14. Shri Shri Govardhan Hill
Govardhana Hill also called Mount Govardhana, Giri
Raj and Royal Hill, is a sacred Hindu site in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh, India on a 8km long hill located in the
area of Govardhan and Radha Kund, which is about 20 kilometres
(12 mi) from Vrindavan.
Known
as Govardhan or Giriraj it is the sacred center of Braj and
is identified as a natural form of the Lord Krishna himself (Govardhana sila).
The name 'Govardhana'
has two primary translations. In the literal meaning, 'Go' translates to
'cows', and 'vardhana' translates to 'nourishment'. Another meaning of 'Go' is
'the senses' and 'vardhana' can also mean 'to increase' - thus the name is also
translated by devotees of Krishna as 'that which increases the senses' in their
attraction to Krishna. In this connection, it is believed that the personality
of Govardhan blesses the devotee by increasing his devotion (bhakti). Thus, by residing in
the foothills of Govardhan Hill, all the senses and the respective duties of a
soul attain divinity and are more inclined to perform service to Krishna
Govardhan Hill, stretching from Radha Kund to south of Govardhan, is a long ridge that, at its highest, stands a mere 100 feet (30 m) above the surrounding land, belying artistic depictions of it as a steep hill. At the southern end of the hill is the village of Punchari, while at the crest stand the villages of Aanyor and Jatipura.
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 brother Balaram are said to have spent many happy hours roaming among its shady 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 and raas with Radha.
n 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 and raas with Radha.
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