# Vraja Parikrama

Vraja Mandal Parikrama, also called Vraja Yatra (Vraja pilgrimage), is a Nimbarka Sampradaya Hindu pilgrimage dedicated to Krishna. At present Vraja Parikrama Pradhan Mahant Sri Sri 108 Swami Rasbiharidas Kathiababaji Maharajji of 84 kos Vraja region (Braja) which takes 1 to 2 months depending on the route and speed of travel on foot. The Nimbarka Sampradaya tradition Vaishnava Nagaji Maharaj only performed 84 crore Vraja Parikrama 530 years ago. Since this is a site associated with Krishna and the Mahabharata, it is an important place of pilgrimage for Hindus. It is one of 3 main pilgrimage sites related to the Krishna circuit, namely the 48 kos parikrama in Haryana, Braj parikarma in Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, and Dwarkadhish temple pilgrimage (Dwarkadish yatra) in Gujarat.

## Braj pilgrimage circuit

Braj Yatra circuit of pilgrimage was formally established by the 16th century sadhus of vaishnava sampradaya with fixed routes, itinerary, and rituals. The circuit covers is spread across 2500 km$^2$ area with 84 kos or 300 km long periphery extending 10 km to east and 50 km to north and west. Braj has two main types of pilgrimage circuits, the traditional longer Braj Yatra encompassing the whole circuit, and the other shorter significantly modified contemporary point-to-point pilgrimage to visit the main sites at Mathura, Vrindavan, Gokul, Govardhan. The former, longer traditional pilgrimage route, also includes additional sacred sites Nandgaon and Barsana with travel on foot. The origin of the Vraj Mandal Parikrama is variously ascribed to Sri Nagaji of the Nimbarka Sampradaya and Sri Narayana Bhatta of Unchagaon or Varsana (Barsana), of the 16th century, who wrote complete guidebooks of the Yatras.
The largest groups (5,000-20,000 people) at present which conduct the Braj Mandal Parikrama Yatra include the Radharani Braj Yatra of Ramesh Baba, Barsana, Kathia Baba Ashram Yatra, Vallabh Sampradaya Yatra and others.

## Vraja Dham
### Vana

There are twelve vanas in the Vraja Mandal. Madhuvan, Talavan, Kumudvan, Bahulavan, Kamavan, Khadiravan, Vrindavan, Bhadravan, Bhandiravan, Belvan, Lohavan.

### Mahavana and Upavana

There are twelve Mahavanas in Vraja Mandala. There are twelve Upavanas in Vraja Mandala. Namely, Gokul, Govardhan, Barsana, Nandagram, Sanket, Paramadra, Aring, Sessai, Mat, Uchagram, Kelvan, Sri Kund, Gandharvavan, Parsoli, Bilchhu, Bacchavan, Adibadri, Karahla, Ajnokh, Pisaya, Kokilavan, Dadhigram, Kotvan and Raval.

### Kunda

There are twelve kundas in Vraja Mandala; namely, Govinda Kunda, Lalita Kunda, Radha Kunda, Shyam Kunda, Davanal Kunda, Shantanu Kunda, Bilol Kunda, Brahma Kund, Gulal Kund, Krishna Kund, Sanskarshana Kund, Gauri Kund.

### Sarovara

There are twelve sarovaras in Vraja Mandala namely Kusum Sarobar, Prem Sarobar

## Nimbarka Sampradaya

In the Nimbarka Paramapara Sri Nagaji Maharaj, who was born in Paigaon, Mathura district - introduced Vraja Parikrama(circumambulation of 84 Krosha Vraja Dham, the eternal playground of Lord Sri Krishna with His cowherds and Gopis) continuing since the last 530 years.

## Kathia Baba Ashram

A branch of the Nimbarka Sampradaya, the Kathiababa Ka Sthan, Vrindavan, Gurukul Marg conducts one of the biggest Yatras of only Sadhu Sants The yatra continues for 42 days and does not charge a penny for fooding and lodging from the Sadhus.