Braj is a home of over 1000 beautiful historic kunds (Step wells or water tanks). They conserve rainwater and thereby allow the sub-soil water table to be maintained. They have traditionally been used to irrigate local fields, orchards and have sustained the local populace in the drought-hit years. Out of the 1000 kunds in Braj Dham, today, approximately 500 are visible. The rest of them have silted and dried up to the point where they can no longer be recognized.
Many of the step wells which are observable have been converted into garbage dumps or sludge tanks. The embankments (ghats) of most of the kunds are in a dilapidated condition. Catchments areas and land surrounding the Kunds have been encroached at many places. Shri Shri Radha Madhav's holy pastime place Kamvan is also known as Adi Vrindaban. All holy places of pilgrimage have been given residence in Kamvan. The area(Luk Luk Kund) where Lord Shri Krsna played hide and seek, with his cowherd boys, is also located in Kamvan. Today the existence of this kund has been lost due to the negative impact of Kaliyug, lost sentiments, and government bureaucracy. This kund has been divided into pieces of land which has been allotted as farm land to local farmers. During Shri Radha Rani Braj Yatra(Maan Garh Barsana), a vow to preserve this kund has been taken up again and again by the local Brajwasis. People have begun to understand the truth.
Lord Varaha himself told mother earth, he vasudhe! Adi Vrindaban, is one of the holy pastime spots of Lord Shri Krishna, it is in this place that Lord Krsna played hide and seek with his cowherd friends. He Devi, those who take darshan(view) of this area have all their health problems gradually disappear. Also, those who pay obeisances to this area, their bodies become free of disease.
See Vasude! I am summarizing to you the pastimes of Lord Krsna. One time Shri Krsna, came with all his cowherd boys friends to Kamvan. After listening to his friend Tok Krishn sakha, they decided to play hide and seek. While playing, Shri Krsna closed Shridama's eyes, and Balarama closed Tok Krishn's eyes. When the game began, all the cowherd boys hid from these two. Upon opening there eyes Balaram' teams was successful in seeking the other teams players. They winners then rode piggyback on the losers, from the point where they started covering their eyes, to the point where they were found. This pastime went on for a long period of time. Since then this place has been known as Luk Luk Kund, or the place of Hide and Seek. Those who take a bath in this kund have all their sins erased.
Versus 9-14
This is the narration of the pastime which has been taken from Kamvan chapter, in the Varaha Puran.In the tenth canto, eighth chapter of Shrimad Bhagvatam, contains descriptions of this pastime taking place among many others.
Verse 9
Ram, Sham, and other cowherd boys, took new leaves, peacock feathers, beautiful flower garlands, and decorated themselves in a variety of ways, with these colorful items. Then one of would start dancing joyfully, while the other start pounding their thighs getting ready to wrestle, and the other started singing ragas.
Verse 10
When Shri Krsna would start dancing, some cowherd boys would play the flute and bugle, and others would sing, applaud, and praise him out loud.
Verse 11
It is during this time, as drama coach praises his performers, similarly demigods took the form of cowherd boys and start praising Krsna and Balaram who also have taken birth in the form of cowherd boys
Verse 12
The curly haired Sham would grab Balaram's hands and start turning round and round like a potter's wheel. Sometimes, they would compete to see who could jump the farthest, or throw a ball of dirt the farthest. They would play tug of war, or wrestle. It is in this way, they would play a variety of games.
Verse 13
Sometimes when the other cowherd boys would sing, Krishna and Balaram would play the flute, bugle or sing their praises.
Verse 14
Sometimes they would take the fruits of bhel, jaifal, or amla trees and throw them at each other. Sometimes they would close each others eyes, and hide, trying to guess who each other was, in this way playing hide and seek. They would run very far to catch each other, or pretend to act and sound like animals. Other than Shrimad Bhagvatam, Shri Narayan Bhatt Goswami's - Braj Bhakti Vilas also contains references to Kamvan, and specifically the descriptions of Luk Luk kund. In Aditya Puran the prayer mantra for this is given.
Braj Bhakti Vilas Pg # 191, Verse 13
"Hey Vishnu ke roop darshan ke liye akshi milan sthall! You provide coolness to eyes. You are also the giver of divine visions. You give vision to the blind. One who recites this mantra five times, as a daily prayer, gets divine visions, and goes to the abode of Vishnu." Holy places of pilgrimage such as Luk Luk kund, which are part of our cultural heritage must be saved and restored, otherwise the next generation will question the validity of all of the references given in our scriptures.
Importance of Luk-Luk Kund
Luk Luk Kund is located in Kamvan. When Lord Krishna called upon places of pilgrimage to come to Braj, they all resided in Kamvan. Today, the area of the kund, has been divided into pieces and allotted by farmers into farm land. Unfortunately, its complete existence as a holy site, has been eradicated. As per the Scripture Braj Bhakti Vilaas "Luk-Luk kund, a transcendental pastime spot of Lord Shri Krishna, is where He played hide and seek with his cowherd friends. It is said, that the health problems of those who take darshan of this area gradually disappear. Also, one who pays obeisances to this area, their bodies become free of disease." Holy places of pilgrimage such as Luk Luk kund, which are part of our cultural heritage must be saved and restored, otherwise the next generation will question the validity of all of the references given in our scriptures.
"What we can do"
As stated above, the area which was once Luk Luk Kund, is being bought by land mafia, and sold to to individuals for their personal use. If something is not done fast to save it, another leela sthali will lost from the history of our devotion. It is a shame for all of us know these facts and still not doing anything. We blame others including, the local authorities or government for not saving these holy sites, but being devotees or even nature lovers, do we really want to wait for them to take action, or go ahead and get started ourselves? If you are interested in joining us Save Braj one holy site at a time, and now starting with LUK LUK KUND, here is how....
Currently, we need to buy the land back from the farmers who have divided it. The land which is available to buy is about 15 to 20 bigha (2.5 to 3 Acre aprox.) and its cost is about approx. 35 lakh rupees (Approx. $ 75000, depends upon the market conversion rates) Help us arrange meetings with those who might be taking interest in saving the kund, and funding the money to buy this land, and rebuild luk luk kund. We need to raise 30 lakh rupees to buy this land. We have never as an organization asked for monetary donations. Through the teachings of Ramesh Babashri, We are more inclined to want your service(seva) of time, and mind. However, this is an answer to inquiries, as to how one can donate money to save this kund. In order to give you a chance to become a part of this great service(seva), we are providing the following information.