Braj
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For the language, see Braj Bhasha.
"Brij Bhoomi" redirects here. For the 1982 film, see Brij Bhoomi (film).
Braj
Region
Country India
Region Northern India
Proposed capitals Mathura, Agra
Proposed Districts
List[hide]
Mathura district
Bharatpur district
Aligarh district
Farrukhabad district
Agra district
Palwal district
Hathras district
Etawah district
Mainpuri district
Etah district
Kasganj district
Firozabad district
Language Braj Bhasha dialect of Hindi
Braj, also known as Brij or Brijbhoomi, is a region in India on both sides of
the Yamuna river with its center at Mathura-Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh state
encompassing the area which also includes Hodal in Haryana state and Bharatpur
district in Rajasthan state.[1] Within Uttar Pradesh it is very well demarcated culturally
in the area which stretches from the core Mathura
to Aligarh, Hathras, Etah, Firozabad, Mainpuri, Farrukhabad, Agra, Etawah and Aura
iya.[2] This region is associated with Lord Krishna,[3] who was born in Mathura and
since Vrindavan was his playground it is now the main centre of Krishna circuit of
Hindu pilgrimage.[1]
It is located 150 km south of Delhi and 50 km northwest of Agra. [1]
Contents
1Etymology
2Braj pilgrimage circuits
3See also
4Further reading
5References
Etymology[edit]
The term Braj is derived from the Sanskrit word vraja (व्रज).[3][4] Vraja was first
mentioned in Rigveda, and in Sanskrit it means a pasture, shelter or resort for
cattle from Sanskrit term "vraj" which means "go" in english.
Braj pilgrimage circuits[edit]
Main article: Vraja Parikrama
Further information: 48 kos parikrama of Kurukshetra, Dwarka, and Hindu
pilgrimage sites in India
Since this is a site associated with the Vedic era Lord Krishna and Mahabharata, it is
an important place of pilgrimage for Hindus. It is one of 3 main pilgrimage sites
related to Krishna circuit, namely 48 kos parikrama of
Kurukshetra in Haryana state, Vraja Parikrama in Mathura in Uttar Pradesh state
and Dwarka Parikrama (Dwarkadish yatra) at Dwarkadhish Temple in Gujarat state.
Braj Yatra circuit of pilgrimage was formally established by the 16th
century sadhus of vaishnava sampradaya with fixed routes, itinerary and rituals. The
circuit covers is spread across 2500 sqkm area with 84 kos or 300 km long periphery
extending 10 km to east and 50 km to north and west. Braj has two main types of
pilgrimage circuits, the traditional longer Braj Yatra encompassing the whole circuit,
and the other shorter significantly modified contemporary point-to-point pilgrimage to
visit the main sites at Mathura, Vrindavan, Gokul, Govardhan. The former, longer
traditional pilgrimage route, also includes additional sacred
sites Nandgaon and Barsana with travel on foot.[1]
See also[edit]
Regional
Braj language
Vṛji, the ancient region of the Vṛji janapada that Bajjika evolved from
Religious
48 kos parikrama of Kurukshetra
Dwarka
Hindu pilgrimage sites in India
Vedic era
King Kuru
Cemetery H culture
Painted Grey Ware culture
General
Kingdoms of Ancient India
Regions of Haryana
Regions of Rajasthan
Regions of Uttar Pradesh
