Ever wanted to go on a special trip, one that was not just about seeing new places, but feeling something deep inside? Imagine yourself at a place where every tree, every stone, and even the air whispers the stories of a playful god, Lord Krishna. That is exactly what the Braj Chaurasi Kos Yatra is all about.
What is Braj Chaurasi Kos Yatra?
The Braj Chaurasi Kosh Yatra is a sacred pilgrimage covering approximately 84 kos. A kos is an ancient unit used for measuring distance, where 1 kos equals approximately 3 km across the Braj region. The land provides a glimpse of the life journey and the leelas of Lord Krishna. How did he grow, or where did he mostly play?
But why Chaurasi Kosh? The number 84 is also spiritually symbolic in Hinduism, linked to the 84 lakh (8.4 million) life forms one must pass through before attaining a human birth. It’s believed that doing the Chaurasi Kosh Yatra allows to purify one’s soul and help break that cycle (samsara).
How long does the yatra take to complete?
The 84 kos yatra takes around 7 to 12 days for a relaxed and complete yatra. The days may change as per the requirements. People usually start this spiritual yatra from Mathura and then cover all the other places like Vrindavan, Baldeo, Nandgaon, etc. These places are related to Lord Krishna, but moreover, you can find many temples and places related to many other gods and goddesses and the precious the Yamuna River
What is the Braj 84 Kos Yatra route map?
Here is the Brij 84 Kos Yatra Route map and prime locations to cover-
Mathura, Madhuvan, Talavan, Kamodh forest, Shantan Kund, Multan, Radha Kund, Kusum Sarovar, Chandrasarvar, Jatipura, Deg, Paramadara, Kamavan, Barsana, Nandgaon, Kokila Forest, Jaw, Kotwan, Pegam, Shergarh, Chir Ghat, Nauhajhil, Surir, TentiGayon, Bhadravan, Mant Van, Belavan, Raya van, Gopal kund, Kabir kund, Bhoyi Kund, Daooji, Mahavan, Brahmaand Ghat, Chiantaharan Mahadev, Gokul, Lohavan, Vrindavan- Mathura
When is the best time to do Braj yatra?
The ideal time is October to March, when the weather is pleasant for yatra. October – November, the time of Kartik, is considered the holiest month of the year for Hindus; thus, a lot of people start their pilgrimage yatra by this time. Special yatras also happen during Radhashtami, Janmashtami, Kartik month, and Holi. Some people also plan this Mathura Vrindavan tour from Delhi in the time of April and May.Usually, it is the time of extreme heat, thus making the yatra a little hard. But if you are comfortable in this weather, then you can plan your trip.
How to start? A simple itinerary for Braj Chaurasi Kos yatra
Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights
Day 1: Arrival in Mathura & Initial Exploration
- Activity: Arrive in Mathura (e.g., from Delhi by train). Check into your hotel/guest house.
- Evening: Begin your Braj exploration in Mathura itself.
- Visit Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple (Lord Krishna’s birthplace).
- Explore Dwarkadhish Temple.
- Witness the evening Yamuna Aarti at Vishram Ghat.
- Stay: Mathura
Day 2: Mathura to Gokul & First Glimpse of Vrindavan
- Morning (Book Auto/Car):
- Route: Mathura to Gokul
- Activity: Visit significant sites in Gokul like Raman Reti (where Krishna played as a child) and Brahmand Ghat.
- Afternoon (Book Auto/Car):
- Route: Gokul to Vrindavan..
- Activity: Check into your accommodation in Vrindavan (recommended as a base for subsequent days). Start exploring Vrindavan.
- Visit Banke Bihari Temple and Radha Raman Temple.
- Evening: Enjoy the spiritual ambiance of Vrindavan. You can visit ISKCON Vrindavan for Kirtan or Prem Mandir for its beautiful evening light show.
- Stay: Vrindavan
Day 3: Govardhan Parikrama & Sacred Ponds
- Full Day (Book Car/9 Seater Tempo Traveller)
- Route: Vrindavan to Govardhan.
