Chaitanya das
(Vrindavan Today) – Millions perform Govardhan Parikrama on Mudiya Puno
- Govardhan’s Circumambulation Draws Devotees Worldwide for Spiritual Journey
- Hundreds gather at the Samadhi of Shrila Sanatan Goswami Pada to pay their tribute to the Acharya
- Special Seva of Shri Madan Mohan ji performed with 64 Mahant Bhog
- Babaji’s tonsure their heads to become Mudiya in memory of the disappearance of Shrila Sanatan Goswami Pada
2023.07.03 (Vrindavan Today News): Giriraj ji, a sacred town, experiences a massive influx of devotees during the Mudia Purnima festival, attracting an astounding ten million worshippers each year. Devotees from around the world travel to Giriraj ji to complete a circumambulation of the seven-kos (approximately 21 kilometers) pilgrimage route. This route encompasses ten villages, including Govardhan, Bhim Nagar, Anyor, Jatipura, Haripura, Sakitra, Nagla Spera, Radhakund, Nagla Sankhi, and Poochri. These villages, home to around 50 temples, numerous shops, guest houses, dharamshalas, and holy kunds (water reservoirs), have become major attractions for devotees within the seven-kos radius.
The Mudia Purnima festival, also known as Guru Purnima, holds great significance for worshippers who arrive from various parts of the country to express their deep faith and devotion towards Giriraj Maharaj. This revered tradition’s history is intertwined with the legacy of Sanatana Goswami, who entered the nitya lila of Shri Radha Krishna 464 years ago on Ashada Purnima, Samvat 1615. In remembrance and celebration of his spiritual teachings, his disciples and devotees began the tradition of shaving their heads and circumambulating Giriraj Govardhan on his disappearance day. Hundreds gather at the Samadhi of Shrila Sanatan Goswami Pada in Vrindavan to pay their tribute to the most prominent saint among the Six Goswami.
As the pilgrims embark on this sacred journey, they come together to form a remarkable sight—a human chain resembling a garland of devoted souls intricately threaded in their faith. Amidst this garland of devotion, the Giriraj mountain range offers unique darshans (views) to the pilgrims. The parikrama, or circumambulation, serves as a spiritual rosary, connecting villages that have preserved their historical heritage. The traditional starting point of the parikrama is the Danghati temple located at the foothills of Girirajji.
