HOME > Braja Mandala > Braja (Vraja) Mandala

Shopping at Natural Nirvana

Art & Posters
Ayurvedic Medicine
Bags, Belts, Hats & Wallets
Beads
Buttons, Patches
Books
Children and Babies
Clothing
Vegan Cosmetics
DVDs & Videos
Vegan & Raw Food
Footwear
Bath Body, Mouth, Hair
Herbal Remedies
Jewelry
Music
Outdoor & Pets
Incense & Oil
Spiritual & Worship
Stickers, Cards, Calendars
Worship & Yantras

Amazon Herb
Aquazon
Arcozon
Calmazon
Camu C Serum
Chocamaca
Digestazon
Envirozon
Fiberzon
Fiberzon Plus
Graviola
Gavizon
Illumination
Lunazon
Kavazon
Metabazon
Peak Performance
Rainforest Matte Tea
Rainforest Recovery Pak
Rainforest Treasure Tea
Recovazon Tropical Gel
Recovazon (Caps)
Sangre De Drago
Stevia
Sumacazon
Travel Kit
Una De Gato
Warrior

A percentage of sales of the Amazon Herbs products above goes to maintianing this site. We can also recommend these herbs from personal experience as being natural, healthy and outstanding.

 

Braja Mandala

Google

The area of Braja Mandala goes from Agra in the south to Banchari in the north, and is about 150 km (84 miles) across. This Braja area, even though appearing to be part of India, is not destroyed when the universe is destroyed.

Ganeshra (Gandeswara)
It is said that at this village Krishna covered His body with yellow clay. It is also said that Krishna and his friends put perfume (gandha) on here. Located here is Gandharva Kunda.

Khechari
It is said that the demoness Putana was from this village.

Chatikara
Lord Krishna lived in Gokula for three years and four months. Because there were so many attempts on Krishna’s life from various demons, Nanda Maharaja decided to move to another location. On the way to Vrindavana they came to this place.

How To Get Here This is the area where the turn off to Vrindavana is located on the Delhi-Agra Road. If you turn right after leaving the ISKCON temple and follow the road until it reaches the road to Delhi, this place is Chatikara.

Ral
This place is halfway between Chatikara and Radha Kunda. Sometimes the cows would be brought to eat here because there was nice grass here. It is also said that this was one of the first places that Srimati Radharani and Krishna met and that they would meet here frequently. When Nanda Maharaja stayed at Chatikara and King Vrishabhanu stayed at Vasanti, Radha and Krishna would meet at this place.

When the camp of Nanda Maharaja was at Chatikara, the camp extended to Ral and Sasthighara. King Vrishabhanu stayed about 7km away in the village of Vasanti at the same time.

How To Get Here You pass this village on the way to Radha Kunda from Vrindavana. It is about 6km from Radha Kunda.

Tosh
This place is named after a cowherd boy friend of Krishna called Tosha. Located here is Toshan Kunda, and there are temples here dedicated to Radha-Raman and Gopala. This place is located a few km off the road that goes between Vrindavana and Radha Kunda.

Viharavana
At this place there is supposed to be Krishna’s footprint. Close by in Basti, King Vrishabhanu is said to have lived here for a while, when he moved between Raval and Varsana.

Daksina-grama
At Daksina-grama the mood of daksina nayika is prominent. The mood of daksina nayika is described in Ujjvala-nilamani: A gopi who cannot tolerate womanly anger, who speaks suitable words and who is satisfied by His sweet words is called daksina. She is a right-wing gopi.

Dig (Deeg)
This fairly big town is driven through while going from Govardhana to Badrinath. This town is about 40km west of Vrindavana. In the 18th century Dig was the capital of the Jat Kingdom. There is a Dauji Temple and Rupa Sagara here.
There is a large ancient Fort here, on top of the hill overlooking the town, built in the mid-18th century by Suraj Mal. This fort has 12 bastions and a wide shallow moat. There is an old palace inside the fort. The walls of the fort rise to about 20m (60 ft) above the moat. There are some old cannons on the bastions of the fort.

There is also the Deeg Palace (Monsoon Pleasure Palaces) here, west of the fort. There are two reservoirs west and east of the palaces. The main palace, Gopal Bhavan, is impressive. It is one of the most beautiful buildings in India. There are about 500 fountains here, which are turned on once a year during the Monsoon festival in August. It is open from 8 am to 12 pm and 1 to 7 pm.

Pramadra (Pramodana)
This town is also called Pramodana, because according to Narahari, Radha and Krishna experience joy at this place. It is believed to be the village of Sridama, one of the cowherd boy friends of Krishna. There is a Radha Krishna temple here next to Krishna Kunda, located on the north side of the village. On the east side of the village is Charan Kunda.

