History, Importance, Festival Celebration, Govardhan Puja, Best Time to Visit, Govardhan Parikrama, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Govardhan Parvat near Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh, India
Govardhan Hill or Govardhan Parvat or Mount Govardhan is one of the main holy site Braj Bhoomi and located at just 20 km from Vrindavan and 26 km from Mathura in state of Uttar Pradesh, India. Govardhan Pahad is also known as Girirajji or Royal hill of Vrindavan as it is believed to the king of all the hill. The Govardhan hill is considered to be superior in terms of religious importance as it was raised by the divine hand of Shree Krishna to provide the shelter of Brijvasi the people of Brij Bhoomi. As described by Lord Krishna, Govardhan hill not separate from him thus devotee worshipped Govardhan hill same like the idol of Lord Krishna. Govardhan hill is made up for sandstone with height of 80 feet where every year millions of devotee and tourist across the world visit here with pure devotion.
The meaning of Govardhan Parvat is very interesting, where Govardhan word is made up of two word Go and Vardhan. Go means Gau or cow and Vardhan means the place where cow kept safe, get the green grass to eat and live in shade. Another meaning is, Sanskrit word Go means sense and vardhan means to control, thus Govardhan Hill is the place where every life can control over mind and tried to attain moksha.
The main story of Govardhan Parvat and Lord Krishna, “Lord Krishna Lifting the Govardhan Hill”
During the Dwapar Yug Lord Krishna convinced the inhabitants of Vrindavan to worship the Govardhan Mountain instead of doing an elaborate sacrifice to please the Lord Indra who was in charge of the rain. He said that the mountain is the very important source of feeding the cow and also has helped for the timely rains. Also Govardhana offers unlimited pleasure for the cows, the gopas and the gopis. They all agreed to worship Govardhan that year instead of Lord Indra. Lord Indra’s pride was insulted by the Krishna decision. In order to do this Indra sent the most dangerous rain and thunderstorms to Vrindavan and tried to destroy the whole place. The people started running in all directions in order to save their families and belongings. The villagers knew that this was Lord Indra's punishment. In order to protect the people Krishna pulled out his flute from his waistband and began to blow into it. Heavenly music emanated. The people suddenly lost all fear and deep peace settled into their hearts. Krishna started walking and a huge crowd and animals followed him and they went nearby to the foot of the Govardhan. Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhan by his little finger and covered the space below the mountain and offered protection. They were safe under Krishna and Indra came down and asked for forgiveness and Krishna told to abandon the ego. From that time worship of Govardhan hill or Govardhan Puja becomes highly important in Sanatan Dharm.
Interesting Legend of appearance of Govardhan Parvat on earth and at Braj Bhoomi
Very interesting legend is mentioned in the Garg Samhita about the Vrindavan, River Yamuna and Govardhan hill. Once Lord Krishna informed his eternal consort Srimati Radharani in Golokdham Vrindavan that they should now appear on earth to save the Dharma and performed divine leela. Then Radharani requested that without Vraja Dham, Yamuna, and Govardhan Hill, she would not be happy on earth. Then Lord Krishna told that Vraja dham, along with Yamuna and Govardhan Hill had already appeared on earth.
Lot of year before the talks between Lord Krishan and Radharani, the wife of the great mountain Dronacal gave birth to a son named Govardhana. The great mountains like Himalayas and Sumeru came there and offer their respects. They performed parikrama of Govardhana and accepted him as their king. As they knows that Govardhan hill will becomes playground of Lord Krishna and comes from Golokdham. They also named him as the “crown jewel of Vraja.”
After few years, during Satyuga, one day Pulatsya Muni was traveling and he came upon at Govardhan Hill. He requested Giriraj’s father Dronachala that, In Varanasi there is not a single mountain, thus I desire to take Govardhan to Varanasi to do my worship in peaceful environment. So with the very heavy heart, Dronachala gave his permission. But Govardhan made a condition that, “I will come with you, but anywhere you place me to the ground, I will not move from that place”. Pulatsya Muni agreed on that and start the journey towards the Varanasi. Govardhan knows his appearance on earth to assist Krishna in his divine activities in Vrindavan. While Pulatsya Muni was passing by Braj Bhumi, he had an unbearable urge to respond to the call of nature. Thus he had to place Govardhan down. Then he went to lift Govardhan, but he would not move a single cm even. Thus sage became very upset and cursed Govardhan that, everyday you will reduce in size the length of a mustard seed. At that time Govardhan Hill was miles and miles high. Though Govardhan was very happy to receive this curse as a blessing, because for Krishna to perform his activities huge height would have not been very pleasing. At the time of Lord Krishna, Govardhan Hill here was about two miles hig and now it's highest point it is about 80 feet tall only.
