Devotees swimming at Kusum Sarovara in Vrindavan in a break from Parikrama during the Mayapur Vrindavan Festival of 1974
Videos by Gopati das. Created using audio recordings and photos to give a glimpse into temple life in the 1970s.
Birds of Raman Reti 1977
Step back in time to the serene, mystical atmosphere of Raman Reti, Vrindavan. This video features a rare high-fidelity audio recording captured on March 12, 1977, at 7:00 am by Gopati dasa, a disciple of Srila Prabhupada.
Using a semi-professional Nakamichi recording deck and a three-condenser microphone system, Gopati dasa preserved the unique acoustic fingerprint of this sacred land. For decades, copies of this recording have circulated through temples worldwide, often serving as a peaceful background for Japa meditation.
In this recording, you will hear:
Nature’s Chorus: The vibrant calls of peacocks, parrots, and other local birds that have called this forest home for millennia.
Spiritual Resonance: The distant, rhythmic hum of morning Aroti ceremonies being performed in local temples.
The Sounds of Pilgrimage: The soft footsteps and presence of occasional Saddhus passing through the forest.
A Lost Solitude
Raman Reti is the sacred site where Sri Sri Krishna and Balaram once played with Their cowherd friends. While the area has since transformed into a thriving spiritual hub centered around the majestic ISKCON Krsna Balaram Mandir, this audio allows us to experience the solitude and untouched beauty of the forest as it existed decades ago.
Close your eyes and let the sounds of Raman Reti transport you to the heart of Braj.
Historic Photos are from a 1987 visit by Sri Nandanandana Das at https://www.stephen-knapp.com/ Modern photos are current images of Krishna and Balaram Deities from the Krsna Balaram Mandir, courstesy of ISKCON
More About Raman Reti:
The ISKCON Krishna Balaram Mandir is situated in the Raman Reti area of Vrindavan. The name "Raman" means "divine play" or "pleasure," and "Reti" means "sand."
The Original Forest: In ancient times, this area was a dense forest of Kadamba and Tamala trees, characterized by soft, white sands. It was here that Krishna and Balaram would bring their cows to graze and engage in "Raman" (pastimes) with their cowherd friends.
The Sand: Devotees believe the sand of Raman Reti is transcendental because it was once touched by the lotus feet of Krishna and Balaram. Even today, the ground in this part of Vrindavan is noticeably sandier than the rest of the town.
The Temple: When Srila Prabhupada (the founder of ISKCON) chose this spot for the Krishna Balaram Mandir in the 1970s, it was still a relatively quiet, sandy outskirts of town. He intentionally chose this location because it was the site where the two brothers played together, making it the perfect place to worship Them on the same altar.
Sacidananda Das Solo Bhajans Vrndavan 1977
Sacidananda das was a celebrated bhajan singer in 1970s ISKCON. He made studio recordings distributed all over the world, but what he was mostly known for were his bhajans performed as Krsna Balaram Mandinr in the holy land of Vrndavan, India.
Prabhas Das became a good friend of mine in 1975 during the Krsna Balaram temple installation. He was close to Anand Prabhu (Maharaj), Srila Prabhupada’s godbrother who assisted us in the Deity kitchen. Prabhas often translated. It was through Prabhas, that I came to meet another Bengali devotee Sacidananda Das. Before the 24 hour kirtans took hold, Sacidananda Prabhu would sing bhajans for many hours every day. For many of us, his sweet bhajans were the soundtrack of Vrndavan ISKCON. In March 1977, I brought a semi-professional Nakamichi recording deck with a 3 Mic system to India and recorded Sacidananda Prabhu singing solo bhajans as he did every day for the pleasure of their Lordships Sri Sri Krsna Balarama. This was early in 1977, the same year that Srila Prabhupada transitioned from this earthly plane. In his final days, Srila Prabhupada requested that Sacidananda Das sing bhajans.
These bhajans are presented simply and unadorned, without drums and karatals as they were sung this way most often in the temple, and in Srila Prabhupada’s quarters. Sacidananda das’ sweet devotional voice transports the listener to Vrndavan of the late 1970s.
