Govardhan Hill 4.9

Govardhana Hill, also called Mount Govardhana, Giri Raj and Royal Hill, is a sacred Hindu site in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh, India on a 8km long hill located in the area of Govardhan and Radha Kund, which is about 20km from Vrindavan.Known as Govardhan or Giriraj it is the sacred center of Braj and is identified as a natural form of the Lord Krishna himself (Govardhana sila).EtymologyThe name 'Govardhana' has two primary translations. In the literal meaning, 'Go' translates to 'cows', and 'vardhana' translates to 'nourishment'. Another meaning of 'Go' is 'the senses' and 'vardhana' can also mean 'to increase' - thus the name is also translated by devotees of Krishna as 'that which increases the senses' in their attraction to Krishna. In this connection, it is believed that the personality of Govardhan blesses the devotee by increasing his devotion (bhakti). Thus, by residing in the foothills of Govardhan Hill, all the senses and the respective duties of a soul attain divinity and are more inclined to perform service to Krishna.GeographyGovardhan Hill, located from Radha Kund to south of Govardhan, is a long ridge that at its highest is only 100feet above the surrounding land, contrary to artistic depictions of it as a steep hill. At the southern end of the hill is the village of Punchari. At the crest are the villages of Aanyor and Jatipura.