Braja is where Sri Krishna performed His pastimes 5,000 years ago. BrajaMandala covers an area of 1453 square miles (2325 square km) surrounding Vrindavana and Mathura. The area of Braja Mandala goes from Agra in the south to Banchari in the north. It is about 150 km (84 miles) across.Braja is the area 75 km (42 miles) in each direction, with Mathura in the center. This Braja area, even though appearing to be part of India, is not destroyed when the universe is destroyed.In the Adi Varaha Purana it says that there are over 600 million tirthas (holy places) on this earth. The benefit of going to all these tirthas and more is attained by going to the tirthas (holy places) in Mathura.It also says in the Adi Varaha Purana that by circumambulating Mathura you attain a hundred times the same results as circumambulating all the holy places, temples in the world, and the benefits of giving all charity and doing all rituals for the well-being of the world.It also says that even those who just see a person who has just returned from Mathura get cleansed of their sins.Vrindavana and Mathura are the most important Vaishnava holy places in all of India. This is because Mathura is the birthplace of Lord Krishna and Vrindavana is where He had His childhood pastimes."There are falls which are always pouring water, and the sound is so sweet that it covers the sound of the crickets.The forest always looks very green and beautiful.The lakes of Vrindavana are surrounded by green grasses, and various kinds of lotus flowers bloom there, and the air blowing in Vrindavana carries the aromatic pollen of those lotus flowers.Flowers are always blooming, and there are even various kinds of decorated deer. Birds are chirping, peacocks are crowing and dancing, and bees are humming. The cuckoos there sing nicely in five kinds of tunes." (Krishna Book)"Sri Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead full of all opulence, and His complete opulence are exhibited only in Braja-dhama. Braja-dhama is made of transcendental touch-stone.Its entire surface is the source of all valuable jewels, and the cintamini stone is used to decorate the lotus feet of the maid of Vrindavana. Vrindavana is a natural forest of desire trees and creepers."In Vrindavana there are cows that fulfill all desire (kama-dhenus). They graze from forest to forest delivering only milk. The water in Vrindavana is nectar, and the brahmajyoti effulgence, which is full of transcendental bliss, is directly perceived there in its form." (Caitanya Caritamrita Madhya 14.220-27).We must understand the transcendental importance of Mathura, Vrindavana and Navadvipa dhamas. Anyone who executes devotional service in these places certainly goes back home, back to Godhead after giving up his body."Whenever the Supreme Personality appears, He appears in Mathura because of His intimate connection with this place. Therefore, although Mathura and Vrindavana are situated on this planet earth, they are transcendental abodes of the Lord." (Srimad Bhagavatam 10.1.28 Purport)"The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Krishna engages in pastimes there eternally. For this reason Vrindavana is better than all other holy places. Sixty billion sacred places reside in Mathura and Vrindavana." (Mathura Mahatma)."Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu instructs us that just as Krishna is worshipable, Krishna's place, Vrindavana, is also worshipable. Similarly, the paraphernalia in Vrindavana-the trees, roads, rivers, everything-is worshipable.A pure devotee thus sings, Jaya, Jaya Vrindavana-vasi yata jana: 'All glories to the residents of Vrindavana'. If one has a staunch devotional attitude, all these conclusions will be revealed in the heart." (Caitanya Caritamrita Madhya 12.38 purport)"As Brajendranandana, Krishna, is worshipable, His dhama, Vrindavana is also worshipable. We should be very much respectful toward Vrindavana-dhama. Otherwise we will be offenders, dhama-aparadha." (Srila Prabhupada Tape 72/48)"The human form of life is meant for understanding this transcendental land of Vrindavana and its inhabitants. An expansion of this Vrindavana, which is the supreme abode of Krishna is also present on earth.No one can appreciate Vrindavana without being highly elevated in spiritual knowledge, Krishna consciousness." (Teaching of Lord Caitanya)"Vrindavana-dhama is non-different from Krishna because the name, form, fame and place where the Lord manifests are all identical with the Lord as absolute knowledge. Therefore, Vrindavana-dhama is as worshipable as the Lord." (Srimad Bhagavatam, Intro.)"The ideal place to execute Krishna consciousness is Braja-bhumi, or Vrindavana, where the people are naturally inclined to love Krishna and Krishna is naturally inclined to love them." (Caitanya Caritamrita Madhya 4.95).
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