Places in the Varsana and Nandagram Area
There are several places that can be visited while visiting Nandagram and Varsana. These places are within five km of either Varsana or Nandagram. Nandagram is about 8km north of Varsana.
Uchagrama—the village of Lalita sakhi (1½ km northwest of Varsana).
Prema Sarovara—which was formed by the tears of Radha and Krishna (1½ km northeast of Varsana on the way to Nandagram).
Sanket (Saket)—where Krishna and the gopis would have night pastimes (3½ km northeast of Varsana on the way to Nandagram).
Uddhava Kyari—where Uddhava delivered the message, that was given to him by Krishna, to the gopis (¾ km from Nandagram).
Javat (Jawat)—the village of Abhimanyu, the husband of Radharani (3 km east of Nandagram, on the way to Kosi).

Karala
Chandravali stayed with her husband Govardhana Malla here. Her father is Chandrabhanu, the brother of King Vrishabhanu and her mother is Indumati. Chandravali’s elder cousin is Srimati Radharani. Sometimes Chandravali stays at Karala and sometimes at Sakhi Sthali near Govardhana Hill.

Sahara
This is where the elder brother of Nanda Maharaja, Upananda lived. Upananda has a white beard and a dark complexion. He is expert at giving council. He is always present at council meetings with the King of Braja, Nanda Maharaja. He considers his nephew Krishna millions of times dearer to him than his own life.
His son is Subhadra, the cousin of Krishna, who is learned and affectionate to Krishna. Subhadra’s wife is Kundalata, who is one of Radharani’s associates. Subhadra is dark complexioned, youthful, handsome, intelligent and the best of astrologers.

Parson (Parsau)
At this place, when Akrura was taking Krishna and Balarama to Mathura the gopis came crying and blocked the road, forcing Akrura’s chariot to stop. In Hindi parasu means “day after tomorrow.” This village got its name because Krishna made a promise here to the gopis, that He would return the day after tomorrow.

“In spite of Krishna’s asking them not to obstruct their way, all the gopis surrounded the chariot and stood up to see Krishna with pitiable eyes. Krishna was very much affected upon seeing the plight of the gopis, but His duty was to start for Mathura, for this was foretold by Narada. Krishna, therefore, consoled the gopis. He told them that they should not be aggrieved; He was coming back very soon after finishing His business.” (Krishna Book,38)

How To Get Here This place is between Varsana and Govardhana.

Chatravana
It is said that at this place Krishna proclaimed that he was king of Vrindavana. The sakhas (cowherd boys) headed by Madhumangala went from one forest to the next and called for the support of Krishna as king of Braja. This place is close to Umaraa.

How To Get Here Chatravana is a sub-forest a couple km south of the town of Chata. It is about 25 km northwest of Vrindavana.

Umaraa (Umaraya, Umeraa)
Umaraa means “monarch” and here Srimati Radharani became the monarch over Krishna. At this place, the gopis proclaimed Radha to be the queen of Vrindavana and that she had not yet chosen a king. Therefore anyone proclaiming that they were the king should be caught and chastised. Many thousands of gopis got together and captured Krishna and his friends. They forced Krishna to bow down to Srimati Radharani.
On the bank of Kishori Kunda in the village of Umaraa Lokanatha Gosvami discovered the Deity of Radha-Vinod.

How To Get Here This place is about five km southwest of Chata and 10km southeast of Nandagram. To get here you first go to Chata, which is about 25km northwest of Vrindavana on the Delhi-Agra road. You then take another road about five km southwest and then another dirt road a couple km to here.

Kishori Kunda
This place is dear to Kishori, the daughter of Vrishabhanu. Lokanatha Gosvami did his bhajana here. During the rainy season Lokanatha Gosvami would stay under a tree here with just an old quilt and old clothing. When it would rain Lokanatha Gosvami would put his Deity of Krishna, Sri Radha-Vinod, in the hollow of a tree and he would stay outside in the rain.

Narisemari (previously known as Syamari Kinnari)
Not seeing a way to break Radharani angry mood, Krishna, took the form of a sakhi, called Syamasakhi at this place. Krishna in the form of Syamasakhi, came before Radharani playing a vina. Radharani said “In every way she seems to be a Kinnari.” She then put Her jewel necklace on Syamasakhi. Syamasakhi then said , “Give me the jewel of your anger and accept me as your own.” Radharani then gave up her anger.

Kosi
Kosi is taken from the Sanskrit word kosai, which means “who are you.” This is the answer Srimati Radharani gave to Krishna, when he came once to see Her. Kosi is on the main road to Delhi, about 35km from Vrindavana. It is a fairly big town.

