KRISHNA’S LAND: BRAJ AS THE EPICENTER OF MEDIEVAL INDIAN RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL TRANSFORMATION

Abstract

The Braj region, intimately associated with the divine exploits of Lord Krishna, emerged as a crucial center of medieval Indian religious and cultural transformation. This paper explores how Braj’s divine geography played a pivotal role in shaping the Bhakti movement, influencing temple architecture, literature, and pilgrimage practices. By examining the interplay between myth, geography, and religious practice, the paper highlights how Braj became a powerful symbol of devotion and a vital site for the dissemination of Krishna Bhakti across India (Haberman, 1994; Lutgendorf, 1991). Braj's sacred landscape, infused with Krishna's pastimes, has been instrumental in fostering devotional traditions that have shaped Hindu religious identity for centuries.