1871 .'] 
The Country of Braj. 
89 
are the characteristic feature of the pilgrimage, which is thence 
popularly called the ‘ Ban-jatra.’ The numbers 12 and 24 have been 
arbitrarily selected on account of their mystic significance, and 
probably few Hindu ritualists, if asked off-hand to enumerate the 
24 Upabans, would agree precisely in the specification. The fol¬ 
lowing list is taken from a Hindi Directory for the use of pilgrims, 
which may be considered the standard authority on the subject, 
and is no doubt published permissu superior um. 
The 12 Bans : Madlm-ban ; Talban ; Kumud-ban ; Bahula-ban ; 
Kam-ban ; Khadira-ban ; Brinda-ban ; Bhadra-ban; Bhandir-ban; 
B el-ban ; Loh-ban, and Mali a-ban. 
The 24 Upabans : Gokul, Gobardhan, Barsana, Nandganw, San- 
ket, Parimadra, Aring, Sessai, Mat, Unchaganw, Kliel-ban, Sri- 
kund,'* Gandharv-ban, Parasoli, Bilchu, Bachh-ban, A'di-badri, Ka- 
rahla, Ajnokh, Pisayo, Kokila-ban, Dadhiganw, Kot-ban, and 
Kaval.f 
This list bears internal evidence of antiquity in its want of close 
correspondence with existing facts ; since some of the places, though 
retaining their traditionary repute, have now nothing that can be 
dignified with the name either of wood or grove, while others are 
known only by the villagers in the immediate neighbourhood and 
have been supplanted in popular estimation by rival sites of more 
easy access or greater natural attractions. Starting from Mathura 
the pilgrims make their first halt at the village of Maholi, where 
they visit Madhu-ban, the fabled stronghold of the giant Madhu.J 
They then turn south to Talban in the village of Tarsi, where Bala- 
ram vanquished the demon Dhenuk, and recovering the original 
line of march at Bati, pay their respects to Kumud-ban and Bahu¬ 
la-ban.§ Next passing through the villages of Tosh, Jakhin-ganw, 
and Mukhrai, they arrive at Badlia-kund with the two sacred pools 
* Srfkund, i. e. Holy-well, is another name for Radha-kund. 
■f The twelve Bans are connected with Pauranik legends, and are all men¬ 
tioned by name in the Mathura Maliatmya. The 24 Upabans refer mainly to 
Radha’s adventures, and have no ancient authority whatever. Gobardhan, 
the one exception, is as much a centre of sanctity as Mathura itself, and though 
for the sake of uniformity it is now included in the list of Upabans, it is never 
strictly so regarded. 
X Madhu-Sudan, i. e. the destroyer of Madhu, is one of Krishna’s favorite 
titles : the reason is not very obvious, since all authorities agree that Madhu 
was dead some generations before Krishna took birth. 
§ Bati would appear to be a contraction of Bahula-vati. 
