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The route and main stops
The path circles the long, low Govardhan hill. Pilgrims traditionally keep the hill on their right (clockwise). Main stops along the way include:
- Daan Ghati — the usual start and end point, in Govardhan town.
- Mansi Ganga — a large sacred kund in the town, with the Mukharvind (face of Giriraj ji) nearby.
- Kusum Sarovar — a sandstone pavilion and tank on the northern side.
- Radha Kund and Shyam Kund — twin sacred ponds a few km north of Govardhan town.
- Jatipura — on the southern side; the Mukharvind here is a major worship point.
- Poonchhari — at the southern tip of the hill, where the route turns back towards Daan Ghati.
The circuit is often split at Daan Ghati into two halves (roughly 12 km and 9 km) that people sometimes walk on separate days.
How long it takes
| How | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Walking with shoes, few stops | ≈ 5–6 hrs |
| Walking barefoot | ≈ 7–9 hrs |
| With many temple stops | ≈ 8–12 hrs |
| E-rickshaw | ≈ 1.5–3 hrs |
| Dandavat (prostrations) | Many days |
Rules and customs
- Walk clockwise, keeping the hill on your right.
- Private cars are not allowed on the parikrama marg. Walk or use e-rickshaws.
- Many pilgrims walk barefoot; the path is paved for most of the way but can be hot by midday.
- Do not take stones from Govardhan hill — they are considered sacred.
- Start and finish at the same point to complete the circuit.
Best time to walk
- Early morning (around 4–5 am) or late afternoon avoids the heat.
- Full moon (Purnima), especially Guru Purnima / Mudiya Purnima, and Govardhan Puja after Diwali bring huge crowds — some pilgrims walk through the night.
- October to March is the most comfortable season; summer afternoons are very hot.
Getting to Govardhan
Govardhan is 22–27 km from both Mathura and Vrindavan — see Govardhan to Vrindavan distance. A taxi drops you at Daan Ghati before dawn and picks you up when you finish; with a local package the driver waits while you walk. To add Barsana and Nandgaon afterwards, see the Govardhan–Barsana–Nandgaon tour.
Practical tips
- Carry water and a small amount of cash; stalls are frequent but busy on festival days.
- Wear light cotton; carry a cloth bag for footwear if you go barefoot part of the way.
- Agree a pickup point and time with your driver before you start — mobile networks can be congested on mela days.
- If walking the full 21 km is too much, cover one half on foot and the other by e-rickshaw.
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Frequently asked questions
About 21 km, traditionally counted as 7 kos.
Most pilgrims start and finish at Daan Ghati in Govardhan town; some start at Jatipura or Radha Kund.
About 5 to 8 hours on foot, longer barefoot or with many stops; 1.5 to 3 hours by e-rickshaw.
No — private cars are not allowed on the parikrama marg. You can walk or use an e-rickshaw.
Early morning or late afternoon, between October and March. Purnima and Govardhan Puja are the most auspicious and the most crowded.