Govardhan

Giriraj Govardhan, the hill Shri Krishna lifted on his finger to shelter the people of Braj from Indra's storm.

According to the Shrimad Bhagavatam, Shri Krishna inspired the people of Braj to worship Giriraj Govardhan, the cows and the brahmins instead of offering their yearly sacrifice to Indra. Angered, Indra sent a terrible storm. The young Krishna then lifted Govardhan hill on the little finger of his hand and sheltered the whole of Braj beneath it for seven days, until Indra's pride was broken. For this reason devotees honour Govardhan not as a mere hill but as a form of Krishna himself, and lovingly call him "Giriraj ji".

The parikrama of Giriraj, about twenty-one kilometres long, is the central practice here. Most pilgrims walk it, and some devotees complete it by offering full prostrations all the way. Along the path lies Manasi Ganga, which according to tradition Krishna manifested from his mind. Radha Kund and Shyam Kund are among the holiest ponds of Braj, connected in tradition with the slaying of the bull demon Arishtasura; bathing in them at midnight on Bahulashtami is considered especially auspicious. Daan Ghati is the place where Krishna playfully demanded a "toll" of milk and curd from the gopis, and here Giriraj ji is bathed with milk. Jatipura is an important Pushtimarg site where devotees have darshan of the Mukharvind (sacred face) of Giriraj, and it is linked with the first appearance of Shrinathji.

The greatest festival is Govardhan Puja and Annakut on the day after Diwali. On Ashadha Purnima (Guru Purnima) the Mudiya Purnima fair is held, when lakhs of devotees walk the parikrama.

Practical note: Govardhan is about twenty-two kilometres from Mathura, and the nearest major railway station is Mathura Junction.

State

Uttar Pradesh

Nearest City

Mathura

Main Temples

Manasi Ganga, Radha Kund and Shyam Kund, Daan Ghati Temple, Mukharvind, Jatipura

Associated Leela

Lifting of Govardhan hill