree, narrated the wonderful playful pastime of the marriage of Shri Shri Radha and Krishna from Srila Jiva Goswami’s Gopal Champu. When Krsna and Shrimati Radharani were children of about only four years old, once while walking through the beautiful Bhandirvan forest they came to this Bhandirvata tree. By His inconceivable Leela Shakti, Krsna manifested His Kishora form of about 15 years old while Shrimati Radharani manifested Her Kishori form. Just then the intimate Sakhis headed by Lalita Sakhi had a beautiful throne arranged for Them and began to perform a marriage ceremony for Shri Shri Radha and Krsna. At that time Lord Brahma being attracted appeared there and began to chant the four Vedas. He became the chief priest for this marriage. Then other demigods like Lord Shiva and great sages like Narada also descended to participate. There was an exchange of garlands between the Divine Couple, chanting of mantras amidst the beautiful decorations made by the Gopis of Vrindavan. And in this way the playful Leela of Radha and Krsna’s marriage happened. Radhanath Swami with a chuckle added that of course, the marriage was not official and after the marriage was complete all the demigods, Gopis, everyone left. And then Krsna again became a little four year old boy and Shrimati Radharani became a little four year old girl, and they returned to Their homes. There are beautiful deities of Shri Shri Radha Bhandirbihari at Bhandirvata. Radhanath Swami stated that the speciality of these deities is that Krsna is putting Sindur (Vermilion powder) on the forehead of Shrimati Radharani indicating Their marriage.
– Radhanath Swami
