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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