Krishna ExperienceThe story behind the walk
When the people of Braj, at Krishna's urging, worshipped Govardhan hill instead of Indra, the king of the gods sent seven days of storm. Krishna lifted the hill on one finger and sheltered everyone beneath it until Indra gave up. Read the full Govardhan leela.
Hold up Govardhan for seven daysPress and hold to lift the hill in Indra’s storm.The route in order
The parikrama makes a long loop around the hill, which is low and about 8 km long. Pilgrims usually describe it as two parts: the badi (bigger) parikrama of about 12 km and the chhoti (smaller) parikrama of about 9 km, which together make the full 7 kos. Starting at Daan Ghati and going clockwise, keeping the hill on your right:
| Order | Place | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daan Ghati | Where Krishna playfully stopped the gopis and demanded a "tax" of butter. The usual starting point. |
| 2 | Anyor | A village where the Annakut feast of Govardhan Puja is said to have been offered |
| 3 | Govind Kund | Where Indra, defeated, bathed Krishna and named him Govinda |
| 4 | Poonchari ka Lautha | The shrine of Lautha, Krishna's friend who is waiting for him to return. Pilgrims "sign in" here so Lautha can report that they came. This stretch crosses briefly into Rajasthan. |
| 5 | Jatipura (Mukharvind) | The "face" of Giriraj, where milk is poured over the hill. Many pilgrims start here instead. |
| 6 | Radha Kund and Shyam Kund | Twin ponds dug, in tradition, by Krishna and by Radha; among the holiest places in Braj |
| 7 | Kusum Sarovar | A large stepped tank with sandstone pavilions, where Radha gathered flowers |
| 8 | Uddhav Kund | Associated with Uddhava, Krishna's friend and messenger to the gopis |
| 9 | Manasi Ganga | The great pond in Govardhan town, said to have appeared from Krishna's mind |
| 10 | Daan Ghati | The circle is complete |
How to do it
- Start before dawn. In summer the road surface gets hot by mid-morning. In winter, early-morning fog is common.
- Barefoot or not. Walking barefoot is traditional, and much of the marg is paved. If you are not used to it, wear simple sandals or thick socks.
- Take breaks. There are tea stalls and shade all along the route, and e-rickshaws if you need to skip a stretch.
- Dandavat parikrama. You will see sadhus prostrating along the entire route, marking each body-length with a stone. Some take weeks.
- Leave the stones. Every stone of Govardhan is treated as sacred; the custom in Braj is not to carry them away.
When it is busiest
On Guru Purnima (the Mudiya Purnima fair), Govardhan Puja (the day after Diwali) and the extra lunar month of Adhik Maas, hundreds of thousands walk the marg, many through the night. Ekadashi and full-moon days are also crowded.
Questions people ask
How long is the Govardhan Parikrama?
About 21 km (7 kos). It is often described as a 12 km badi parikrama and a 9 km chhoti parikrama.
How long does Govardhan Parikrama take?
Most people walk it in 5 to 7 hours, longer with temple stops and rests.
Where does Govardhan Parikrama start?
Traditionally at Daan Ghati, though you can start anywhere (many begin at Jatipura or Manasi Ganga) as long as you finish where you began.
Can elderly people do Govardhan Parikrama?
Yes, by e-rickshaw or car along the parikrama road, stopping at the main sites. Many families do it this way.
Sources
- Bhagavata Purana, Canto 10, chapters 24–27 (the Govardhan leela)
- Yatradham: Govardhan parikrama route