India Guide
Uttar Pradesh
Braj
The holy land of BRAJ, in the southwestern corner of the Gangetic valley, is the mythological land where Krishna – Vishnu's eighth earthly incarnation and a major character in the Mahabarata epic – spent his idyllic childhood. Early texts on Braj mention only his birthplace Mathura, the forest tract of Vrindavan, the hill of Govardhan, and the Yamuna River. However, in the sixteenth century, Krishna devotees "rediscovered" the geographical features and boundaries of the holy area and identified it with his legendary pastoral playground.
Braj became, and remains, one of the most important pilgrimage centres for devotees of Krishna, who tour on foot twelve forests where he is supposed to have played, though they are now reduced to groves on the outskirts of towns and villages. This great circular pilgrimage, known as the Ban Yatra (forest pilgrimage), or the Chaurasi Kos Parikrama (which refers to the circumambulatory distance of 84 kos, equivalent to 224km), can take several weeks. Less energetic or devout visitors may prefer to explore the major sites by bus.