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About Govardhan

Govardhan or Goverdhan, a tehsil in Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh is a key pilgrimage centre in India and a nagar panchayat. This municipal town is 23km from Mathura on the road link between Mathura and Deeg.

Govardhan Hill

Govardhan Hill

Each year several thousand devotees of Lord Krishna and other people make a pilgrimage to Govardhan to visit the sacred Govardhan Hill and pay homage to Krishna and Radha especially during Govardhan Puja. One of the most significant reasons for visiting Govardhan is to celebrate the lifting of Govardhan Hill or Giriraj Parvat by Lord Krishna to protect the villagers from the flood caused by Indra - the Lord of thunder and rain.

Govardhan Pooja

Govardhan Puja held a day after Diwali is one of the most celebrated festivals among the Hindus. It is on this day that Indra, was defeated by Krishna. Govardhan Hill is one of the most sacred sites according to Hindu mythology. Krishna along with his brother Balaram spent a lot of time in the ponds, forest, caves, and the place where the cows would feed. Legends describe the place to be bestowed with heavenly beauty where Krishna and Radha spent a lot of their time together.

Legend Behind Govardhan Hill

As per the legend, Krishna saw farmers making elaborate preparations for Lord Indra. This made him question his father Nanda. He argued with the villages and questioned their dharma. He told the villagers that they should do their duty and concentrate on farming instead of praying or conducting sacrifices for rain and other natural occurrence.

The villagers were convinced with Krishna’s words and did not conduct the special puja meant for Indra. This angered Indra who in turn flooded the village. Krishna then lifted the Govardhan Hill to protect his people and their cattle from rain. Indra eventually accepted defeat and acknowledged Krishna as supreme.

On this day, devotees come to Govardhan for parikrama. The parikrama or circumambulation path is 25km. It is a form of worship to walk around Govardhan Hill.

Places of Interest in Govardhan

The other places of interest in Govardhan Hill include Kusum Sarovar, Haridev Temple, Daan-Ghati Temple and Mukharbind Temple. Govardhan also houses Mansi Ganga, a close-ended lake, on the banks of which there are a few temples, important among them being the Mukharbind temple.
Devotees take rocks from Govardhan Hill and worship them exactly as they worship the deity of Krishna in the temple.

Haridev Temple

Haridev Temple

The Haridev Temple which is about 2 minute walk from Manasi-ganga, was established by Krishna's great-grandson 4,800 years ago. Haridev is one of the four main deities of Vrindavan. The temple was built by King Bhagandas of Jaipur, whose son, Rajaman Singh, built the Govindaji Temple in the sixteenth century during the reign of Emperor Akbar.

Like other deities, the original deity of Harideva was shifted to Rajdhani near Kanpur when Aurangzeb was set to destroy most of the HIndu temples.However, nobody knows the whereabouts of the deity now as it is not longer on Rajdhani.

Sri Haridev is the main deity of Giriraj-Govardhan and no Govardhana-parikrama is complete without His darshan. Manasi-ganga is traditionally the starting and ending point of the Govardhana-parikrama.

Places Near Govardhan

Aniyora, home to the temple of Balaram is a small village which you can visit after Govardhan. The Gopalji deity was founded by Madhavendra Puri while staying near here. Just after the village is Govind Kund where Krishna was bathed by Indra after he lifted the Govardhan Hill.

Govind Kund


This kund was done specially for the bathing ceremony of Lord Krishna. The Apsara Kund which lies at the end of Govardhan is said to have been made when the seven Apsaras came down to bathe Lord Krishna. Govardhan Hill looks like a peacock, and therefore the kund beside the Apsara Kund is named Punchari Kund, as this is the tail end of Govardhan.

In the middle of the hill, the town Jatipura at Sringa Stali, worshippers pour milk over a Govardhan shila. The samadhis of Vallabha Acharya and his son Vitthala are present here.

How to Reach Govardhan

One of the best ways to reach Govardhan is from Delhi.

By Bus: Lots of buses travel frequently from Delhi to Govardhan. There are AC deluxe buses as well to make your journey comfortable.

By Train: Govardhan is the nearest railway station and trains from Mathura, Delhi and Agra make a stop at Govardhan. Some of the trains are:

  • UP Samparkranti
  • Gujarat Samparkranti
  • Kota Janshatabdi
By Air: The nearest airport is Agra in UP and Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Delhi.

Hotels in Govardhan

Hotel Gitanjali
Near Goverdhan Bus Stand Goverdhan Mathura Road, Goverdhan, 281502 Govardhan, India

Hotel Wingston
Radha Kund Road Goverdhan Uttar Pradesh, 281502 Govardhan, India –

Shri Radha Brij Vasundhara Resort & Spa
Aanyor Parikrama Marg, Govardhan, 281502 Govardhan, India

Gaurav Hotel, Goverdhan
19km Milestone On Mathura Goverdhan Road, Entry point of Goverdhan, 281502 Govardhan, India

Restaurants in Govardhan

Brijwala Restaurant
Bankey Bihari Mandir Road, Opposite Japuri Bhawanx

Taj Family Restaurant

Daresi Road Near Shree Krishan Janam Sthan

Brijwasi Mithai Wala
Janambhoomi Link Road Shri Krishnama Bhoomi

Mirchi Tadka Sip And Bite
Bm Plaza Complex, Near By Museum Circle

Babylon Restaurant
Kotwali Road Opposite Shree Krishna Janmasthan

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