Sri Vraja Mandala Parikrama

Sri Vraja Mandala Parikrama was originally set in motion by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Himself. Sri Srimad Bhakti-siddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Prabhupada re-established it in October 1932, and his dearmost disciple Sri Srimad Bhaktiprajnana Keshava Gosvami Maharaja sustained it in the decades that followed. Our beloved Gurudeva, om visnupada astottarasata Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaja, who has been performing Vraja Mandala Parikrama since 1954, is keeping the tradition, live today - thus fulfilling the mano'bhistha, or inner heart's desire, of all the acaryas in our line going up to Sriman Mahaprabhu.

The Western world was first introduced to Sri Vraja Mandala Parikrama by the causeless mercy of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in July 1966 and spread the teachings of Mahaprabhu to every corner of the world. Now, for more than twenty years, Bhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaja has invested his energy into helping Western devotees gain a better appreciation of Sri Vraja Dhama and enter more deeply into Srila Rupa Gosvamipada's teachings on bhakti.

The Parikrama lasts one month, during which most of the significant places of worship are visited along with some of the more "hidden" ones. In both cases the holy places can only be truly entered by the pure devotees. They alone are able to perform a parikrama, and alone in their presence will any participation in circumambulation Vrindavana become fruitful.

This presentation has been inspired by Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaja, who has expressed a desire for more devotees worldwide to come and participate in this most sacred of pilgrimages.

We therefore hope that you may find these images of Sri Vraja Mandala Parikrama so inspiring that you will come along one day and see for yourself.