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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Use Blogger’s Insert image to add: Badrinath dusk • Prema Mandir night • Devprayag • Brahma Sarovar.
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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
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