- By Kashish Rai
- Wed, 22 Oct 2025 01:38 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Divine Paths: The Govardhan Parikrama is a symbol of devotion and reverence for Lord Krishna. Millions of devotees participate in this 21-kilometre sacred journey, demonstrating their devotion to Lord Krishna. According to legend, Lord Krishna lifted Govardhan mountain on his little finger to protect his devotees. This circumambulation is believed to cleanse sins, fulfill desires, and bring peace to the soul. This journey holds spiritual and religious significance for devotees.
In The Daily Jagran’s Series Divine Paths, let us uncover all the important details regarding the distance and significance of performing this sacred hill pilgrimage.
The Distance Of Shri Govardhan Hill Parikrama
The entire circumambulation of Shri Govardhan Giriraj Ji is seven kos (14 miles) (21 km). Some devotees, according to their convenience, divide the Govardhan Giriraj Ji circumambulation into two parts and cover it in two days. These two circumambulations are known as Choti and Badi Parikrama. Govardhan village lies in the middle of the circumambulation. Radhakund village is situated to its north and Puchhri and Jatipura villages are situated to its south. The circumambulation from Govardhan Daanghati via Anyaur, Poochhri, Jatipura and then returning to Govardhan is called Badi Parikrama. It is of four kos (12 km).
The parikrama from Govardhan, passing through Uddhav Kund, Radha Kund, Kusum Sarovar and then back to Govardhan, is called the Choti Parikrama. This parikrama covers 3 kos (9 km). Devotees offer their own parikramas as per their wish. It is best to complete the entire parikrama (seven kos) in a single day. The Saptakosiya Shri Govardhan Giriraj Ji Parikrama includes many smaller parikramas, such as Mansi Ganga, Radha Kund, Govind Kund, etc.
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A view of the sacred Govardhan Giriraj from Parikrama. (Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)
The Sacred Kundas Situated In Govardhan
There are many kundas or ponds like Radha Rani Charanamrit Kund, Charanamrit Kund, Dani Bartan Kund, Kashni Kund, Sankarshan Kund, Govind Kund, Apsara Kund, Airavat Kund, Harji Kund, Rudra Kund, Uddhav Kund, Brahmacharimayam Kund, Radha Kund Krishna Kund, Kusum Sarovar, Narad Kund, Shyam Kutir, Gwal Pokhara, Mansi Ganga etc. According to the scriptures and the statements of the people of Braj, there are 108 ponds on the Shri Govardhan Giriraj Ji Parikrama route.
A view of the sacred Radha Kund situated at Govardhan Parikrama. (Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)
The Height Of Shri Giriraj Govardhan Mountain
5000 years ago, this Govardhan mountain was 30,000 meters high, but now it is perhaps only 30 meters tall. Due to the curse of the sage Pulastya, this mountain is shrinking by a handful every day. This is the same mountain that Lord Krishna lifted on his little finger. Shri Govardhan Mountain is located 22 kilometres from Mathura. Govardhan Mountain is also known as Giriraj Ji.
Lord Krishna lifts the sacred Govardhan Hill to save the Brajwasis from the wrath of Lord Indra. (Image Source: ISKCON Bangalore)
Significance Of Worshipping Giriraj Govardhan
The Bhagavad Gita and the Bhagavata Purana associate Giriraj Govardhan with the incarnation of Lord Krishna. In the Bhagavata Purana, Lord Krishna considered Giriraj Govardhan inseparable from himself. He instructed the people of Braj to worship Mount Govardhan instead of Indra, because in his view, the sacred Govardhan Hill and he himself are one and the same. Thus, Mount Govardhan is worshipped as the embodiment of Lord Krishna.
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