Mukharvind Temple Govardhan– Darshan Timings, History, Significance, Location, Govardhan Parikrama & More

Introduction:

Mukharvind Temple at Govardhan is one of the holiest places of Braj Dham, intimately connected with the Divine pastimes of Lord Krishna. Being known as the "face of Giriraj Maharaj," this site is where the devotees pay their very first homage before embarking on the sacred Govardhan Parikrama. Spiritually so very high in weightage, this temple stands in the memory of the spot where Lord Krishna raised the Govardhan Hill to shelter the village of Braj from heavy rain. A Holy experience at Mukharvind is the one to be treasured forever in the lives of devotees. Planning to set foot in this holy place at Govardhan? Then you will find well-organized tour packages with complete travel assistance at Vrindavan Mathura Tourism to ensure a smooth and divine journey to Giriraj Mukharvind and beyond.

History and Mythological Significance of Mukharvind Temple.

1. Mukharvind Temple stands at the very center of the spiritual and pilgrimage endeavors of the Govardhan area and has found a deep theological connection with the famous Govardhan Leela from the Bhagavata Purana. According to the mythological chronicles, Lord Krishna had asked the people of Braj to worship Giriraj Maharaj (Govardhan Hill) and not indulge in conventional rituals offered to Lord Indra. Enraged at this, Indra showered heavy rains on Vrindavan and Govardhan. To shelter the villagers and cows, Lord Krishna held up the entire Govardhan Hill on his little finger for seven days as a canopy.

1. Mukharvind, or "face of the mountain," is regarded as the holiest spot of Govardhan Hill where offerings of prayers, tulsi leaves, and milk are made to the mountain. It is at this place that thousands begin their parikrama, after seeking blessings for spiritual upliftment and purification.

1. At Vrindavan Mathura Tourism, we have packages especially curated that allow you to absorb the divinity in comfort and devoutness. From guided parikrama to care-free travel and accommodation, our packages ensure that your visit to Mukharvind Temple becomes memorable forever.

Rituals and Worship at Mukharvind Temple

1. The Mukharvind Temple in Govardhan is not merely a religious significance, but also a scene of daily obsession worship and rituals. It is from here that devotees start their Govardhan Parikrama by praying their prayers at Mukharvind - at the face of the Giriraj Maharaj, which is regarded as the most potent portion of the hill.

1. The daily rituals of worship at the temple begins with Mangala Aarti first thing early in the morning, then the devotee offers flowers, water, tulsi, chappan bhog (57 food items), and any puja samagri that they may have brought, such as milk, curd, honey, ghee, sweets that will be used to bathe the deity/make offerings as a form of worship.

1. There are major poojas that happen on Purnima (full moon), Ekadashi, and Gaurdhan puja, during which/thickness thousands congregate to perform rituals, parikrama, bhajans, and blessings.

1. You can experience all of these rituals yourself with the help of Vrindavan Mathura Tourism. You can design your own trip with our customized packages, which can include everything from puja arrangements, to organised parikrama, to temple visits, to special witness experiences, so you can have a calm and spiritual journey.

Mukharvind Temple, Govardhan Location & Distance from Nearby Destinations

📍Location Link for Google Maps: Shri Mukharvind, Jatipura – Click to View Location

1. Distance Between Mathura to Mukharvind Temple - 22 km | Time Approx: 40–45 minutes
2. Distance Between Vrindavan to Mukharvind Temple - 25 km | Time Approx: 45–50 minutes
3. Distance Between Barsana to Mukharvind Temple - 14 km | Time Approx: 30–35 minutes
4. Distance Between Nandgaon to Mukharvind Temple - 16 km | Time Approx: 35–40 minutes
5. Distance Between Govardhan (Main Market) to Mukharvind Temple - 2.5 km | Time Approx: 5–10 minutes

Govardhan Parikrama and Mukharvind Temple

Govardhan Parikrama is one of the most sacred pilgrimages in Braj and also the Mukharvind Temple in Jatipura is the centerpiece here. Mukharvind literally means the "face of Giriraj Govardhan", and it is regarded as the most spiritually charged point of the hill, making it the official starting point and end point of the parikrama.

Why Mukharvind is the Start & End Point:

According to Braj tradition, the devotees commence the parikrama by first paying reverent prayers to Mukharvind, thereby seeking Giriraj Maharaj's blessings. And they again end the parikrama to Mukharvind by paying the final darshan and creating offerings as a mark of completion of the pilgrimage. It is said in the tradition that even if one takes a single step all the way around the hill, and does so with devotion, the merit of parikrama is captured in that step alone.

