Braj Parikrama
A personal Jorney
Keywords:
Braj Parikrama, Vrindavan, Mathura, Krishna, pilgrimage, Govardhan Hill, Radha Kund, Gaudiya Vaishnavism, ISCON, Hindu culture, spiritual journey, India, lila, dandabat parikrama, sacred geography, 1972, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, temple towns, devotionAbstract
Howard Wheeler’s "Braj Parikrama: A Personal Journey" is a first-person narrative chronicling a 1972 pilgrimage through Braj Bhumi, the sacred land of Krishna’s pastimes. Beginning in Mathura and culminating in Vrindavan and its surrounding groves, Wheeler captures the devotional vibrancy, cultural nuances, and spiritual atmosphere of this holy region. He reflects on the significance of sacred sites such as Govardhan Hill, Radha Kund, and Manasi Ganga, while highlighting the spiritual austerities of pilgrims, like dandabat parikrama. The account blends personal experience with theological insights, offering a unique perspective on Braj’s enduring sanctity through the eyes of a Western devotee influenced by Gaudiya Vaishnavism and the teachings of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
