The palace has 3 courtyards, all integral parts of the original palace structure. The courtyards house a Tulasi garden, kadamba trees, bakula trees, jamun trees and flower plants that add a touch of natural beauty within the beautiful fort style walls of the palace complex.
Tamal Krishna Goswami Maharaja Pushpa Samadhi
Tamal Krishna Goswami Maharaja had written in his will that he desired to remain in samadhi at Srila Prabhupada’s Palace in ISKCON Govardhan. However, the will also mentioned that if he left his body near Mayapur, his samadhi should be in Mayapur and a pushpa samadhi should be set up in Govardhan. In accordance to his wishes, a pushpa samadhi was established in 2002 with bhoga offerings and worship being offered every day.
Tamal Krishna Goswami Maharaj’s exemplary Guru nishtha and devoted service to Srila Prabhupada made him an iconic personality amongst Srila Prabhupada’s disciples. When ISKCON acquired Srila Prabhupada’s Palace, there was a grove of beautiful tamal trees in the front yard. Many years later, the shade of these tamal trees became the site of Tamal Krishna Goswami Maharaj’s pushpa samadhi. That his name and the site of his pushpa samadhi were both Tamal, is certainly not a coincidence for Srila Prabhupada’s dearmost disciple. Krishna makes perfect arrangements for His devotees.
The palace complex has gardens of vegetables, flowers, fruits and a collection of unique local plants, many with medicinal value, that enhance the beauty of the place. Tall Asoka trees line both sides of the road welcoming visitors. The shade of the neem trees in the front yard is especially pleasing to chant or read. Full grown Kadamba, Tamal, and Bakul trees abound all over the property. There are several varieties of fruit trees. Only cow dung produced from the ashram goshala as fertilizer in the gardens at ISKCON Govardhan.
Tulasi Garden
Among all the plants in the palace gardens, Tulasi holds a very special place. There are designated Tulasi gardens with beautiful green Rama Tulasi and the mysterious purple Shyama Tulasi.
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu instructed Srila Ragunatha Dasa Goswami about the simple method of worshipping Govardhan Shila by bathing with Radhakund water and offering 8 soft tulasi manjaris with devotion. This gives immense pleasure to Sri Giriraj.
Organic Farming
ISKCON Govardhan strictly follows organic farming standards. Resident devotees grow sufficient agricultural produce to offer to the presiding deities throughout the year.
Flowers
Come spring and winter, the palace gardens are awash with the colors of a variety of flowers that include rose, jasmine, malati, mogra, marigolds and many other local flowers. We grow sufficient flowers to provide for our daily worship throughout the year. However, we have to buy flowers for special decorations during festivals.
The very name Govardhan, indicates the great significance of cows. “Go” in Sanskrit means “cows or senses”, and “Vardhana” means “nourishment”.
When the first devotees came here, they did not have any cows. But by Giriraj’s divine intervention for the pleasure of Sri Sri Krishna Balarama, a cow started showing up at the ashram gate. Over a period of time, she got used to the resident devotees’ affection and the devotees to her presence, until one day she moved into the ashram and decided to stay for good. Even though devotees did not have any plan to keep cows at the time, Sri Giriraj induced them to keep his cows. The Ashram goshala produces sufficient milk to provide for Sri Sri Krishna Balarams’s needs of fresh milk, yogurt, butter, and ghee.
Serving cows in Govardhan is a matter of immense piety. Because cows are especially dear to Sri Giriraj and to Sri Sri Krishna Balarama, they play a very important role in our Krishna Consciousness movement, and their presence is a boon from the Lord.