Temples in Govardhana
Govardhana Temples
The Haridevi Temple, near Manasi Ganga, was established by Krisa's great-grandson 4800 years ago. Harideva is one of the four presiding Deities of Vrindavana, so one should ask His blessings before doing parikrama. The temple is a three-minute walk from the southern bank of Manasi Ganga. Lord Harideva is the presiding Deity for the western petal of the lotus of Braja Dhama. He is the lifter of Govardnana Hill. The temple was built by King Bhagandas of Jaipur, whose son, Raja Man Singh, built the Govindaji Temple in the sixteenth century during the reign of Emperor Akbar. The original Deity of Harideva was moved to the town of Rajdhani near Kanpur, when Aurangzeb tried to destroy the Deities and temples of Vrindavana. Lord Caitanya danced before this Deity.
Brahma Kund is the water that collected after Lord Brahma bathed Lord Krishna. This is where Lord Brahma offered his prayers after he took the cowherd boys away and hid them to test the power of Krishna. It is located on the southern bank of Manasi Ganga. Both Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda visited here. Manasi Devi Temple is located on the bank of Brahma Kund. Manasi Devi is the presiding deity of Manasi Ganga and one of the four main goddesses of Braja Dhama. The others are Vrinda Devi, in Kamyavana; Yogamaya Devi in Vrindavan; and Pataleswari in Mathura.
After taking bath in Manasi Ganga and darshan of Harideva, one returns to the parikrama path and continues on through the market. One will then come to a busy crossing where you should turn right on the road that goes over Govardhana Hill about three hundred meters ahead. Just before reaching the top of hr hill, you will come to the Laksmi Narayana Temple on your left. This it one of the 108 Divya Desam Temples mentioned by the Alwars as being one of the most important temples in India. These Deities are considered to be the utsava (festival) Deities of Govardhana Hill. Just after the Laksmi Narayana Temple, before the top of the hill is a left turn to continue the parikrama of Govardhana.
ISKCON Temple (Govardhana)
There is an ISKCON property about 500m out of the town of Govardhana on the left side of the Govardhana Hill parikrama path. It is a peaceful place to spend the day, or a good place to rest while doing Govardhana parikrama. It is an old palace with a good size yard and a new stone boundary wall. There is a small white stone sign saying ISKCON in the wall. There are some very basic living facilities here.
Govarcihana Hill Parikrama
Govardhana Hill was about two miles high 5000 years ago, but because of the curse of Pulastya Muni, it is sinking the height of mustard seed daily.
The parikrama (circumambulation) route is 25 km (14 miles). It is a form of worship to walk around Govardhana Hill. Of all the devotees of Lord Krishna, Govardhana Hill is the best because it supplies Krishna and Balarama with all types of necessities. In the Varaha Porana it is said "Anyone who performs Govardhana parikrama will never have to take birth in this world again." Presently at its highest point the hill is just 80 feet high. Rupa Goswami stated in his Mathura Mahatyam that one should first bathe in Manasi Ganga and then take darshan of Harideva before starting parikrama. There are many important be visited while going around Govardhana Hill.
After leaving the town of Govardhana you come to the village of Aniyora. In this village there is a Balarama Temple by Sankarsana Kund. The Balarama Deity was originally installed by Vajranabha nearly 5000 years temple is about 200 years old. Balarama is black and about five feet high.
Govinda Kund is just after the village of Aniyora. This is where Lord Indra bathed Krishna after Krishna lifted Govardhana Hill. This kund was made by the bathing ceremony. Madhavendra Puri found the Gopalji Deity while staying here. This Gopalji Deity is now known as Sri Nathji and is worshipped at Nathdwar in Rajasthan. Indra Tila is a small hill on the southern bank of Govinda Kund. This is where Lord Indra and mother Surabhi are said to have bathed Lord Krishna.
Dan Nivartana Kund is where the tax collection pastimes of the Lord took place.
The Radha-Govinda Temple is located between Nipa Kund and Govinda Kund. The Govinda Deity is playing a flute.
At the tail end of Govardhana is Apsara Kund, which is said to have been created when the seven main Apsaras came and bathed Lord Krishna. Govardhana Hill is said to resemble a peacock, so the kund next to Apsara Kund is called Punchari Kund, as this area is the tail (punch) of Govardhana. Next to these two kunds is a Narasimha Temple.
Jatipura is named after Madhavendra Puri, who was a sannyasi, or jati. He worshiped the Deity of Gopal (Sri Nathji) here. In the town of Jatipura, at Sringa Stali, at the middle of the hill, devotees pour milk over a Govardhana shila. The samadhis of Vallabha acarya and his son Viththala, to whom Madhavendra Puri entrusted the worship of Gopala, are located here.
Devotees take rocks from Govardhana Hill and worship them exactly as they worship the Deity of Krishna in the temple. This worship is as good as Deity worship. Lord Krishna has appeared as Govardhana-shila (a stone from the hill), so that His devotees may render service to Him. It is important that not just anyone takes a rock from Govardhana Hill. The right to worship a Govardhana-shila should be given only by the guru (spiritual teacher). So his permission should be taken before beginning worship.
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