Braj 84 kos Parikrama starting from raadha Madan Mohan Temple, Vrindavan
Vrindavan 2016.09.02 (VT): The Braj 84 Kos parikrama began from the old Madan Mohan temple on Thursday. Hundreds of devotees participated in the yatra led by Mahant Shri Dina Bandhu Das. Vrindavan has recently witnessed few other Yatras including the yatra from the Dhananjay Das Kathiya Baba Ashram. Several ‘Tirtha Purhohits’ are also organising their individual Braj Yatras, in which many their ‘yajmans’ from distant places of Bengal, Gujrat, Maharashtra, Punjab and other states are participating.
Braj 84 kos yatra is an ancient tradition being practised since the time of Lord Krishna. Every year thousands of devotees visit Braj, who are guided to the places of Krsihna’s pastime in 84 Kos Parikrama by their respective ‘Tirtha Purhohits’ or ‘Pandas’. During the parikrama, these devotees visit the places related to the pastimes of Shri Krishna, and commemorate the pastimes of the Lord.
It is believed that all the Tirthas (sacred places) of the world come to Vraja during the months of Saavan, Bhado, Ashwin and Kartik (as per Hindu calenders). If anyone performs on full Parikrama of Braj 84 kos in these months, it equals to the virtue of performing Parikrama of all the tirthas. Moreover performing 84 kos Parikrama fulfils the desires.
Once, Nand Baba and Yashoda Maa desired to visit all the ‘tirthas’ of the country. Krishna told them that the ‘Vraja’ Bhumi’ itself is the most sacred place. Then He summoned all the ‘Tirthas’ in Vraja, so that His old parents could perform the pilgrimage to all the ‘Tirthas’ comfortably. It should be noted that the ‘pilgrimage’ of Badri Nath, Kedar Nath, Gangotri, Yamunotri etc. can be found in Vraja.
Traditionally, the Braj 84 Kos Parikrama begins in the month of Bhadra (August) and continues till the month of Kartik (November). But with the changing times, the priests have begun to organise the Yatra in any time of the year, which suits them the most. The bare footed Parikrama in austerity has been replaced by luxurious vehicles.
The devotees visit 360 kunds, 12 forests, 24 small forests, lake, 4 small lakes, 8 swings and 8 Dauji during the 84 Kos Parikrama. The Yatra passes through Mathura, Madhuvan, Talvan, Kumud Van, Shantanu Kund, Bahulavan, Radha Kund, Kusum Sarovar, Chandra Sarovar, Jatipura, Deeg, Paramdara, Kamvan, Barsana, Nandgaon, Kokila Van, Jaav, Kot Van, Paigam, Shergarh, Bachhavan, Vrindavan, Mahavan, Lohvan, Shri Dauji and Gokul.
The Yatra is camped in the different major pilgrimage stations. They spent the night in the camps where the food and bed is arranged for the devotees by the organisers. They visit all the major 24 places, during the yatra, which usually takes 40 days to complete. The Yatras begin mostly from Vrindavan, Mathura, Gokul or Varsana.
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