Govardhana Hill (Sanskrit:गोवर्धन;pronounced[ɡoːʋɐrdʰɐnɐ]), also calledMount Govardhana andGiriraj, is a sacredHindu site in theMathura district ofUttar Pradesh,India on an 8 km long hill located in the area ofGovardhan andRadha Kund,[1][2] which is about 21 kilometres (13 miles) fromVrindavan.[3] It is the sacred centre ofBraj and is identified as a natural form ofKrishna, theGovardhana Shila.[4][5]
Govardhan Hill, stretching from Radha Kund to south of Govardhan, is a long ridge that, at its highest, stands 100 feet (30 m) above the surrounding land. At the southern end of the hill is the village of Punchari, while at the crest stand the villages of Aanyor and Jatipura.[6] The parikarma path of Govardhan hill is intersected by some part of district Deeg of State of Rajasthan.
Govardhan Hill is considered a sacred site because it is the setting for many legends relating to the life of Lord Krishna, the deity believed to be embodied in the earth of the hill. Krishna and his brotherBalarama are said to have spent many happy hours roaming among its shade providing groves, pools, caves and lush cow-pastures. An Eden-like sanctuary, the area's waterfalls, garden-grove (van), arbour (nikunj), water tank (kund), and flora are depicted in scenes of Krishna's adventures withRadha.[6]
The buildings and other structures on the Hill date from the sixteenth century. As of 2013[update], there is no known archaeological evidence of any remains of greater age.[7]
A few of the sites include:
There are legends of Krishna’s saving the hill from a flood, dalliances withgopis (cow-herders)’, and interactions with demons and gods. Artwork has been created of the hill represented as a bull and a peacock, Krishna in a cave, the hill as a mountain of food, depicted in the floods brought on byIndra, and with theYamuna River.[6]
In 2018, theUttar Pradesh Chief Minister declared Govardhan as a pilgrimage centre along withMathura,Baldev,Nandgaon,Radha Kund, andGokul.[10] The U.P. Government has also planned to rejuvenate Govardhan Parvat withDvapara Yuga flora such askadamb, karoli, tamal, pakkad, and tilkan.[11]
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IN-UP27°30′37.93″N77°28′33.98″E / 27.5105361°N 77.4761056°E /27.5105361; 77.4761056