Rules for Govardhan Parikrama
The Puranas say that Govardhan Hill was once 3 km (2 miles) high, 5,000 years ago, but because of the curse of Pulastya Muni, it is sinking by the distance of one sesame seed daily. At present, its highest point is only 25m (80 ft) high.
The parikrama (circumambulation) route is 25 km (14 miles) long. It is a form of worship to walk around Govardhan Hill. Of all the devotees of Lord Krishna, Govardhana Hill is the best because it supplies Krishna and Balarama with all types of necessities.
But the parikrama is done with some basic rules, in order to get the maximum result from the sacred deed.
- According to the Shastra rules, parikrama should be done bare foot and not on vehicles as people do these days. The start and end point should be the same and should be worshiped properly during start and ending of the 22 kilometre long parikrama.
- Other than Brijvasis living in the area, no one should step on Shri Govardhana. This is because, according to the shastras, Govardhan is a form of Krishna and not different from him.
- The parikrama should be done clockwise, i.e. the Govardhan hill should be on your right throughout the parikrama.
- Do not spit or urinate on the parikrama road encircling the sacred hill.
- Mansi Ganga, Radha Kund and Shyam Kund falls in between the parikrama road of Govardhan. One needs to encircle them as well, as they are the integral part of the sacred Govardhan parikrama. Devotees can also take a holy dip in kunds and river, using the facilities provided at respective places.
- Devotees are not supposed to wash their dirty clothers in Radha Kund, Shyam Kund or Mansi Ganga as they are sacred and forms of Lords themselves.
- Parikrama can be done by walking, or by doing “dandwat’s” after every step, based on one’s devotion towards the Lord.
- A parikrama is only considered complete after one has worshiped the Brahmins and Vaishnavas.
- Devotees can also chant Lord’s name, do kirtan and japa to fix the mind on Krishna while doing parikrama.
- No living being (human, animal, plants or trees) should be hurt at any time, what to speak of during parikrama. The plants and trees around the sacred hill are considered to take the form of Gopis during Ras, every night
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