Monthly Impact! March 2025

Phuleshwari, A Dedicated Cook at RadhaSeva

In the humble kitchen of Radha Madan Mohan Mandir, Phuleshwari, one of our primary daily cooks, is the heart of the meal preparation for the widows. A woman of deep devotion, she rises every morning to lovingly prepare fresh meals for the community, ensuring that the widows have nourishing food to sustain them throughout the day.

Phuleshwari’s dedication to the traditional Bengali methods of cooking is evident in every dish she prepares. With the same care she learned in her village, she crouches on the ground as she rolls and bakes chapattis—just as she did back home. This traditional way of cooking is not only more comfortable for her, but it also connects her to the land she loves and serves. Every day, she uses fresh, locally sourced ingredients, including grains from the nearby Radha Kunda market, to create wholesome, authentic meals that reflect her cultural heritage.

Her decision to join RadhaSeva began with a desire to cook for the widowed women she knew were so desperately in need and blossomed into a deep dedication to make a difference in the lives of all widowed women in Radha Kunda. Having experienced the painful difficulties of widowhood herself, she understood the challenges these women face and wanted to be part of a community that supports them with love, care, and respect. Today, she finds fulfillment in cooking and serving the community she holds dear. Phuleshwari’s seva is a labor of love that extends beyond the kitchen, creating an atmosphere of devotion and heartfelt nurturing within RadhaSeva.

The Magnitude of Service: Daily Meals for 150+ Widows

Serving over 150 widowed women each day requires a tremendous amount of care, dedication, and meticulous planning. Every day, we ensure that each widow receives a substantial, nourishing meal—enough to fuel her for the day, to help sustain her through the hardships that many face. Our dedicated kitchen team works tirelessly to make sure that each woman receives a complete meal, filled with chapattis, dhal, and hearty local vegetables, all seasoned with ayurvedic spices to promote health and well-being.

While the meals are served just once a day, we make sure that they are substantial enough to be used for two full meals. This is a lifeline for many of the widows, especially those living in less-than-ideal ashram situations or those without long-term housing arrangements. Many of these women rely on our meals to ensure they have enough food to get through each day.

Our widowed women who serve the meals are some of the most generous and patient members of the community, ensuring each woman who comes for our meals is properly cared for. They take great pride in their seva, creating an environment that is not just about providing meals but about showing respect, compassion, and dignity to every woman who comes to the service.

Additionally, we are deeply committed to sustainability. To minimize waste, we provide and encourage the women to bring their own reusable metal containers or tiffins for their meals, setting a positive example for the environment of Vrindavan. We aim to reduce the amount of plastic waste in the area and contribute to a cleaner, greener Vrindavan for all to enjoy.

Widows Feasts: A Celebration of Love and Unity

Widows Feasts have become an important tradition we, at RadhaSeva, started in Radha Kunda over 15 years ago. These feasts are a celebration of unity and joy that are unmatched in the widowed community. Each feast is carefully prepared with love and devotion, as the widows come together to cook their favorite traditional dishes, sharing the fruits of their labor with one another. These meals, filled with warmth and love, are an expression of community—a place where the widows not only receive a beautiful prasadam meal, but also find comfort, connection, and a sense of belonging.

The widows’ feasts are a joyful occasion, where the women bond over the cooking, the serving, and the enjoyment of the meal. These moments of celebration allow them to embrace happiness despite the hardships they’ve faced. The feasts are filled with delicious food, laughter, and a deep sense of gratitude, making them an essential part of their spiritual and emotional well-being. The chance to celebrate with fellow widows in Radha Kunda strengthens the sense of sisterhood and love, reinforcing the bonds of the RadhaSeva community.

Holi Celebrations: A Joyous and Sacred Experience for Widows

For the widows of Radha Kunda, Holi is far more than a festival of throwing colors—it is a time of healing, joy, and community. Traditionally, widows have been excluded from such vibrant celebrations, but at RadhaSeva, we ensure they can experience Holi in a safe and loving environment. This year, the Holi celebrations were filled with vibrant colors and flowers, as the women joyfully participated in the festivities, throwing colors and flowers at each other, and embracing the joyful spirit of the season.

For the widows, Holi is a chance to reconnect with their inner child and express their joy without the constraints of societal norms. They are thrilled to be part of a community that celebrates their dignity, devotion, and humanity, especially during a time of year that is meant for happiness and renewal. The safe environment provided by RadhaSeva allows the women to let go of their pain, celebrate life, and share in the love and devotion that Vrindavan embodies.

