Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami
From the book “Sri Vraja-mandala-parikrama”:
The present name of this village is Gaṇeśarā-gaon. Śrī Kṛṣṇa and the cowherd boys would smear aromatic (gandha) substances on their bodies while grazing the cows. It is said that Śrī Kṛṣṇa became intoxicated by the fragrance emanating from the body of Śrīmatī Rādhikā, who was hiding nearby with Her girlfriends.
Seeing Śrīmatījī, the flute slipped from His hands, His peacock- feather crown fell at Her lotus feet, and He fainted. This place is therefore called Gandheśvarī-tīrtha.
Śrīmatī Rādhikā is also called Gāndharvā. To this day, Gāndharvā-kuṇḍa (so named after Śrīmatī Rādhikā) continues to celebrate the triumphant, amorous pastimes of Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa. In modern times, the name Gandheśvarī has changed to Gaṇeśarā.
Rajashekhara Dasa
From the book “Chaurasi-kosa Vraja Mandala Parikrama”:
The present name of this village is Ganeshara, which is derived from the word Gandheshwara after the sacred pastime place known as Gandheshwara-kunda. The word ‘gandha’ means ‘scent’ or ‘aroma’, and previously many fragrant flowers used to grow here from which scented oils are produced from the flower petals. When Krishna used to come here with His cows, after taking His bath in the kunda, the cowherd boys would apply His body with scented oils. In the Bhakti-ratnakara it is said, “Look from a distance at this Gandheshwara-sthana, it is well known that Krishna applied scented oils at this place.” Besides the sacred kunda, there is a very ancient temple in the village containing a unique Shiva-linga, known as Ghandeshwara Mahadeva, which local people claim was established by King Vajranabha.
