Braj Parikrama

According to Varaha Purana, there are 66 billion pilgrimage sites on Earth, and during Chaturmasya, all these reside in Braj. This is why the number of people visiting Braj increases during this time. Thousands of devotees stay in the forests of Braj. This journey to Braj has been happening since ancient times. The Braj Chaurasi Kos Yatra, which takes forty days to complete, is mentioned in the Puranas and other scriptures.

In addition to Krishna's childhood pastimes, in the Satya Yuga, devotee Dhruva performed penance here under the guidance of Narada Ji and circumambulated Braj. In Treta Yuga, Shatrughna defeated Lavanasura and circumambulated Braj. On the route, the Shatrughna Temple at Galibari holds special significance. In Dvapara Yuga, Uddhava circumambulated Braj with the gopis.

Even in Kali Yuga, the Braj Yatra remains significant. Jain and Buddhist stupas and other sites confirm its ancient origins. In the 14th century, Jain Acharya Jin Prabhu Suri undertook the Braj Yatra. In the 15th century, Madhavendra Puri Maharaj of the Madhva tradition, and in the 16th century, Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya, Goswami Vitthalnath, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Rupa Goswami, Sanatana Goswami, Narayan Bhatt, and Chaturanaga of the Nimbarka tradition also experienced the Braj Yatra.

Parikrama Route

This journey includes the Antargrahi Parikrama of Mathura. Starting from Mathura, the journey proceeds to the following key locations:
Dhruva’s penance site, Madhuban, Talavan, Kumudvan, Shantanu Kund, Satoha, Bahulavan, Radha-Krishna Kund, Govardhan, Kamyavan, Chandrasarovar, Jatipura, Lakshman Temple in Deeg, Sakshi Gopal Temple, Jal Mahal, Charan Pahadi Kund, Barsana, Nandgaon, Javat, Kokilavan, Kosi, Shergarh, Chir Ghat, Naujheel, Shri Bhadravan, Bhandirvan, Belvan, Rayavan, Gopal Kund, Kabir Kund, Bhoyi Kund, Shiv Temple in the forest of Padarari village, Dauji, Mahavan, Brahmand Ghat, Chintaharan Mahadev, Gokul, Lohvan, and many other ancient sites on the way to Vrindavan.

Main locations

The Braj Chaurasi Kos Yatra is filled with numerous scenic and spiritual sites. According to the Puranas, many of these have diminished over time. Ancient accounts mention:

• 12 forests, 24 groves, 4 kunjas, 4 nikunjas, 4 vankhandis, 4 okhars, 4 ponds, 365 kunds, 4 lakes, 10 wells, 4 stepwells, 4 ghats, 4 banyan trees, 5 caves, 4 swings, and 33 sites of Rasa Leela.

The route of the Chaurasi Kos Yatra extends not only in Mathura but also into the borders of Aligarh, Bharatpur, Gurgaon, and Faridabad. However, 80% of the route lies within Mathura.

Rules for Braj Mandal Parikrama

Dos

• Speak truthfully.
• Practice celibacy.
• Sleep on the ground.
• Forgive others' offenses.
• Bathe in holy rivers or ponds.
• Perform achaman (ritual sipping of water).
• Consume only food offered to God.
• Chant the holy names on Tulsi beads or sing Harinam Sankirtan in the company of Vaishnavas.
• Show respect and worship Brahmins, deities, pilgrimage sites, and the divine pastimes of the Lord.

Don'ts

• Do not get angry.
• Do not harm trees, plants, or animals like cows.
• Avoid disrespecting Brahmins and Vaishnavas.
• Do not insult deities.
• Avoid using soap and oil.
• Refrain from shaving or cutting hair.
• Avoid harming ants and other creatures.
• Do not engage in disputes.
• Do not criticize others.

Observing these rules is considered auspicious for the Parikrama.

Ramaswamy Sastry and Vighnesh Ghanapaathi