EXPERIENCE BRAJ
The Braj Heritage
Brajbhoomi is one of India's most historical and iconic cultural grounds. The ancient history of Braj, centred around Krishna, has been celebrated in art, music, song, literature, poetry, dance and drama. Vrindavan Heritage Tower will play an important part in realising the heritage and cultural tourism potential of Braj. Five thousand years ago, Lord Krishna spent His childhood days in Vrindavan with His cowherd friends, gopis and His dear cows. He was always surrounded by peacocks, parrots, swans, monkeys, deer and many other animals. The sweet melody of His flute made even the plants and trees dance. The cows fed on the tender, juicy grass of the pastures and provided the sweetest milk. The residents of Vrindavan depended on Govardhan Hill and their cows for sustenance. River Yamuna also played a prominent role in Krishna’s pastimes by offering her cool waters. Braj consisted of twelve beautiful and sacred forests: Bhadravan, Bilvavan (Belvan), Lohavan (Lauhavan), Bhandiravan, Mahavan, Madhuvan, Talavan, Kumudavan, Bahulavan, Kamyavan, Khadiravan, and Vrindavan.
When Lord Krishna returned to Goloka, these sites where Krishna performed miraculous feats, childhood mischief, and many other wonderful pastimes were forgotten. His great-grandson, Vajranabh, was asked by the devotees to go to Vrindavan and restore the lila sthalis (places of Lord Krishna’s divine pastimes). Vajranabh gladly agreed and identified every forest, grove, garden, lake, pond, hill, and village connected to Krishna’s pastimes with the help of scriptures like Adi-Varaha Purana. Vajranabh established temples and installed deities in these lila sthalis. Today, Vrindavan attracts visitors from every corner of the world as it is considered to be one of the most important places of pilgrimage. Vrindavan has an incredibly rich cultural heritage, mainly due to its sanctity and spiritual practices. It is the heart of Braj and is considered to be the topmost holy site. The forests that provided fresh and juicy grasses for the cows and calves also offered varieties of sweet juicy fruits for rejuvenating Krishna and His cowherd friends. These forests and groves witnessed Krishna’s divine pastimes with the gopis.