KARTIK MONTH IN VRINDAVAN DHAAM – SPIRITUALITY AND CULTURAL CELEBRATIONS
*Meenakshi Kaushik, & **Manu Kaushik
*Professor (Dean), Trinity Institute of Innovations in Professional Studies, GGSIPU, Dwarka, India.
**Student, BA (Hons) Journalism, Maharaja Agrasen College, Delhi University, India.
Abstract
This conceptual paper focuses on the religious and spiritual significance of Kartik month in Vrindavan. This paper would also cover the significance of religious activities in Vrindavan and a few cultural aspects of Vrindavan during Kartik month. This holy place is famous for its temples, ghats, forests, Tulsi (Vrinda), devotees and their day-night chanting of Hari naam, positive energy and air, Radha Naam Japa, circumambulation (parikrama), tapa and penance. Vrindavan and the Kartik month hold special significance in Hinduism, particularly in the context of Lord Krishna’s life and mythology. Several Krishna devotees from all across the globe visit Vrindavan and stay for months and years performing devotional activities and getting inner peace, solace, Bhakti and Moksha. Vrindavan, located near Mathura, is an important pilgrimage hub in the Braj region that attracts thousands of pilgrims believing that Lord Krishna spent his childhood with Radha Rani and Gopis. The name of Vrindavan comes from the words ‘Vrinda’, which means Tulsi (basil), and ‘van’, meaning forest. Devotees are seen smearing dust (Vrajraj) on their foreheads due to its sacredness. The barks of trees in Vrindavan are hollow, and the Braj Bhoomi is dry, but the tree remains loaded with green leaves throughout the year. The research has proposed a conceptual framework on Kartik Month in Vrindavan Dhaam and Spirituality & Cultural Celebrations in Vrindavan during Kartik month. Data has been collected from few sources available on the related theme and based on observations and experiences of the researcher in Vrindavan Dhaam during Kartik month and few visits to Vrindavan
Keywords
vrindavan, kartik month, chanting, religious, spiritual.