- Activity: Arrive in Govardhan. Undertake the Govardhan Parikrama ( approx. 21 km). You can walk parts of it and use hired e-rickshaws or shared autos for the rest.
- Visit Radha Kund and Shyam Kund, the holy twin ponds, and Kusum Sarovar.
- Evening: Return to Vrindavan.
- Stay: Vrindavan
Day 4: Barsana & Nandgaon – Radha’s and Nanda Baba’s Villages
- Full Day (Book Car/Tempo Traveller):
- Route: Vrindavan to Barsana
- Activity: Visit Shri Radha Rani Temple in Barsana (Ladli Lal Temple). Explore other sites like Maan Mandir and Mor Kuti.
- Route: Barsana to Nandgaon
- Activity: Visit Nand Bhawan Temple in Nandgaon, the home of Krishna’s foster father, Nanda Baba. Explore Pawan Sarovar.
- Evening: Return to Vrindavan.
- Stay: Vrindavan
Day 5: Baldeo, Kokilavan & Other Significant Forests
- Full Day (Book Car/Tempo Traveller):
- Route: Vrindavan to Baldeo.
- Activity: Visit Dauji Temple in Baldeo, dedicated to Lord Balarama.
- Route: Baldeo to Kokilavan
- Activity: Visit Kokilavan Dham Temple (known for Shani Dev Temple) and experience the surrounding of sacred forest area.
- Depending on time, you can also try to visit other Vans forests like Bhandirvan or Mahaban on this day.
- Evening: Return to Vrindavan.
- Stay: Vrindavan
Day 6: Vrindavan Deep Dive & Return to Mathura
- Morning (E-rickshaw/Walking):
- Activity: Spend your time re-exploring your favorite temples in Vrindavan or exploring places you missed. This may include Prem Mandir, Seva Kunj, or exploring local markets for memorising gifts.
- Attend a morning aarti .
- Afternoon (Book Auto/Car):
- Route: Vrindavan to Mathura
- Activity: Travel back to Mathura. Check into your hotel. You can spend the evening exploring more of Mathura’s local life or simply relaxing.
- Stay: Mathura
Day 7: Departure from Mathura
- Morning: Enjoy breakfast, after that you might have a few minutes left before your train/flight schedule. You may take a final visit to mathura temple and go for a short shopping walk.
- Departure: Proceed to Mathura Junction (MTJ) or other relevant places for your onward journey.
Travel Tips for Braj Yatra
- Must follow the dress code of the particular places. Try to wear a simple and modest attire.
- For all the authentic details you can check – https://mathura.nic.in/brij-parikrama
- Be Aware of Monkeys especially in Vrindavan, Keep your belongings secure, especially glasses and cameras.
- Braj attracts a large number of devotees, so be prepared for crowds, especially during festivals.
- Engage with locals respectfully and be open to their traditions.
- Most people prefer to do this yatra on foot, but there are other options too. If you are a traveller from Delhi, then you can simply book a Tempo Traveller on Rent that are comfortable for such long journeys.
Braj offers a unique blend of spirituality, history, and cultural experiences that can leave a lasting impression. Enjoy your journey.
FAQ
1)Is it necessary to walk the whole 84 kos?
Traditionally, devotees walk the entire route, but many now choose to travel by vehicle or do smaller parikramas around key areas like Govardhan or Vrindavan.
2) Is there a specific route or starting point for the yatra?
There is no fixed route, but many pilgrims begin at Mathura or Govardhan, depending on tradition or personal preference. Some follow the clockwise route (parikrama path), while others follow specific leela sthalas (pastime places).
3) Can we do Yatra in parts instead of one go?
Yes, it is a personal choice, you can go on a yatra according to your plan. In fact many people divide the yatra into smaller routes over multiple weekends or months.
4) What is the time of Braj 84 kos parikrama?
The yatra mostly begins from March and April. But people plan according to themselves, and some start this parikrama after Dussehra in October.