Glories of Govardhan Parvat or Giriraj ji
There are lots of glories of Govardhan hill is mentioned in Garg Samhita, few important are mentioned as below.
Govardhana Hill, the king of mountains, is the personal form of Lord Krishna. Simply by seeing it, one attains the supreme goal of life.
Anyone who has committed hundreds of sins can be removed by just seeing Govardhana Hill and no other holy place is as sacred as Govardhana Hill. Visiting the Govardhan Hill, is as holy as visiting hundreds time other sacred hill.
Even listening the glories of Govardhana Hill and divine activities of Lord Krishna at Govardhan hill makes anyone as fortunate as King Indra and King Nanda.
Story of Govardhan Hill, Lord Shri Ram and Hanumanji Maharaj
Another important legend associated with Govardhan hill, Lord Shri Ram and Hanumanji during the Treta Yuga. During the construction of Ram Setu on sea to reach Lanka, Lord Hanumaji requested Govardhan hill to come at ocean to fullfil the need of stone. Govardhanji happily agree to help in task of Lord Shri Ram. While Hanumaji brings Govardhanji at ocean, the need of stone was completed so Govardhan hill became sad. Then Lord Shri Ram came to him and assure him that he will took birth as Sri Krishan during dwapar yuga and lift Govardhan with affection for seven days on his own little finger. Also spent lots of child hood time over the Govardhan hill.
The most famous and holiest Parikrama of Govardhan Hill, Vrindavan
Parikrama or circumambulation of Govardhan hill is believed to be very important in Vaishanv people. Thousands if devotee perform Parikrama on barefoot and especially on festivals like Govardhan Puja, Kartik, Purusottam and Guru Purnima. You can also find lot people who perform Dandvat Parikrama. Devotee also brings milk and incense still – Dhoop Agarbatti during the parikrama to performed ritual. The entire parikrama is around 23 km which takes approximately 5-6 hrs. The battery rickshaw is available for the devotees to do the Pradakshina. The Pradakshina also covers the Shyam Kund and Radha Kund. The Govardhan puja is held every year after Diwali to worship the Govardhan. The dust at the foot of Govardhan Hill that we walk on, is believed to be highly sacred as it is not only the dust of Braja, but it is also decorated with the dust of the lotus feet of lot of saints and Vaishnavacharyas. It is said that in Vrindavan there are three items that are very powerful to purify individual heart, these are the dust of Braja, river Yamuna and the Govardhan Hill.
Along with Govardhan Hill, you must visit other holy place here Giriraj Temple, Shri Chaitanya Temple, Radha Kund, Shyama Kund, Daan Ghati Mandir, Manasi Ganga, Govinda Kund, Giriraj Shila, Mukharvind, Kusuma Sarovar, Rinamochana, Uddhava Bethak, Puchari etc.
Best time to Visit Govardhan Hill and Festival Celebration at Govardhan mountain
Each festival of Sanatan Dharma is celebrated here with great zeal but Govardhan Puja on next day to Diwali is most important festival here. The best time to visit Govardhan is during October to March when the weather is excellent which makes your pleasant trip.
How to Reach Govardhan Hill, near Vrindavan, The Childhood Pastimes of Lord Krishna, Uttar Pradesh, India
Govardhan Hill is one the most popular pilgrimage site of near Vrindavan where thousands of devotee and tourist reaches here around the year. Govardhan hill is located at just 20 km from VrindavanGovardhan being one of the major pilgrimage center and tourist destination, of Uttar Pradesh where people across the world visits around the year. It is very well connected with all major cities of India via road, rail and air network. Mathura has major railway junction which is just 21 km from Govardhan from where you can get train to almost all region of India. Agra Airport and Delhi Airport are the nearest airport at distance of 75 and 170 respectively from Govardhan. From where you can get flight to all major cities of India and across the globe. You can find private taxi and public transport as well from both airport to reach to Govardhan. It is located at just 23 km from Vrindava, 32 km from Gokul, 20 km from Barsana, 3 km from Jatipura, 26 km from Mathura, 70 km from Agra, 180 km from Delhi. You can get direct buses from Agra, Delhi etc. to reach Govardhan hill