Images of Sacidananda das singing are intertwined with photos of Vrndavan. In the latter part of the video, photos of Srila Prabhupada and his disciples during the 1975 Krsna Balaram Mandir installation are featured.
~Gopati das
Akincina Krishna Das Babaji Mayapur 1970
It was the late 1980s, and our culinary team was deep in the rush of dinner prep. Among us was Cal—a wandering soul and Aikido expert who had joined our crew just a week prior. In the middle of peeling carrots, he looked up and casually asked if I knew who Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati was. Before I could even find an answer, he followed up by asking if I knew of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
Startled but intrigued, I warmly responded that I did, asking how he had come to know them. Cal told me of his travels through Bengal, specifically a stay at the Yogapitha in Mayapur during the Gaura Purnima season of 1970. He had kept only one souvenir from that time: a tape he had recorded of old *babajis* chanting. Since the tape was beginning to wear out, he asked if I could make a copy for him.
My curiosity piqued, I immediately agreed. Later, when I finally listened to the recording, I was overwhelmed with joy. There, unmistakable and sweet, was the *kirtan* of Krishna Das Babaji Maharaj—the close friend and confidant of Srila Prabhupada.
Cal stayed with us for another month or so, but he was a restless spirit, not quite suited for the intensity of a restaurant doing two hundred covers a night. Over the years, I shared this recording with only a few people. Somehow, this gem landed in my care, and I feel it is finally time to share it with the greater Vaishnava community.
The audio quality is rough, and the degradation of the tape is evident, but the beauty remains untouched. *Akincana* means "one who possesses nothing but the Lord." This is shared so that everyone may hear what a true *Akincana* sounds like.
~Gopati das
Who is Krishna Das Babaji?
Krishna Das Babaji (often referred to as Akincana Krishna Das Babaji Maharaj) was one of the most revered figures in the 20th-century Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition. Known for his profound humility and relentless devotion, he is remembered primarily for his mastery of kirtan and his deep attachment to the holy names of Radha and Krishna.
Here is a look at his life and legacy:
Relationship with Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati
He was a prominent disciple of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur, the founder of the Gaudiya Math. While many of his godbrothers became influential leaders and established large institutions, Krishna Das Babaji just chanted the Holy Names.
Recognition of Spirit: It is said that Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati recognized his deep spiritual taste (rasa) early on.
The "Niscin" Spirit: He embodied the internal, meditative side of his Guru's mission, focusing on the constant chanting of the Mahamantra.
The King of Kirtan
In Vrindavan, he became a legend for his singing. His style wasn't about musical performance or entertainment; it was a visceral, emotional outpouring of devotion.
24-Hour Kirtan: He was a central figure in the Akhanda Mahamantra Kirtan (continuous chanting).
The Style: His voice was often described as thin but incredibly piercing, frequently breaking with emotion. He would often chant for hours on end, seemingly oblivious to the physical world around him.
Instruments: He was almost always seen with his kartals (cymbals), leading groups through the streets of Vrindavan or in the courtyards of ancient temples.
Life in Vrindavan and Navadvipa
Though he traveled to support his godbrothers, he spent much of his later life in the holy lands of Vrindavan and Mayapur.
Humility: He was famous for his "natural" humility. He refused any honors or positions, often sitting in the back of rooms or sleeping on the floor of temple verandas. He treated everyone—from high-ranking scholars to simple street sweepers—with equal respect.\
Relationship with A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One of the most touching aspects of his later life was his deep friendship with Srila Prabhupada, the founder of ISKCON.
Spiritual Confidants: Despite their different roles (Prabhupada as the global preacher and Babaji Maharaj as the internal recluse), they had immense mutual respect.
The Final Days: Krishna Das Babaji was one of the few people Srila Prabhupada requested to have by his side during his final days in Vrindavan in 1977, specifically asking him to lead kirtan.
"He was the only person who could make Srila Prabhupada laugh during those final, solemn months." — Biographical accounts of ISKCON devotees.