The route in plain words
The parikrama circles Govardhan hill, also called Giriraj, through the town of Govardhan and a string of villages. Pilgrims keep the hill on their right and walk clockwise. The circuit is 21 km. Most people start near Mansi Ganga in Govardhan town, and finish at the same place.
Along the way you meet kunds, temples and the small shrines of the hill itself. The main stops include Mansi Ganga, the Harideva temple, Daan Ghati, Kusum Sarovar, Radha Kund and Shyam Kund, Punchari and Jatipura. Each has its own story. Daan Ghati is where Krishna asked the gopis for a toll, and Radha Kund is held among the holiest bathing places in Braj.
How long, and how hard
On foot, expect 6 to 8 hours with stops. Some people walk barefoot as tradition asks. Others wear socks, because the road can be hot, and nobody will mind. Elders and children can do part of it and join the car later.
A car cannot follow the walking path through every village lane. The usual way is that you walk, and the car and driver wait at points on the road where they can meet you, with water, shoes and a rest. We plan these meeting points before you start. You decide how much you walk.
When to go
- October to March: cool mornings, the best months to walk.
- Purnima (full moon): many people walk through the night, and the road is full.
- Day after Diwali: Govardhan Puja and Annakut, when the hill is worshipped with mountains of food. Beautiful and extremely busy.
- Monsoon: green and lovely, but the road can be muddy. Take care with footing.
Respect the hill
Locals ask pilgrims not to carry away stones from Giriraj. Keep the path clean, take your own bottles back, and speak softly near the shrines. We follow the path Krishna gave in the Gita and keep dharma at every place we take you, so our drivers carry bags and keep time, and leave the walking and the prayer to you.