The Barsana parikrama
A parikrama is a walk around a holy place, keeping it on your right. In Barsana you walk around the hills Radha grew up on, and the places of her pastimes come one after another: the narrow pass, the forest, the hill of her sulk, the yellow pond.
Two rounds
| Distance | On foot | |
|---|---|---|
| Badi parikrama (the full round) | About 7 km around Brahmanchal hill | 2 to 3 hours at a pilgrim's pace |
| Chhoti parikrama (the short round) | About 4 km | About an hour |
Distances as given by the Mathura district administration. Older accounts call the full round four miles.
The places on the way
- Shriji and the foot of the steps. Most people start and finish here, at Vrishbhanu's palace and the Ashta Sakhi temple.
- Dan Garh and the Dan Bihari temple, where Krishna is worshipped as the toll collector.
- Sankari Khor, the narrow pass between the two hills, with Vilas Garh on its other side.
- Gahvar Van, the forest with Krishna Kund and Mor Kuti, where Krishna danced as a peacock.
- Maan Garh and Maan Mandir, the hill of Radha's maan.
- Peeli Pokhar (Priya Kund) and Bhanokhar, Vrishbhanu's kund, on the way back into town.
Sources list these in different orders, and lanes have changed over the years. Keep the hills on your right and ask: every Brajwasi on the path knows the way. Prem Sarovar, 2 km out on the Nandgaon road, is not on the hill round; add it by car.
Walking it well
- Start at first light. The path is cool and you walk with kirtan groups. By mid morning in summer the ground is hot.
- Barefoot is a custom, not a rule. Many Brajwasis walk it barefoot; cotton socks or simple sandals are fine.
- Busy days are festival days, Adhik maas and Kartik. A weekday sunrise is the quietest.
- Carry water and a little cash for the temples. In the monsoon the forest path is muddy.
The 84 kos Braj yatra ends here
Maan Mandir Seva Sansthan has run the Radha Rani Braj Yatra every Kartik since 1988: about 40 days on foot around the whole 84 kos of Braj, roughly 12 km a day, free for pilgrims, and it ends at Gahvar Van in Barsana. The 2026 yatra runs from 24 October to 28 November. Registration is at vrajayatra.in; phone +91 99271 94000.
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The Barsana parikrama
How long is the Barsana parikrama?
The full round is about 7 km around Brahmanchal hill and takes 2 to 3 hours on foot. The short round is about 4 km, about an hour.
Where does the Barsana parikrama start?
Most people start and end at the foot of the Shriji (Radha Rani temple) steps. Keep the hills on your right.
Which places come on the Barsana parikrama?
Shriji and Vrishbhanu's palace, Dan Garh, Sankari Khor, Vilas Garh, Gahvar Van with Krishna Kund and Mor Kuti, Maan Garh and Maan Mandir, Peeli Pokhar and Bhanokhar.
Do you have to walk the parikrama barefoot?
No. Many Brajwasis do as a custom, but socks or simple sandals are fine.
When is the best time to do the Barsana parikrama?
Early morning, October to March. Festival days, Adhik maas and Kartik are the busiest.
When is the Radha Rani Braj Yatra in 2026?
24 October to 28 November 2026, run by Maan Mandir Seva Sansthan. It is free; register at vrajayatra.in.
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