Paigram
It is said that Nanda Maharaja and Krishna would milk the cows here. Pai means “to milk”.

Kharot (Kharaut)
Balarama is said to have asked His younger brother, Krishna, if He was all right at this place. Kharaut means “are you well.” This village is about 10 km northeast of Kosi on the way to Sesasayi.

Khelanvana Forest (Khela-tirtha)
It is said in the Bhakti-ratnakara that Krishna and Balarama would play with the cowherd boys at Khela Tirtha. Krishna and Balarama played continually here, even forgetting to eat, until Their mothers came to get Them. You walk through this forest during Braja Mandala Parikrama.
How To Get Here This forest is between Sesasayi and the town of Shergarh. It is a few km northwest of Shergarh.

Akshaya Vata
There is a large ancient banyan tree here, which is said to be 5,000 years old. It is said that at Akshaya Vat, Krishna and his friends would hang their lunch bags on the tree here. There is a temple here with Deities of Laksman, Sita and Rama. Nearby is a Krishna Temple.

How To Get Here This place is between the town of Shergarh (Ram Ghata) and Chira Ghata. This place is about a km from Tapovana. To get here you first go to the town of Shergarh and then drive south toward Chira Ghata for about 4km. This place is just off the left side of the road, near a very small village. Until you are a few km from this place, most people do not know about this place. The road to this place is very rough.

Tapovan (Tapavan)
This is where the gopis worshiped the goddess Katyayani Devi and prayed that Krishna would become their husband. Because they performed so much tapasya (austerities) here, this place is known as Tapovan. There is a temple here with Radha Krishna Deities called Radha Gunja-bihari.
How To Get Here This place is two km north of Chira Ghata, about 16km north of Vrindavana, on the bank of the Yamuna. This place is about a km from Akshaya Vata, near a very small village. To get here you first go to the town of Shergarh. You then drive south toward Chira Ghata about 4km. This place is on your left, about half a km off the road, close to the Yamuna River.

Vamshivat
There is a temple here dedicated to Sridhama, who was one of the main cowherd boy friends of Krishna and the older brother of Radharani. When Krishna left to go to Mathura He told Sridhama that he would come back at the latest the day after tomorrow. Sridama is still waiting here for Krishna to return. Lord Caitanya, Nityananda Prabhu and Advaita Acarya all came here. There is a very tall banyan tree here.

How To Get Here This place is on the other side of the Yamuna River, east of Vrindavana, about 2km from Bhandiravana.

Raman Reti
This place is located between Mahavana and Gokula. It is said that Krishna played in the sand here. There is the Raman-bihari Temple here and an interesting peaceful ashrama. It is said that Durvasa Muni came to see Krishna here.

Runkata
About ten km from Agra on the way to Delhi is Runkata. This town is named after Renuka, the wife of Jamadagni. The ashram of Jamadagni, the father of Parasurama, is said to have been here. Maharaja Sahasrabahu (Kartaviryarjuna) came here while hunting in the forest. After he and his men were sumptuously fed, the king asked the sage how he was able to feed them so well. Jamadagni told the king that this was possible because he had a Kamadhenu cow, which could fulfill all desires. The king then stole the cow. When Parasurama, the son of Jamadagni, found out about this, he fought with the king and his men. He killed the king and got back the Kamadhenu cow. For killing all these men, Jamadagni requested his son to go off and do penance.

There is a temple here on a hill near the Yamuna River with deities of Jamadagni and Renuka. At the bottom of the hill are temples of Laksmi Narayana and Parasurama. Lord Caitanya came here before going to Gokula.

If you know of information that is not listed here, or if you would like to help update our listings, please e-mail us at:

 

Vegetarian Fast Food Options

World Vegetarian Restaurants Guide

Amazing Colon Cleaning Program

Our own Vegetarian, Vegan, Alternative & Spiritual Sales Shop

 

Amazon Honor System Click Here to Pay Learn More

 

Please Help Support This Site and buy our own USA Vegetarian Restaurants Book

Please check out our Natural Nirvana Store, which we started to help pay for the maintenance of this Website. Natural Nirvana is dedicated to selling vegetarian, spiritual and alternative products. We sell only animal-friendly and cruelty-free clothing, gifts, health foods, books and beauty products.

