By the Vrajraj team, Govardhan · Last verified
The Braj 84 Kos Yatra (Chaurasi Kos Parikrama) is a pilgrimage of about 252 km around the whole land of Braj, traditionally walked over 40 to 45 days. It passes through Mathura district in Uttar Pradesh, the Deeg and Kaman area of Rajasthan, and parts of Haryana. Along the way it visits the forests, kunds, hills and villages linked to the childhood of Krishna and the pastimes of Radha and Krishna. Govardhan is one of its main halts.
| Distance | 84 kos, usually given as ~252 km (routes vary, up to ~300 km) |
|---|---|
| On foot | About 40–45 days with organised groups |
| By vehicle | About 4–12 days for the main places |
| Traditional season | Bhadon (Bhadrapad), around Janmashtami and Radhashtami |
| States | Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana |
| Main halts | Mathura, Vrindavan, Gokul, Govardhan, Radha Kund, Kaman, Barsana, Nandgaon |
Why 84 kos?
A kos is an old Indian measure of roughly 3 km. Braj tradition holds that the sacred land of Krishna's pastimes extends 84 kos around, and that walking its circumference brings the merit of visiting every holy place within it. The number 84 is also linked in popular belief to the cycle of 84 lakh births, which the yatra is said to free the pilgrim from.
The twelve forests of Braj
The yatra traditionally passes through the twelve van (forests) of Braj, each tied to particular pastimes of Krishna:
Madhuvan · Talvan · Kumudvan · Bahulavan · Kamyavan (Kaman) · Khadiravan · Vrindavan · Bhadravan · Bhandiravan · Belvan · Lohavan · Mahavan
Many groves have long since become farmland and villages, but each still has its kunds, temples and stories, kept alive by the people who live there.
The route in outline
Routes differ between groups, but most yatras start and finish at Mathura (often Vishram Ghat) or Vrindavan. They then move through the forests south and west of Mathura to Govardhan and Radha Kund, and on into Rajasthan at Kaman (Kamyavan). From there they turn back through Barsana and Nandgaon, continue north towards Kosi and the Haryana border, and return along the Yamuna through Vrindavan. Some yatras cross the river for Gokul, Mahavan and Baldeo.
Govardhan on the yatra
Govardhan is usually a halt of several days. Yatris walk the 21 km Govardhan Parikrama, bathe at Radha Kund and visit Daan Ghati, Manasi Ganga, Jatipura's Mukharvind and Punchhari ka Lautha. At Punchhari, the southern tip of the hill, the parikrama briefly crosses into Rajasthan; Deeg is about 14 km away.
Planning the yatra
- Join an organised group. Most pilgrims walk with a sampradaya, ashram or yatra organiser who arranges camps, food and luggage transport.
- Prepare your feet. You will walk 6–10 km or more most days, often on rough village paths.
- Expect monsoon conditions in Bhadon: heat, humidity, rain and mud.
- Can't walk it all? Do the main places by vehicle, or walk one section, such as the Govardhan Parikrama, in full.
Leading a yatra group, or travelling the route by vehicle? Vrajraj at Punchhari can be a calm base for the Govardhan, Barsana and Kaman section. Tell us about your group.
