Braj to Badri: 10 Days Across Krishna’s Braj, Himalayan Prayags & Kurukshetra

A pilgrimage journal from 15–25 September: Braj’s playfields to Garhwal’s confluences and the epic plains of Kurukshetra.

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Use Blogger’s Insert image to add: Badrinath dusk • Prema Mandir night • Devprayag • Brahma Sarovar.
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Day-by-day journal & significance
Interactive route map
Travel smarts & tips
Sources / further reading

Day-by-day journal & significance

15/09 — Gokul & Vrindavan: where it all began

Raman Reti (Raman Bihar), Gokul — “Raman” = divine play, “Reti” = sand; a grove revered as Krishna’s childhood playground. Alt: Raman Reti sand grove in Gokul at sunset.
Nandababa Bhavan (Chaurasi Khamba), Gokul — The famed 84‑pillared home linked to Nanda Maharaj and Braj’s infancy legends. Alt: Interior pillars of Nand Bhavan (Chaurasi Khamba), Gokul.
Brahmand Ghat (Thiruvaipadi) — Where Yashoda is said to have seen the universe in Krishna’s mouth. Alt: Brahmand Ghat on the Yamuna at Gokul.
Radha Kund (Govardhan) — Among Braj’s holiest waters, celebrated as the lake of Radha’s love. Alt: Radha Kund steps and temples at Govardhan.
Prema Mandir, Vrindavan — Marble temple (2012) famed for night illumination. Alt: Prem Mandir illuminated at night with reflections.

16/09 — Hill towns of Braj

Nandagram (Nandgaon) — Hilltop seat of Nanda Baba; temple on Nandishvara Parvat. Alt: Nandgaon temple on hilltop.
Barsana — Radha Rani’s hill town; Shriji Temple crowns Bhanugarh. Alt: Barsana Shriji Temple view from steps.
Krishna Janmasthala, Mathura — Janmabhoomi complex marking Krishna’s birthplace. Alt: Entrance of Shri Krishna Janmasthan, Mathura.
Govardhan Giri — Sacred hill of parikrama and Govardhan‑lila. Alt: Govardhan hill ridge and parikrama path.

17/09 — Vrindavan’s living temples

Banke Bihari Temple — Vrindavan’s most thronged shrine (19th c.), associated with Swami Haridas; the curtain is drawn frequently to “rest” the deity. Alt: Banke Bihari Temple facade with devotees.
Sri Ranganath (Rangaji) Temple — A rare South‑Indian–style Vaishnava temple dedicated to Goda‑Rangamannar (Andal & Ranganatha). Alt: Rangaji Temple gopuram and water tank.
Vrindavan ghats — Yamuna aartis and lanes alive with bhakti music and poetry. Alt: Evening lamps at a Yamuna ghat in Vrindavan.

18/09 — Into the Himalaya

Haridwar → Rudraprayag drive — The Alaknanda accompanies the road.
Dhari Devi Temple — Guardian deity of Garhwal and protector of Char Dham routes, perched above the Alaknanda. Alt: Dhari Devi shrine above the Alaknanda.
Devprayag — Meeting of Bhagirathi and Alaknanda, forming the Ganga; last of the five Prayags downstream. Alt: Turquoise Devprayag confluence from viewpoint.
Sangam Ghat — Steps down to the confluence; serene morning shots.

19/09 — Confluences & ancient shrines

Rudraprayag → Pipalkoti — River-hugging roads and hanging valleys.
Adi Badri — One of the Panch Badri group; early medieval cluster of Vishnu shrines. Alt: Adi Badri temple cluster near Karnaprayag.
Karnaprayag — Alaknanda meets the Pindar; site linked to Karna’s penance in lore. Alt: Karnaprayag confluence from bridge.

20/09 — Joshimath & Mana: the gateway

Joshimath (Jyotirmath) & Narsingh Temple — Winter seat for Badrinath’s deity when high passes close. Alt: Narsingh Temple at Joshimath, winter seat of Badrinath.
(Bhavishya & other ‘Badri’ shrines) — Part of the Panch Badri circuit.
Mana Village — “First/Last Indian Village” before the border; classic stops: Vyas Gufa, Ganesh Gufa, Saraswati Mandir, and Bhim Pul over the Saraswati stream. Alt: Bhim Pul natural rock bridge over the Saraswati at Mana.
Vasudhara Falls — Longer trek; save for next time.

