Planning to perform Govardhan Parikrama but unsure where to start, which route to follow, or how far you will walk? Understanding the Govardhan Parikrama route can help you prepare for this sacred journey and approach it with a devotional spirit. Knowing the route early helps you spend more time hearing pastimes and having darshan, which you can contemplate throughout the way.
This complete guide covers the starting points, distance, time required, sacred places along the route, best time to visit, and practical preparations.
Govardhan Parikrama Route and Starting Points
Srila Rupa Goswami describes how to start Govardhan Parikrama in his book Mathura Mahatmya. He writes that devotees should first bathe in Mansi Ganga, then take darshan of the Lord at Haridev Temple, and finally perform parikrama around Govardhan Hill.
Govardhan Parikrama route is mainly divided into three based on the type of parikrama performed.
Full Parikrama: The full parikrama covers a 21-kilometer route that starts from Mansi Ganga, continues to Daan Ghati, Govind Kund, Puchhari Ka Lautha, Jatipura Mukharavind, Uddhav Kund, Radha Kund, Shyam Kund, Kusum Sarovar, and ends at Mansi Ganga.
Badi Parikrama: It covers a 12-kilometer route starting from Daan Ghati, continues to Govind Kund, Puchhari Ka Lautha, Jatipura Mukharavind, and ends at Daan Ghati
Chhoti Parikrama: It covers a distance of 9 kilometers, starts from Mansi Ganga, continues to Uddhav Kund, Radha Kund, Shyam Kund, Kusum Sarovar, and ends at Mansi Ganga.
Govardhan Parikrama Distance and Time Required
The complete Govardhan Parikrama traces a distance of 21 Km (about 13 miles or 7 kos). Devotees traditionally perform parikrama barefoot, while elderly people and those who cannot walk the entire route can use an e-rickshaw. The full parikrama would take around 5 to 7 hours on foot, and by e-rickshaw or auto it would take 1-2 hours.
Sacred Places Along the Govardhan Parikrama Route
Govardhan Parikrama begins and ends at Mansi Ganga, passing through many sacred places associated with Lord Krishna’s pastimes. These places helps up to remember the Lord and His pastimes throughout the parikrama.
Mansi Ganga
Lord Krishna personally manifested this sacred lake from His mind, as its name reflects. Mansi Ganga is situated in Govardhan town; devotees take a dip there and begin their Govardhan parikrama. This lake is also remembered for Radha and Krishna’s boating pastime, which devotees discuss and relish by hearing.
Haridev Temple
A few steps from Mansi Ganga, there is a beautiful temple of Lord Harideva, a form of Lord Krishna. This deity is associated with King Vajranabha, Lord Krishna’s great-grandson. After taking a dip in Mansi Ganga, devotees take a darshan and begin the Govardhan Parikrama.
Daan Ghati Temple
This place is associated with Lord Krishna’s Daan-lila, or tax-collecting pastime in which He would stop the gopis and demand a toll for carrying milk products. This temple is also a starting point for badi parikrama.
Anyor Village
Anyor village is the place for the Annakut offering to Govardhan Hill. Lord Krishna assumed the form of Govardhan Hill and accepted all the food offerings prepared by the residents of Vraj.
Govind Kund
This place is associated with the abhishekam ceremony of Lord Krishna by Indra and the Surabhi cow. When Indra realized his mistake of assuming Lord Krishna to be an ordinary cowherd boy, he approached the Lord with folded hands and performed abhishek of the Lord with Ganges water.
Puchari Ka Lautha
There is a temple named Puchari ka Lautha along the route, which is remembered as a cowherd friend of Krishna who continues to await His return from Mathura. This place evokes a mood of separation from Krishna.
Jatipura Mukharavind
This place is the lotus mouth of Govardhan Hill, where devotees approach Govardhan as a person and offer their prayers and service. Devotees pause their walk and offer respects to Giriraj and continue parikrama.
Uddhav Kund
This place is associated with Uddhava, a dear friend and a companion of Lord Krishna. After witnessing the unflinching love and devotion of gopis for Lord Krishna, he desired to take birth as grass in Vraja so that the dust of their lotus feet might fall upon him.
Radha Kund and Shyam Kund
Radha Kund and Shyam Kund are the two ponds associated with Srimati Radharani and Lord Krishna. After killing Aristasura, Lord Krishna created Shyam Kund and filled it with waters from all the holy rivers. Radharani and her sakhis then dug Radha Kund with their bangles, and the same holy waters filled it.
Kusum Sarovar
Kusum Sarovar is the place where Srimati Radharani and the gopis came daily to pluck flowers before meeting Krishna. Its waters, stone ghats, and serene atmosphere make it even more beautiful.
Best Time to Do Govardhan Parikrama
The best time for performing Govardhan Parikrama is during the cooler hours. Begin the parikrama between 4 and 6 AM in the morning or between 4 and 6 PM in the evening. Doing Govardhan Parikrama in the early winter season between November and December is deeply soothing. The atmosphere is naturally calm, the cool air gives a soothing sensation, and naturally the surroundings draw the mind into deep remembrance of Lord Krishna.
Although any time is best for doing Govardhan Parikrama, the thing that really matters is the mood that we are taking throughout the parikrama. Our mood should be respectful, prayerful, and grateful for this opportunity to circumambulate Govardhan Hill, which is Lord Krishna Himself.
How to Prepare for Govardhan Parikrama
Doing Govardhan Parikrama barefoot would be a little challenging for the devotees who are new to it. They should first of all prepare themselves before beginning the parikrama so that they can walk peacefully.
- Rest well before beginning the parikrama: Get enough rest the night before and have a light meal before starting the parikrama.
- Wear comfortable clothing: Choose simple, loose clothing and carry a warm shawl during winter.
- Carry the essentials: Keep drinking water, any necessary medicines, and a small amount of cash in a light bag.
- Walk at your own pace: Take breaks when needed. Elderly devotees and those unable to complete the walk can arrange an e-rickshaw.
- Prepare your heart: Seek Govardhan’s mercy and pray for the completion of parikrama. Always be in a prayerful mood while doing the parikrama and ending the parikrama.
Conclusion
Knowing the Govardhan Parikrama route before beginning helps to plan the parikrama smoothly and saves time to get absorbed in the pastimes of Lord Krishna. Whether one follows the route of the full 21 Km parikrama or short it still gives a chance to remember the Lord and His divine pastimes. With a mood of gratitude, begin the parikrama and try to remember Krishna throughout the entire journey.
