Govardhana

The hill Kṛṣṇa lifted · near Mathurā, Uttar Pradesh

Govardhana is a long, low hill in Braja, worshipped by Kṛṣṇa devotees as a form of Kṛṣṇa himself. Pilgrims walk the parikramā around it, a circuit of about twenty-one kilometres, some even measuring the whole distance by prostrating themselves. On the way are Rādhā Kuṇḍa and Śyāma Kuṇḍa, two sacred ponds especially dear to the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava tradition.

Govardhana Pūjā and Annakūṭa, the day after Dīpāvalī, are celebrated by offering mountains of food. Pebbles of Govardhana (govardhana-śilā) are worshipped in some homes.

The Bhāgavata tells how Kṛṣṇa persuaded the people of Braja to worship Govardhana, which fed their cows, instead of Indra. Angry, Indra sent torrential rain. Kṛṣṇa lifted the hill on his little finger and held it like an umbrella for seven days, sheltering everyone, until Indra humbly accepted his mistake.

Uttar Pradesh · Parikramā ~21 km · Govardhana Pūjā · Annakūṭa

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