Historic 1977 6am Recording of the birds of Raman Reti
This video is built around the first portion recorded between 6am and 7am of an audio recording made on March 12, 1977 between 6am to 8am by Gopati dasa (ACBSP) using a semi-professional Nakamichi recording deck. Copies of this recording have been circulated in ISKCON temples over the years and are often used as a background for Japa. Others have used it as a spiritually charged background for daily life.
At 6am, the dawn light was just beginning to unfold and the early morning enthusiasm is palpable among the birds, wildlife and saddhus. One can hear wonderful sounds of peacocks, parrots and other local birds mixed with a background hum of temples performing morning aroti and the occasional saddhu walking by. The recording was made to preserve the unique sounds and atmosphere of Raman Reti as it was during the 1970s when Srila Prabhupada acquired the land and built the venerable Sri Sri Krsna Balaram temple upon it. One can feel the solitude of this sacred place that no longer exists in this form since it has been built up due to the prosperity of the ISKCON Krsna Balaram Mandir, the very monument established to honor, celebrate and worship the Lords of Raman Reti, Sri Sri Krishna and Balaram.
About the recording:
Recorded: March 12, 1977 at 6am by Gopati Dasa (ACBSP)
Location: Raman Reti forest in Vrindavan, India
Equipment: Nakamichi 550 portable tape deck with three condenser microphone system
Remastered in 2024 by Uttamasloka dasa (ACBSP)
Historic Photos are from a 1987 visit by Sri Nandanandana Das (ACBSP) at https://www.stephen-knapp.com/
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.
Historic 1977 7am Recording of the Birds of Raman Reti
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.