Govardhan Parikrama At a Glance:

1. Total Distance: Approx. 21 km (full parikrama)
2. Starting/Ending Point: Mukharvind Temple, Jatipura
3. Time to be completed: 5 to 7 hours (on foot) or 2 to 3 hours (by e-rickshaw)
4. Common Rituals: Offer Tulsi leaves, do a milk abhishek, place prasad, chant bhajans

Read the Complete Guide to Govardhan Parikrama:

For a step-by-step route, historical background, rituals, timings, and photography tips, read our in-depth blog:

👉 Govardhan Parikrama – Complete Guide

Nearby Places to Visit near Mukharvind Temple

Mukharvind temple is not just a spiritual site on its own—it also has a variety of other spiritual and scenic destinations in the immediate vicinity to add to your time in Govardhan. When visiting Mukharvind make sure to also see these surrounding places:

1. Daan Ghati Temple

1. Daan Ghati is located only a few km from Mukharvind and is one of the most notable temples in Govardhan; it is
2. the very same site of the courageous pastime of Lord Krishna collecting daan (the dipping of offerings) from the
3. Gopis. The Daan Ghati temple is energetic, well-kept and hundreds of thousands of people come to visit daily.

2. Kusum Sarovar

1. Kusum Sarovar is a beautiful and peaceful reservoir is nestled a mere 4–5 km from Mukharvind; it is a historical
2. reservoir encircled with chhatris (cenotaph). Locally it is said that Radha used to collect flowers (kusum) in this
3. very spot for Krishna. This site is a definite must-see for those seeking beauty, peace and a spiritual ambience.

3. Radha Kund & Shyam Kund

1. Kund are two sacred ponds just 2.5 km from Mukharvind and these ponds represent one of the holiest places in
2. Braj. Pilgrims come to take a dip in the waters for spiritual purifying and for blessings of divine love. The atmosphere at the ponds especially during early morning hours is blissfully soulful.

4. Mansi Ganga

1. Located just a few minutes from Mukharvind, Mansi Ganga is a sacred kund considered to be manifested from Krishna's mind (manas). Pilgrims often start their Govardhan Parikrama here. The boating and evening aarti at the ghat is a peaceful experience worth enjoying.

FAQ's

Q1. Why is Mukharvind important in Govardhan?

Mukharvind is believed to be the sacred "face" of Giriraj Govardhan and is the most auspicious place to start and finish the Govardhan Parikrama. Devotees believe that just saying prayers at Mukharvind will accumulate a very good spiritual benefit.

Q2. When should I visit Mukharvind Temple?

The best time to visit Mukharvind temple is early Morning (6 AM - 8 AM) or the Evening Aarti (around 6:30 PM – 7 PM) happens. Additionally, the chillier months from October to March are preferable for parikrama and visits to the temple.

Q3. Can I do full Govardhan Parikrama in one day?

Yes, if one chooses to do a full parikrama starting from Mukharvind and ending at Mukharvind, then the complete parikrama (about 21 kms) can be done on foot within about 5-7 hours on Foot or by E-rickshaw in about 2-3 hours. Most pilgrims are up to doing the complete Govardhan parikrama in a single day.

Q4. Are there accommodations available near the temple?

There are many guesthouses, dharamshalas, and hotels near Mukharvind and in Govardhan town. Vrindavan Mathura Tourism can help you to book clean and comfortable accommodations according to your budget.

Q5. How far is Mukharvind from Mathura Railway Station?

Mukharvind Temple is approximately 22 km from Mathura Junction Railway Station, and it takes about 40–45 minutes to reach by road.

Conclusion

Mukharvind Temple in Govardhan is not merely a sacred site, it is the heartbeat of the Govardhan Parikrama Yatra, surrounded by holy landmarks like Kusum Sarovar, Radha Kund and Daan Ghati Temple which make for a rewarding pilgrimage experience.

Whether you are going for the first time or have already been there to receive the blessing of Giriraj Maharaj, you can make your journey enjoyable by getting in contact with Vrindavan Mathura Tourism, who can make arrangements on your behalf and set up things for your visit to Govardhan for Mukharvind.

They offer many services, including, but not limited to: VIP darshan arrangements at the temple, guided tour of the various sites with tours throughout, pickup and drop off services to Govardhan, and 24x7 communication relaying service if you happen to have any more questions about anything, or you wish for some gainful thoughts to fulfill your path to God.

👉 Ready to visit and explore Govardhan and Mukharvind Temple?

Book your Braj Yatra Tour with Vrindavan Mathura Tourism!

📞 For Tour Booking, Vip Darshan & Inquiries: +91 7078723132 | +91 9557104160

📲 WhatsApp Us: +91 7078723132 | +91 9557104160

🌐 Visit Our Website: Vrindavan Mathura Tourism

🔗 Explore All Our Tour Packages

🔗 Read Our Blogs for Travel Inspiration

See All Google Reviews → Click Here