Govardhan Hill was lifted by Krishna to protect the vrajvasis from the thunderous rains of Indra. Thousands of devotees perform Govardhan Parikrama on a regular basis, and especially on festivals like Govardhan Puja, Kartik, Purusottam and Guru Purnima.
From above, Govardhan looks like a peacock. Also, Radha Kund and Shyam Kund are like its two eyes. The end part, Puchri ka lota, is like its tail. Govardhan is the place where Radha and Krishna had many loving pastimes. For example, Radha and Krishna would meet here by Radha Kund in the afternoon. This was a very important pastime.
Krishna would come near Manasi Ganga with his cowherd friends to graze his cows. At the same time, Radha would come to Radha Kund. She would tell her mother-in-law, Jatila, that she was going to the temple. But really, she came to meet Krishna. Then, Vrinda Devi would bring Krishna away from his friends at Manasi Ganga. She would make him meet Radha at Sri Radha Kund.
Krishna lifted Goverdhan on his little finger!
Krishna told the people of Braj to worship Govardhan Hill instead of Lord Indra. This is because Govardhan Hill gives them good fruits, water, and everything they need without asking for anything in return. Because of this, Indra became angry and sent heavy rain for seven days straight. However, Krishna lifted Govardhan Mountain with just the little finger of His left hand for seven days. Finally, Indra realized that Krishna was the Supreme God. He understood his pride and asked Krishna for forgiveness.
Goverdhan parikrama
Many devotees walk around (Parikrama) Giriraj Ji. Walking around Govardhan is like gently touching Krishna’s feet with love. Srila Sanatana Goswami used to walk around Govardhan every day even when he was old. Because of this, Krishna appeared to him. Krishna gave him a Govardhan Shila, and asked Sanatana Goswami to walk around this Shila four times each day. Doing this would be the same as walking around Govardhan itself. Now, this special Shila is at the Radha Damodar Temple in Vrindavan. You can view the aerial view of Goverdhan here.
Places to visit
- Shyam Kund: After killing demon Aristasura who came in a form of a bull, lord Krishna created this Kund with his toe. Afterwards, he invited all the rivers to come there and took a dip in Shyam Kund to get rid of sin of killing a bull. In Sanatan dharma killing a bull or cow is prohibited and is considered a grave sin. Out of love for lord Krishna, Radha rani declared this Kund as her favorite place in entire creation.
- Radha Kund: Radharani created this Kund using her bangles and later all the holy rivers manifested and filled the kund with their holy water at the request of lord Krishna. Out of love for Radha rani lord Krishan declared this Kund as his favorite place in entire creation.
- Kusum Sarovar: Here, Radharani showed herself to Sri Narada Muni. Also, Krishna used flowers from Kusum Sarovar to decorate Radha’s hair. Kusum means flower, and Sarovar means pond. So, Kusum Sarovar in Vrindavan is a pond full of pretty flowers. It is a place where Radha and Krishna enjoyed many loving times.
- Radha Van Vihari Mandir: At this temple, Krishna decorates Sri Radha’s hair.
- Dan Ghati Mandir: Krishna acted like a tax man here. He stopped the Gopis who were going to sell butter in Mathura. He asked for tax, but the Gopis said Radha was the queen of Vrindavan, so who was he to ask for tax? Krishna said he was the tax man for the Lord of Beauty, and since the Gopis were beautiful, they had to pay. The Gopis laughed and kept going. Then, Krishna threw stones at the pots on their heads and stole their butter. Later, the Gopis complained to Yasoda Maiya.
- Mansi Ganga: Yasoda Maiya and Nanda Baba wanted to bathe in the Ganga River. But they didn’t want to leave Vraj Bhumi. So, Krishna made the Mansi Ganga appear from his mind at Govardhan.
- Govind Kund: The statues of Srinath Ji appeared at Govind Kund. Now, these statues are in Nathwada, Gujarat.
- Jivya Mandir: This place is like the tongue of Govardhan Hill. During the annakut festival (Govardhan Puja), Giriraj Ji eats the food offered by the people of Vraja from here.
- Puchri ka Lota: This place is like the tail of Govardhan Hill. From above, it looks like a peacock.
- Surbhi Kund: After episode of Krishna lifting Goverdhan Parvat on his little finger, Indra and other gods bathed Krishna with milk from Krishna’s dear Surbhi Cows asking for forgiveness from him. They gave him the name Govinda, which means the protector of cows and Gopis.
- Airavat Footprint: Indra came here on his elephant, Airavat, to ask forgiveness from Krishna. You can still see Airavat’s footprint here. Also, there is a small temple built at this place. Surbhi Kund is very close, just two minutes away.