Krishna Janmasthan Sewa Sansthan Bhojnalaya (Katra Keshav Dev)
Unlimited sattvic thali: aloo-mangodi, lauki, dal, roti, rice, kheer. The Rs 100 price in the source is old
पोतरा कुंड
Potra Kund
The stepped tank beside the Janmabhoomi where the baby Krishna's swaddling clothes were washed.
KundMathuraDevaki, baby Krishna
The story: Washing the newborn's swaddling clothes
Potra means 'swaddling cloth'. By tradition, after Krishna's birth, Devaki's and the child's clothes were washed in this kund, and the baby too was bathed here on the sixth day after the birth (the Chhathi ritual).
The Bhagavatam recounts the night of birth and what followed (Srimad Bhagavatam 10.3). The kund is not named in the text. It is a local, living memory kept by Mathura's families, and they take their newborns here to bow.
Where this is told
- Srimad Bhagavatam 10.3: Krishna's birth
- The kund's connection is local tradition
History
- A stepped tank of red stone with a covered pavilion, restored in recent decades.
- Next to the Janmabhoomi, with Devaki's small shrine nearby.
What to see
- The stepped kund
- The small shrine to Devaki
- Evening lamps
Key festivals
- Aug to Sep: Janmashtami (baby Krishna's bath tradition)
Timings and rules
| Summer darshan | Daytime |
|---|---|
| Winter darshan | Daytime |
| Closed | None known |
| Dress code | Modest. |
| Photos and phones | Allowed. Check locally. |
Informal. Check locally.
Parking and getting there
Parking
Janmabhoomi parking or the road near the Katra.
Charge: As the Janmabhoomi lot.
Restrictions
- Janmashtami closures apply
Cab drop and walk
Drop: Drop at the Katra approach.
Walk: 5 to 10 minutes.
Town-wide parking and transport rules: Mathura guide.
Distances and nearby places
| From Mathura Junction | About 3.5 km |
|---|---|
| From Banke Bihari, Vrindavan | About 13 km |
| From Delhi Airport (IGI) | About 165 km |
Distances and drive times are approximate and vary with traffic and diversions.
Practical tips
Timing and crowds
Best time: Morning.
Crowds: Light.
Monkeys: Possible.
Comfort
Footwear: Not needed.
Toilets: Limited.
Accessibility: Steps.
Scams to avoid
- Touts offering rituals for a fee
Where to eat nearby
Oma Pehalwan Kachori Wala (Goverdhan Road, Krishna Nagar, near Potra Kund)
Heeng dal kachori, bedhai with thin 'dubki' aloo, jalebi fried in ghee
Main Brijwasi Pede Wale (walking distance of Krishna Janmasthan)
Poori-sabzi, bedhai, kachori and peda in the morning. Sells out early. Not the same shop as Brijwasi at Holi Gate
Girraj Ji Chat Bhandar (opposite the Janmabhoomi)
Aloo tikki, pani puri, dahi bhalla, papdi
Gosai Pede Wale (near Prayag Ghat, Shubham Road, close to the Janmabhoomi)
Peda in several styles (pakka, lal, naram). The founding date of 1832 is the shop's own claim
This list comes from desk research in published guides and listings. We have not visited these places for this guide. Walk and drive times are rough, and opening hours, prices and onion/garlic policy can change, so check locally before you go.
Common questions
Is it worth a stop?
Yes, as a short walk from the Janmabhoomi.
Check locally
- Timings
- Walking distance from the Janmabhoomi gate
Last checked: 2026-10-23. Sources for timings, parking and rules:
Radhe Radhe. Walk with love, we will take care of the road.
Book a cab for Potra Kund