On the day of Govardhan Puja, Lord Krishna is worshiped in the form of Govardhan Mountain. Govardhan Mountain has been said to be the form of Giriraj ji and both bear each other’s name. There is an ancient folk belief that Govardhan was a devotee of Shri Krishna in his previous birth and had come from Golok Dham. At some places, his story is also connected to Ram Katha.
Govardhan’s strings connect with Ramkatha
It is mentioned in a folk tale that Govardhan Parvat was a devotee of God since the beginning of Tretayuga. He was engrossed in uninterrupted penance for God in a mountain range in the Himalayas and was waiting to be of use to God some day.
Then the Lord incarnated in the form of Shri Ram to end the atrocities of Ravana. Then a time came when a bridge had to be built to cross the ocean. Then many monkeys including Hanumanji who could fly were bringing big pieces of stones.
Hanuman ji had brought Govardhan mountain to Mathura.
In the same sequence, Hanuman ji started bringing Govardhan mountain from the Himalayan mountain range, then Govardhan mountain told him that Hanuman, do not take me from here, I am engrossed in the penance of God and am waiting for him to come to give me darshan. Then Hanuman ji said- Your penance has been successful, I am taking you only for the darshan of God. Saying this he told the whole story of building a bridge on the ocean. Govardhan Parvat became very happy and started asking to be taken to the sea shore quickly.
Hanuman ji gave assurance of meeting God
Hanuman ji was still on his way to the sky carrying Govardhan mountain when the work of building a bridge over the ocean was completed. Then a voice came from the sky that a bridge has been built over the ocean, so do not bring any more stones. Considering this as God’s wish, Hanuman ji started leaving Govardhan mountain on the border of Mathura. Then Govardhan told him that you were taking me to the ocean shore to meet the Lord, but Sagar has not come yet, then Hanuman ji told that the bridge has been built and there is no need of stones. Hearing this, Govardhan Parvat became very sad.
Shri Ram had given a boon
Then seeing his disappointment, Hanuman ji said – Don’t worry, your devotion is pure. You have come this far for the Lord and now the Lord himself will come to you. It is said that when Hanumanji told this to Shri Ram, he had given a boon to Govardhan Mountain in his mind that in my next incarnation, I would be known by the name of Govardhan Mountain. Govardhan will become a playground for my childlike self. Will be a participant in my leela. I will go to his place every day to meet him.
Shri Ram kept this boon of his in the incarnation of Shri Krishna and is still known by the name of Giriraj of Govardhan Mountain. Due to this boon, Shri Krishna is worshiped in the form of Govardhan.
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