Category Archives: Govardhan

Dana Ghati

Dan Ghati means "the place where taxes were collected." Dan Ghati is a pass to cross to the other side of Govardhana Hill. This place is on top of Govardhana Hill, where the Mathura Road crosses Govardhana Hill. The shape of Govardhana Hill is like a peacock. This place is said to be the narrow stretch of the peacock's neck.

Dana Ghati

The gapis would pass through here with their stock of milk, butter, cheese and yogurt on their way to the other side of Go¬vardhana Hill. One time, the gopis were crossing Govardhana Hill with their stock of milk products to bring them to a big yajna (sacrifice) that was being conducted at Govinda Kunda. Krishna, along with the cowherd boys such as Sridama, Madhumangala and Sudama came and blocked the pass. Krishna and his friends told the gopis that they had to pay a tax. The gopis, such as Lalita and Visakha challenged Krishna. They said, who are you to charge us tax. Krishna told them that this place belongs to me, because I am the King of Braja. The gopis tried to get through without paying the tax, but eventually they were forced to give a little of all the items they had. Srila Rupa Go¬svami describes this pastime in detail in his book, Dana Keli Kaumudi.

The Dani Raya Temple is on top of Govardhana Hill. At the present time there is no worship in this temple. It is said that Vajranabha built a temple here because of the tax pastimes that took place here. After you leave the town of Govardhana, after a few minutes, you will see this temple on top of Govardhana Hill.

Getting there
This is the road in the town of Govardhana that the Laksmi Narayana temple is on. This road goes over Govardhana Hill. You are on this road when you make the turnoff to leave the town of Govardhana.

ISKCON Govardhana

ISKCON Govardhana

This place is an old palace with a good size yard and a new stone boundary wall. It is a peaceful place to spend the day, or a good place to rest while doing Govardhana parikrama. Getting there- This place is about half a km out of the town of Govar¬dhana, on the left side of the parikrama path. There is a sign saying ISKCON in the wall.

Dan Nivartan Kunda

Dan-nivartan means "the place where the tax was excused." After Krishna had taxed the gopis, the gopis wanted to get re¬venge. So all the gopis got together and hid in the forest. At that time, Krishna was walking through the forest with just a few friends. The gopis caught Krishna and His friends. They then made Krishna bow down to Srimati Radharani and beg her for forgiveness, as punishment for making them pay a tax.

Dan Nivartan Kunda

Getting there
This kunda (15m by 20m) is on the right side of the parikmma path, right next to Govardhana Hill. It is about 250m pass the ISKCON prop¬erty and one km outside of the town of Govardhana.

Aniyora

After leaving the town of Govardhana, you come to the vil¬lage of Aniyora. This town is about 3 km (2 miles) from the town of Govardhana on the parikrama path. It is said that the cowherd boys and girls had wonderful pastimes here with Krishna.

Aniyora

In Bengali, aniyora means "bring more." In this village, the Annakuta festival took place. After the residences of Braja of¬fered a huge feast to Govardhana, Krishna assumed a huge form and declared that He was actually Govardhana Hill. He then ate all the offered food. Govardhana Hill then asked the cowherd men to "bring more." This is why this place is named Aniyora.