Govardhan (Giriraj) Parikrama

कथा

Govardhan is no ordinary hill: devotees revere Giriraj-ji as a direct form of Krishna, the mountain he lifted on his little finger for seven days and nights to shield the people of Braj from the torrential storms sent by Lord Indra. The full Badi (outer) Parikrama runs about 21 km (13 miles) and takes 5–7 hours on foot, passing sacred kunds, temples and groves the whole way; pilgrims short of time or mobility instead walk the ~9 km Choti (inner) circuit closer to the hill. The truly devout perform it as dandavat parikrama — prostrating their full body length the entire distance over many days. Pilgrims carry no shoes here; the dust of Govardhan is too holy to tread upon shod.

रोचक तथ्य

• 1Krishna lifted Govardhan for seven days to shelter Braj from Indra's storms.
• 2Badi (outer) Parikrama is ~21 km / 13 mi; the Choti (inner) path is ~9 km.
• 3Giriraj-ji is worshipped as Krishna himself — pilgrims walk it barefoot.
• 4The devout perform dandavat parikrama, prostrating the whole 21 km.
• 5Radha Kund and Shyam Kund along the way are among Braj's holiest waters.

मार्ग, पड़ाव दर पड़ाव

रास्ते में आने वाले पवित्र स्थल।

1. 1

   Daan Ghati Mandir

   The main starting point of the parikrama — pilgrims take darshan of Giriraj-ji here before setting out, at the spot where Krishna playfully levied a toll (daan) on the gopis.

2. 2

   Sankarshan Kund

   A kund dedicated to Lord Balaram (Sankarshan); the floodwaters of Indra's furious storm are said to have gathered here.

3. 3

   Sakshi Gopal (Kaan Wale Baba)

   The 'Baba with ears' — devotees whisper their heartfelt wishes into the Lord's ear, believed to be granted swiftly.

4. 4

   Govardhan Baba Temple

   Worshipped on the day after Diwali; a single parikrama of this temple is said to equal seven full circuits of Govardhan Hill.

5. 5

   Punchhari ka Lautha

   A form of Hanuman at the tail end (punchhari) of the hill, where pilgrims register their haajiri (attendance) on the parikrama.

6. 6

   Jatipura Mukharvind

   Where the face (mukharvind) of Giriraj-ji is revealed for darshan, and devotees perform abhishek with milk.

7. 7

   Radha Kund & Shyam Kund

   Radha Rani manifested Radha Kund with her bangle; the adjoining Shyam Kund is Krishna's own. An achman (sip) of this water during the parikrama is held deeply auspicious.

8. 8

   Kusum Sarovar

   The historic sarovar where Shri Radha and Krishna would come to meet one another.

9. 9

   Mansi Ganga

   The final stop — a lake Krishna manifested by his own mental power (mansi). Pilgrims bathe and sip its water on completing the parikrama.

क्या साथ ले जाएँ

परिक्रमा के लिए श्रेष्ठ त्योहार

अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले प्रश्न

Govardhan (Giriraj) Parikrama कितनी लंबी है?

Govardhan (Giriraj) Parikrama is about ~21 km (9 km inner) and typically takes 5–7 hrs. Long paved road with rural and forest stretches.

Govardhan (Giriraj) Parikrama कहाँ से शुरू होती है?

It traditionally starts from Daan Ghati Mandir, Govardhan.

Govardhan (Giriraj) Parikrama करने का सर्वोत्तम समय कब है?

The best time is Pre-dawn start; Govardhan Puja & Guru Purnima.

Govardhan (Giriraj) Parikrama का क्या महत्व है?

Circles Govardhan Hill — worshipped as a form of Krishna himself, which he raised on his little finger to shelter the people and cattle of Braj. Govardhan is no ordinary hill: devotees revere Giriraj-ji as a direct form of Krishna, the mountain he lifted on his little finger for seven days and nights to shield the people of Braj from the torrential storms sent by Lord Indra. The full Badi (outer) Parikrama runs about 21 km (13 miles) and takes 5–7 hours on foot, passing sacred kunds, temples and groves the whole way; pilgrims short of time or mobility instead walk the ~9 km Choti (inner) circuit closer to the hill. The truly devout perform it as dandavat parikrama — prostrating their full body length the entire distance over many days. Pilgrims carry no shoes here; the dust of Govardhan is too holy to tread upon shod.