Govardhan - A Pilgrimage Town
Distance :48km from
Bharatpur, 15km east of Deeg
¤ A Pilgrimage Town
This quiet little spot with narrow winding lanes is closely linked
with Lord Krishna, the most loved deity in Hindu mythology. This
mischievous god is said to have lived in these areas, and as such
worship and devotion have a very tangible feel here. Govardhan is an
important place of pilgrimage too. According to legend, Krishna once
protected the people of Govardhan from the wrath of Indra, the God of
Rain (also the great Warrior God). It so happened that Indra hurled a
terrible thunderbolt at these poor people (for reasons quite unknown
to us). So Krishna lifted a whole mountain, the nearby Mount Giriraj,
and held it on his little finger for seven days and nights as an
umbrella against the terrible rain and cyclone. Such were the miracles
Krishna is supposed to have performed.Later Indra had to fall at
Krishna's feet and ask for forgiveness, of course.
¤ Famous Temples
There are lots of temples in Govardhan. The most interesting one is
the 16th century Harideva Temple. Near this is a complex of chhatris
(cenotaphs) of the Jat maharajas of Bharatpur which have some really
nice frescoes. Their curved cornices and multiple domes and pavilions
make them somewhat similar to the Rajput architectural pieces. There
is another chhatri dedicated to the most illustrious Jat ruler, Suraj
Mal, about 3km north of here. The ceiling has frescoes showing
episodes from the life of the maharaja. |
