Sri Giriraj Maharaj Ji Temple – Mathura
Sri Giriraj Maharaj Ji
Temple is located on Govardhan hill in Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh State.
Lord Krishna is the main
deity of this temple.
Giriraj is the sacred
center of Braj and is identified as a natural form of the Lord Krishna himself
(Govardhana Sila).
Giriraj Mountain is
another name for Govardhan Mountain. To protect the Brajvas from Indra's wrath,
Lord Krishna raised the Govardhan mountain on his finger.
The temple was
constructed in the Jaipur architectural style and faces south. In front of the
main temple complex, there are three large domes.
The story goes like this,
All the gwals (people who take care of Cows) and farmers used to worship God
Indra (Hindu God of Rain), for the proper rainfall of the season. This was an age-long practice going on in the Brij area. One day Krishna as a child challenged
this practice and argued that Indra must give rain whether or not
you offer him prayers. Krishna said instead we should worship Goverdhan, who is
providing us the water and fodder for the survival of cattle. Gwals agreed on
this and offered worship to Goverdhan instead of Indra. On this Indra got angry
and ordered his furious clouds to burst on Brij and destroy it with rain and
flood. As the rain got heavy all Gwals planned to leave the Brij Area; Krishna
asked why should we leave when Goverdhan was here. Krishna through his leela
lifted the Goverdhan hill only on his index finger. All the living organisms of the Brij area were sheltered under it. This rain continued for 7 days till all the
clouds of Indra were emptied; Indra's pride was destroyed and he agreed that
till Shri Goverdhan was there no one could do bad in the Brij area. From that day
onwards Goverdhan Hill is worshiped and prayed as Lord Krishna himself. From
this Leela onwards Krishna got the name 'Goverdhan-dhari' (one who beholds Goverdhan)
and 'Indradaman' (one who broke the pride of Indra).
Temple Timings
5.30 am to 12.00 noon
4.00 pm to 9.30 pm
How to reach the Temple
21 km from Mathura
1 km from Govardhan
Nearby Temples
Barsana, Sri Radha Rani
Mandir – 21 km
Mathura, Sri Krishna
Janmasthan Temple – 22 km
Mathura, Sri Dwarakadheesh
Mandir – 24 km
Vrindavan, Sri Banke
Bihari Temple – 29 km
Vrindavan, Katyayani Peeth – 29 km.
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