!! DVD Kurma Great Vegetarian Dsihes Cooking Videos Set for just $49. Individually each video costs $14.95.for a savings of over $100

24 Devotional DVD Set for just $99 Individually each video cost $14.95 for a savings of over $200

Fantastic Natural Herbs from the Amazons
(Best source of natural herbs in the world)

Infomation on Partnering with John Easterling &Amazon Herb formulas
Make a steady Income distruibuting natural herb products

Amazon Herbs Articles

Good News from the Amazon An interview with John Easterling

Interview with Sherrill Sellman

Journey to Porveneer
by Kosa Ely

How the Amazon Rainforest
Can Improve Our Relationships

By “Amazon John” Easterling

Returning to our Roots The Evolution of Environmental Consciousness
by Kosa Ely


CamuC Serum
Nature’s Ultimate Recipe for Glowing, Youthful Looking Skin

VEGAN BAGS
Hemp Bags
Vegetarian & Animal Rights Message Bag

Hemp Backpacks
Indian Quilted & Embroidered Bags
Ecolution Bags
Splaff Bags

CLOTHES
Vegetarian T-Shirts
Animal Rights T-Shirts
Vedic Gods T-Shirts

Hemp Gloves
Vegan Message Hats
Animal Rights Beanies
Hemp Hats
Vegetarian Message Hats
Indian Men Clothing
Indian Women Clothing
Scarves
Indian design Stoles
Indian Sarongs
Sacred Threads Tops
S. T. Dresses
S. T. Pants
Sacred Threads Children Clothing

Bedding & Pillows (beautiful)
Indian Bedspreads
Indian Design Quilts
Indian Design Pillows

FOOD
Raw Foods

Vegan Foods

AYURVEDIC MEDICINES
Ayurvedic Medicines
Neem Products
Ayurvedic Books
Herbal Vedic
NeemAura
AyurvedicSupplements
Ayurvedic Incense
Organic South Neem
Ayurvedic Soaps
Ayurveda Toothpaste
Ayurveda Massage Oil

VEGAN HEALTH
Vegan Vitamins
Vegan Herbal Remedies
Massage Oils
Sport Supplements
Vegan Protein
First Aid Products
Cold Medicines
Olbas
Well-In-Hand
Skin & Blemish
Herbal Salves & Balms

VEGAN BODY CARE
Vegan Soaps
Vegan Shampoos
Vegan Hair Spays
Vegan Toothpaste
Tongue Cleaners
Neti Pots
Vegan Perfumes
Vegan Sun Care
Lip Balm
Contact Len Cleaner
Skin Treatments
Men's Products
Dental Floss
Natural Mouthwashes
Vegan Hair Removal System

INCENSE & OILS
Incenses
Essential Oil
Vegan Candles

VEGAN BELTS & WALLETS
Vegan Wallets
Hemp Belts
Vegan Belts
Hemp Guitar Straps

VEGETARIAN & VEGAN BOOKS
Vegan Books
Vegetarian Books
Vegan Cookbooks
Vegetarian Cookbooks
Restaurant Cookbooks
Raw Food Book

VEG COSMETIC
Eyeshadows & Liners
Nail Polish
Blush
Lip Stick
Mascara
Powders
Nail Polish

VEDIC & SPIRITUAL
Mandala Publishers
OM Jewelry
Krishna Photos
Radha & Krishna Dolls

JEWELRY
Anklets
OM Jewelry
Nose Rings & Studs
Toe Rings
Astrological Gems
Earrings
Pendants
Silver Tulasi Beads
Neckbeads
Necklaces
Silver Jewelry
Gold Jewelry

BUTTONS STICKER
Animal Rights Buttons
Vegan Patch
Jam Bands Stickers
Jam Band Stickers (20 stickers for $5)

SPIRITUAL BOOKS
All Books
Holy Places
Vedic Scriptures
Mandala Publishing
Art Books
Kurma Cook Books
Bhagavat Gita
Caitanya Mahaprabhu
Children
Srimad Bhagvatam
Spiritual Biography
Vedic Coloring Books

SPIRITUAL MUCIC
Bhajans
S. Prabhupada Bhajans
Kirtana
New Age
Musical Instruments
Spiritual Lessons
Audio Vedic Books


VEGETARIAN VIDEO
Vegetarian Cooking
Vegetarian

SPIRTUAL VIDEO
Devotional Movies
Interactive CDs
Vedic Puppet Shows
Vedic Art & Culture
Indian Music Lessons
Bhativedanta Swami Prabhupada

Spiritual Photos & Art
Krishna Posters
Krishna Pictures
Vedic Gods Photos
Vedic Gods Posters

OTHER PRODUCTS
Putumayo World Music
Pet Products
Outdoor Neem
Air Garcia T-shirt

Bob Marley Reggae
Hats
Shirts
Key Chains
License Plates
Scarves
Books

         
Copyright ©2001 John Howley and Spiritual Guides