The excitement and happiness were palpable as the widows threw colors into the air and danced in the sacred land where Krishna and Radha once played. This celebration of life and devotion was a moment for the widows to feel valued, empowered, and most importantly, celebrated.

Holi Celebrations with our RadhaSeva Brajavasi Men

This year, Holi was not just a celebration for the widows, but also for the Brajavasi men who played an integral role in ensuring the safety and joy of the festivities. These men, who work tirelessly to support the community, took on the responsibility of keeping watch over the women during the Holi celebrations, ensuring that they could fully enjoy the day without worry or concern. Their dedication to the women’s safety allowed the widows to partake in the joyful celebrations with freedom, joy, and peace of mind, knowing they were in good hands.

As the women of Radha Kunda danced and celebrated with colors, the Brajavasi men worked behind the scenes, making sure all the arrangements were in place—from preparing the colors to organizing the space for the celebrations. Their support extended beyond logistical efforts; they also created an environment of trust, care, and respect. The Brajavasis ensured that the widows felt safe, loved, and valued, making the day truly special for everyone involved.

Once the women were at ease, the Brajavasis also took part in the celebration, coming together to enjoy the festivities in their own communal way. For them, Holi was a time to celebrate the spirit of unity, service, and love that binds their community together. Their participation in the celebrations was a beautiful reflection of their devotion not only to the sacred land of Vrindavan, but to the widows and families they support year-round.

The Brajavasi men's involvement in Holi was a reminder of the deep connection and mutual respect that exists within the RadhaSeva community. Their service, both on and off the celebration grounds, is what makes Vrindavan a place of love and unity, and their dedication makes the Holi celebration an even more meaningful occasion.

Cleaning Around Radha Kunda: Widows Caring for Their Sacred Space After the Holi Festivities

After the vibrant and joyful Holi celebrations, the widows of Radha Kunda immediately returned to their beloved seva of ensuring the area around Radha Kunda remained pristine and sacred. With the spirit of devotion still in their hearts, they gathered together early the following morning to clean the ghats, remove any remnants of colors, and restore the area to its natural beauty.

Despite the colorful festivities that had taken place, the widows worked diligently to ensure the sacred space of Radha Kunda remained spotless for the pilgrims and devotees who visit daily to worship and meditate. They gently swept the paths, cleaned the steps, and collected any leftover flower offerings from previous pujas, making sure the holy waters of Radha Kunda were clear and pure once again. This act of cleaning, while routine for them, is deeply symbolic—demonstrating their constant devotion to maintaining the sanctity of the land they cherish.

The widows’ unwavering commitment to cleanliness around Radha Kunda is part of their daily seva, and they approach it with the same reverence as any other task. By keeping the sacred area clean, they not only honor Radha and Krishna, but they also create a welcoming environment for everyone who comes to this holy place. Their work, done with love and humility, serves as a beautiful reminder of the dedication and selflessness that defines their lives of service.

Brajavasi Cleaning and Maintenance: Preserving Sacred Sites and Ecosystems

After the festivities, the Brajavasi men worked tirelessly to maintain the beauty and health of the sacred areas around Govardhan, especially Brahma Kunda. The duckweed, while crucial for maintaining a healthy ecosystem, can sometimes grow too abundantly. Every season, our dedicated team of Brajavasis carefully removes the excess plant life to ensure the water remains clear and balanced, supporting the local aquatic environment and maintaining the clarity of this sacred kunda.

Additionally, the festivities at Brahma Kunda often bring large crowds of pilgrims and tourists, which can lead to excess trash and debris. The Brajavasis’ efforts to remove this trash are vital for ensuring that the sacred space remains beautiful, pristine, and respectful for all those who come to worship and offer their prayers. This work, while essential, is often unseen by the visitors but makes a huge difference in preserving the sanctity and cleanliness of Vrindavan’s sacred sites.

Throughout this busy time, the Brajavasis also dedicated themselves to maintaining the gardens and paths around Govardhan, ensuring that the natural beauty of this holy land is preserved for all to enjoy. Their tireless efforts extend to places like Kusum Sarovar, where they ensure the grounds and surrounding gardens are clean, vibrant, and flourishing. Their ongoing commitment to the landscaping and cleanliness of these sacred spaces is a reflection of their deep respect and love for the land of Vrindavan.

We want to extend our deepest gratitude to our continued supporters for being an essential part of our RadhaSeva family. Their unwavering support has made a tangible difference in the lives of the widows of Radha Kunda and the dedicated Brajavasis working alongside them. Thank You.