It is really my great fortune to be part of such a nice Vrajyatra organized by P.G.108 Shree Dwarkeshlalji Mahodaya under the divine chairmanship of P.G.108 Shree Vrajjeevanlalji Maharajshree and in the holy presence of Goswami Shree Rajubava and Goswami Shree Chhotebava(son of P.G.108 Shree Dwarkeshlalji Maharajshree of Surat). Shree Lalji Prabhu of Kandivali Haveli is also residing with the camp and blesses the vaishnavs with His divine glance.

There are more than 250 vaishnavs mainly from Mumbai and Amreli, and some from other parts of Saurashtra, Gujarat, India, USA, London etc. If there are very elderly vaishnavs on one hand, there are younger ones too on the other hand, not to speak of middle aged many. Some vaishnavs have also brought their Sevya Swarups alongwith them. The stay is at Radheshyam Ashram on the Bengali Ghat of our divine mother Shree Yamunaji at the Mathura. The pure Vishram Ghat is just on a walking distance and vaishnavs enthusiastically participate in the Mangala and Shayan Arati of Shree Yamunaji as well as Shree Rajadhiraj Prabhu. To enhance the divine experience, the Vasant rutu is in full blossom as if very eager to play holi with Thakurjee, Shree Vallabh and vaishnavs.

The yatra starts everyday morning around 8 AM by three buses and two Cars. It passes by the green fields of Vraj reminding us of Thakorjee's Gocharan lilas. Inside the buses, vaishnavs are engrossed in singing the songs of divine pasttimes of Shree Krushna, Shree Yamunaji and Shree Vallabha. Some vaishnavs are dancing, some are leading the songs, some are resonating and providing the bits through clapping. Sometimes they are engaged in a sweet exchange of arguments taking the sides of either Shree Thakurjee or Shree Radhaji. Overall it is a surcharged ambience because each one is very eager to have a glance of their 'dear one' - Shree Vallabh - and offer Zhari and take Charansparsh. Vaishnavs are also remembering the divine pasttime of Shree Mahaprabhuji at a particular bethak they are going, which had been described nectorfully from the Mukharvind of Shree Dwarkeshbava the night before.

As we reach the place of Bethakji, all vaishnavs hail loudly "Shree Vallabhadhish ki Jai", "Shree Girirajdharan ki Jai", "Shree Yamune Maharani ki Jai" and then get down the bus. First of all, Pujya Shree Acharyacharans offer their Zhariji and Bhog to Mahaprabhuji. In the meantime all the vaishnavs clean themselves and prepare the Samagri they have brought to offer to Shree Vallabha. They have brought varieties of Samagris - mishri, dry fruits, green fruits etc - and are arranging them very nicely to please Shree Mahaprabhuji. Then they fill Zhariji while reciting Shree Yamunashtakam which is resonated in the entire place of Bethakji. Then under the proper guidance of Maharajshree and Mukhiyaji, all the vaishnavs offer their Zhariji and bhog one-by-one. Some vaishnavs have brought Dhoti-Uparana, Scent, Jap mala etc and Mukhiyaji is explaining them how to offer these. Then they take Charan-sparsh of Shree Mahaprabhuji and get uplifted with joy. Outside they offer their contribution towards Go-seva etc. They also try to recollect the divine character exhibited by Shree Vallabh at that particular bethakji. After this, all vaishnavs visit any nearby place of Thakorjee's lila. Some vaishnavs are also interacting with local Vrajvasis and are helping them in various ways by donating Prasad, clothes, money etc. The vrajvasis are very happy with all the vaishnavs and wishing them that Thakorjee bring them back again and again !

After completing two bethakjis in a day, there is very delicious 'Tapeli' mahaprasad ready. All the vaishnvas honour it with joy. P.G.108 Shree Vrajjeevanlalji Maharajshree makes sure that all the vaishnavs are fed sumptiously. Afterwards, vaishnvas interact with one-another and learn about Seva etc. After a while, there is tea/milk and then they get into their buses. Again with nice kirtans/songs in buses, they return to Mathura by the evening. After getting fresh, again they move around the banks of Shree Yamunaji and purchase various items for Seva. At about 8:30 PM, there is Mahaprasad and after that, there is a program of Kirtan/Vachanamrit of Maharajshree. (The excerpt of Vachanamrit on the significance of Vraj, i will post later). Lastly there is milk prasad before going to bed to wake up early next morning.

During my stay for 22-23 Feb, we visited Kumudvan, Madhuvan, Bahulavan and Radhakund bethakjis and Talvan and Shantanukund lila places. It was the first experience for me to have yatra with Shree Vallabhkul and it will be really memorable with many experiences. I could also make friendship with many vaishnavs and they all were very helpful. Although I hadn't informed them a priori, they arranged me nicely with them, based on a reference given by Jatinbhai of Pradeepbhai and Bhaskarbhai. I wish to visit again during the next weekend if Shree Vallabh permits. Please let me know if i can serve any vaishnavs on this website in any ways.

Jai Shree Krushna ! Dharmendra