What is 84 Kos Yatra ?

Once upon a time God Shiva was staying at Mount Kailash. God Shiva was looking tensed; looking at him Goddess Parvati asked him the reason for it. God replied to her “I have heard that everyone should have a spiritual guru in his life, but I don’t have anyone, it is said that unless you meet a spiritual guru a human doesn’t get the benefit of his virtuous deeds.” No matter how much we pray to God we never get any yield. That’s why I am thinking to find a spiritual guru.

Hearing this Goddess Parvati suggested that “to whom you worship day and night make him your spiritual guru?” God replied that there is nothing special in this since everybody in this universe pray to him. Goddess suggested that he should make God Krishna and Goddess Radha his guru. God Shiva became very happy and said “I will go and meet him today itself and will request to be my spiritual guru”.

God Shiva and Goddess Parvati than went to Vishnu Lok to meet God Vishnu. On reaching they told the reason to come to Vishnu Lok. God Vishnu accepted his request to become his Guru and agreed to meet him at the Bank of river Birija.

On decided day God Vishnu and Shiva met at the banks of river Virija. God Shiva and Goddess Parvati gave a huge welcome to Mata Lakshmi and Vishnu Ji. God Shiva created a new city on the banks of river Birija. In this city there were numerous cows, tree with fruits, bountiful birds etc. There was a huge Throne of Gold named as “Shree Golok Dham”.

After performing the rituals God Shiva and Goddess Parvati gave new identity to God Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi as Krishna and Radha. With rituals and prayer he made God Krishna his spiritual guru. And told that all the animals, birds, trees etc dedicated to you. Shiva also requested both of them to reside in Golok Dham forever.

Once Radha and Krishna were enjoying in Shree Golok Dham and they were engrossed in the beauty of the place. Same time Radha’s brother came there. Radha & Krishna could not see him. He became very angry and cursed them “you are so busy among yourself that you couldn’t see me I curse you that henceforth you will not see each other although still loving.”

God Vishnu said we need to go to earth to live the curse. Goddess Lakshmi replied that she will not go to earth as there is lot of bad thing on earth. It’s not a livable place. God Vishnu suggested why not to bring the Golok Dham to Earth and staying it.

To bring Golok Dham on earth God Vishnu requested Yamuna Ji to come on earth. After that Water of river Birija was poured into it. God Krishna than took sand (Raj) to the size of his 84 fingers. This sand was spread across river Yamuna in the area of 84 Kos (252 Kilometers). Joining the name of river Birija and Raj of Golok Dham gave the name as and Birija.

In this area there are 12 Van (Forest) 24 Upvan (Gardens) 20 Kund (Tanks),and village namely as Nand-Goan, Barsana, Govardhan Vrindavan, Mathura, Kosi, Radha Kund etc. After the city was created God Krishna requested all the trees, birds etc in Golok Dham to come to Brij and stay in there.

After some time Radha was born in village Barsana. Few years later of her birth God Krishna was born in a prison in Mathura. All his childhood activities happened in Brij area. To complete the curse of Radha’s brother Krishna left Brij and went to Dwarka and Radha Ji remained in Brij. After completing the term of curse Radha Ji left for Golok Dham.

As per Bhagvat Gita and other books its mentioned that in Kalyug anyone who completes the Yatra of 84 Kos will get rid of all his evil deeds.

Mukti Kahe Gopal se, meri mukti batao,
Brij raj jab maathe chade mukti mukt ho jaye||
Brij chourasi kos ki parikamma jo det,
To lakh chorasi janm ke paap hari har let||