HEARTS AND FLOWERS FOR SRI KRISHNA
the major hills, the important ponds, groves and lila landmarks. These include Kansa’s prison and Krishna’s birthplace, Gokul, Goverdhan Hill, Radha’s village of Barsana, Radhakund, Manasi Ganga, Kusum Sarovar, Govindakund, Chandra Sarovar and the Shaiva temple of Bhuteshwar.
The ‘buzz’ in Brijbhumi comes from these activities: darshan (beholding the deities of Radha and Krishna in temples); Krishna’s daily routine in the temples (being bathed, dressed, fed, entertained); festivals, of which Janmashtami is king; singing (sangeet seva); dancing (nritya seva); the enactment of the Raas Lila; the Van Yatra through the twelve forests of Vrindavan; and parikrama (going around Vrindavan and around Govardhan Hill). The Govardhan parikrama is 21km barefoot and performed by thousands in every Shukla Paksh or bright fortnight of the moon, between Ekadashi and Poornima, by night in summer and by day in winter.
Yatris to Brijbhumi come either
‘sakam’ (with a specific purpose, like seeking personal success, family welfare and general positivity in love, livelihood and spiritual growth) or ‘nishkam’ (no purpose at all, except to show up and be there, like dropping in on your best friend for no particular reason). Like any human habitation, Vrindavan has a dark side. But thanks to those long-ago dreamers, ‘Radharani’ and ‘Thakurji’ can make even an orphan feel like a beloved child come home.