The Padma Purana describes twelve principal forests in Vraja, which are situated on both the east and west sides of the Yamuna River. On the eastern side are Madhuvana, Talavana, Kumudavana, Kamyavana, Bahulavana, Vrindavana, and Khadiravana. On the western side are Mahavana, Bhandiravana, Lohavana, Bhadravana, and Baelvana. These sacred forests are not just geographical locations but are deeply significant in the spiritual landscape of Vraja, as Krishna performed various divine pastimes in each of these twelve forests, making them revered places of pilgrimage for devotees.