21/09 — Badrinath (Day 2)

Badrinath Temple — Jewel of the Garhwal Char Dham. You attended the Swarna Aarti. Alt: Badrinath Temple lit up at dusk.

22/09 — Upper Alaknanda: confluence & shrines

Vridha (Virudha) Badri & Yogadhyan/Yoga Badri — Ancient Vishnu seats at Animath and Pandukeshwar. Alt: Vridha Badri stone shrine in Animath.
Vishnuprayag — First of the Panch Prayags: Dhauliganga meets Alaknanda near Joshimath. Alt: Vishnuprayag confluence seen from the roadside temple.
Hanuman Chatti — High-road shrine and way‑marker. Alt: Hanuman Chatti shrine with snow peaks behind.

23/09 — Back through the sangams

Karnaprayag — Alaknanda + Pindar. Alt: Karnaprayag rivers meeting.
Rudraprayag — Alaknanda + Mandakini. Alt: Rudraprayag terraced town and confluence.

24/09 — Haridwar & Rishikesh

Haridwar: Mansa Devi (ropeway), Maya Devi (ancient Shakti Peeth), (missed Chandi Devi). Alt: Ropeway gondola up to Mansa Devi, Haridwar.
Rishikesh: Triveni Ghat aarti; Janaki (Janki) Setu (2020 suspension bridge); a rudraksha tree and a spatika (crystal) liṅgam along the way. Alt: Evening Ganga aarti lamps at Triveni Ghat, Rishikesh.

25/09 — Kurukshetra: where dharma was taught

Brahma Sarovar — One of Asia’s largest man‑made tanks; linked to creation myths. Alt: Brahma Sarovar sunset with temple silhouettes.
TTD Sri Venkateswara Temple — A large Tirumala‑run Balaji temple (opened 2018) near the Sarovar. Alt: TTD Venkateswara Temple, Kurukshetra gopuram.
Jyotisar (Gita birthplace) — The banyan-shaded site commemorating the Gita discourse. Alt: Banyan tree and chariot tableau at Jyotisar.
Bhishma Kund — Commemorates Bhishma teaching the Vishnu Sahasranama. Alt: Bhishma Kund pond with shrine.

Interactive route map

Travel smarts & tips

The Five Prayags (upstream → downstream)

Vishnuprayag (Alaknanda + Dhauliganga) → Nandaprayag (+ Nandakini) → Karnaprayag (+ Pindar) → Rudraprayag (+ Mandakini) → Devprayag (+ Bhagirathi = Ganga).

Panch Badri primer

Badrinath (Vishal Badri), Adi Badri, Vridha (Virudha) Badri, Yoga(dhyān) Badri, Bhavishya Badri — a constellation of Vishnu shrines across the Alaknanda valley.

Don’t‑miss evening moments

Prema Mandir light show in Vrindavan.
Triveni Ghat Ganga aarti in Rishikesh.
Swarna Aarti at Badrinath (bookable).

Practicalities

Best season: May–June and Sep–Oct for the Garhwal stretch; monsoon may trigger landslides. Winters: high temples close; Badrinath’s idol shifts to Narsingh Temple, Joshimath.
Altitude & health: Hydrate, ascend gradually, keep a buffer day; carry warm layers and a rain shell.
Road & safety: Mountain weather changes quickly; check ropeways, road closures, and confluence conditions on the day.
Temple etiquette: Modest dress; photography rules vary; phones silent; follow local seva/queue norms.

Sources / further reading

Raman Reti – mathura.nic.in/tourist-place/raman-reti-gokul/
Nand Bhavan / Chaurasi Khamba – brajrasik.org
Radha Kund overview – (general guides)
Brahmand Ghat – Times of India travel page
Banke Bihari Temple – bihariji.org (official)
Sri Rangaji Temple – srirangjimandir.org (official)
Dhari Devi – overview pages
Devprayag & Panch Prayag – Uttarakhand Tourism
Vishnuprayag facts – general references
Narsingh Temple (winter seat) – euttaranchal.com
Mansa Devi ropeway – udankhatola.com
Maya Devi (Incredible India)
Triveni Ghat (Incredible India)
Janaki Setu 2020 – reference pages
Mana – Uttarakhand Tourism
Brahma Sarovar – Incredible India
TTD Temple Kurukshetra – Times of India coverage
Jyotisar – encyclopedia entries

Oracle APPS Query to get all PO Transactions with PO_Headers_all and PO_lines_all

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Oracle Apps Queries

Sunday, September 28, 2025

Mathura to Badrinath