Govardhan Parvat Parikrama on Guru Purnima (2014)

• • Mathura, Uttar Pradesh • Tags:
Govardhan Parvat Parikrama on Guru Purnima (2014)

Though 21 Kms Govardhan Parvat Parikrama is held each month between Ekadashi and Purnima, i.e., a total of 5 days, there are two special occasions when thousands and thousands of devotees visit Govardhan for Parikrama.

One is Guru Purnima and another is four days before Deepawali, i.e., Dev Uthani Ekadashi till Pratipada Dooj, i.e., a total of 7 days. It is said during these days (during Deepawali), Lord Krishna, at the age of 7 years, lifted Govardhan Parvat on his left-hand little finger for 7 days and 7 nights to provide shelter to villagers from rain.

This year, Guru Purnima was on the 12th of July. Lakhs of devotees visited, and I was one of them. I started Govardhan Parvat Parikrama on the 11th of July night at 8:45 pm from Mansi Ganga and completed Parikrama at 4 morning hours.

Yes, it is tiring, especially when one is completing parikrama barefooted, though parikrama marg is well made with lights.

Water arrangement is there for devotees by devotees. At the Rajasthan boundary during Parikrama, I saw a banner stating cold water and Bhandara from Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station coolies and many such banners from other devotees. Ambulance and medical facilities were also available on the way. In totality, it was a new journey, and I am lucky I arrived and completed it.

The amazing knowledge was to know about a few devotees/sadhus offering 108 Dandavat Pranam (obeisance) at one spot and continuing till they complete parikrama in week/s.

Govardhan Parikrama’s knowledge was enhanced by Ram Krishan, a friend and Sanatan Dharm student.

Thank you – said I.

Re: Accommodation at Govardhan during Guru Purnima Parikrama

It was a short notice from Ram Krishna about the upcoming Govardhan Parvat Parikrama during Guru Purnima, but having accommodation, especially at Govardhan, was not possible. I tried to talk with a few Dharamshala as well as guest houses, but sorry – all booked. Devotees book accommodation in advance. Thanks to a friend who tried his best to arrange accommodation so that I can complete Parikrama on Guru Purnima day.

Shri Vishnu Dutt Sharma – Panda Laddu Gopal is having two Dharamshalas at Govardhan. Upon request, he agreed to provide a room having a double bed with a toilet at one of his Dharamshalas. It was near Mansi Ganga – The starting and ending point of Parikrama.

It was only accommodation and no food. Dinner we had at an ashram – Thanks to Ram Krishna. Guru Purnima was on 12th July. We reached Govardhan on the 11th of July during the evening hours. I paid Rs. 1,000/- for two for one night of stay. The room was having a double bed with a toilet, fan, and an air cooler, as the weather was too hot and no rain.

In short, accommodation at Govardhan, especially during Guru Purnima and Deepawali days, is difficult. If you wish to do parikrama during Guru Parikrama or during Deepawali days, try to book accommodation in advance.

Nandli Village (Mandi) to Mohali – Distance & Journey Time

• • Himachal Pradesh, Mandi, Mohali, Punjab

I started the Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark motorbike at 7:30 am from Sri Prashar homestay, Nandli village (Kataula)  – approx. 20 km from Mandi town.

At 9:45 am, I stopped the motorbike for brunch at a highway Dhaba and again at 10:10 am started the motorbike to continue the journey and reached Mohali at 2:00 in the afternoon hours.

The total journey time from Nandli village (Mandi) to Mohali is approx. 6 hours and 30 minutes.

Nandli village (Kataula), Mandi to Mohali is approx. 211 km

Mandi town to Mohali is approx. 191 km

When are the Festivals at Prashar Lake?

• • Himachal Pradesh, Mandi • Tags: ,
When are the Festivals at Prashar Lake?

Prashar Lake I visited if I remember correctly, five years ago. Which month I do not remember, but it was festival time and heavy rains. I ran to watch the holy lake and then to reach the temple to offer prayers, and back to Mandi Town (48 km approx.) via hired vehicle. Since then, the wish was to visit again, and if possible, during festivals at Prashar Lake.

An accommodation search was done. Homestay preferred at Nandli village – approx 18 km from Mandi Town, situated at Mandi – Prashar Road. Prashar Lake is a further 30 km.

Yes, I was riding solo via the Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark motorbike. I started the journey from Shri Naina Devi Temple, Bilaspur reached Nandli Village in 6 hours total journey time covering 158 km.

The next day, I restarted the journey by Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark motorbike from Nandli Village with Manoj – caretaker of the Homestay at 4:30 am reached Prashar Lake at 6:15 am – 30 km approx. 2 hours journey because of the last 20 km not so good road condition though after crossing Nandli village road construction work was going on.

It was festival time, thus devotees in large numbers were going towards Prashar Lake via hire, or own jeep, or walking.

Upon the query about the Prashar Lake fair and festivals, days knowledge was enhanced by Rajkumar Thakur, the owner of a tea stall near Prashar Lake. There are three festivals celebrated each year at Prashar Lake:

1. Three days festival starts one day before Sankranti day during Ashada (June month) till one day after Sankranti

2. Two days festival – Rishi Panchami in the month of August or September as per the Hindu calendar

3. Two days festival – Kashi Mela during Baisakh (April month) during the harvesting of the wheat crop

During festival time, devotees carry the Shuka Dev deity from Thatta Village to Prashar Lake. Various villagers also carry deities and the Rath (Chariot) Yatra (journey) from their individual villages. Lots of tents and makeshift shops are made by devotees. One may stay at the temple Dharamshala, or place one’s own individual tent, or may book a forest rest house in advance.

In short, the festival is the best time to visit if you want to watch and learn about the tradition and culture.

I thank God I had an opportunity to revisit Prashar Lake again during festival time.

I wish to visit again to visit nearby temples – one is nearby and the other is inside the jungle.

How to reach Prashar Lake from Mandi Town if You Do Not Have Your Own Vehicle?

• • Himachal Pradesh, Mandi • Tags: ,

Yes, I was riding solo via Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark motorbike. I started the journey from Shri Naina Devi Temple, Bilaspur reached Nandli Village in 6 hours total journey time covering 158 km.

An accommodation search was done. Homestay preferred at Nandli Village – approx 18 km from Mandi Town, situated at Mandi – Prashar road. Prashar Lake is a further 30 km from Nandli Village.

What if one does not having own vehicle to reach Prashar Lake from Mandi town?

Upon the query, Deepak (0-9805371061 / 7807471061), the owner of Sri Prashar Home Stay (Nandli Village) said – Do not worry. Bus service is available nowadays from Mandi town bus depot for Prashar Lake early in the morning between 7:00 – 8:00 am. It might be a 2:30 – 3 hours journey. This bus same day returns in the afternoon hours. If the only bus is missed, then another bus for Kandalu Village and then 10-12 km of trekking Or, a bus for Bagi Village and then you have to hire a jeep from Bagi Village (even from Kandalu Village) for Prashar Lake.

Jeep hiring charges may be Rs. 2000 from Mandi Town to Prashar Lake to and fro Or, you may reach Kandalu Village by bus and then hire a jeep.

Thank you, Deepak, for enhancing my knowledge – said I.

The next day, I restarted the journey by Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark motorbike from Nandli Village with Manoj – caretaker of the Homestay at 4:30 am reached Prashar Lake at 6:15 am – 30 km approx. 2 hours journey because of the last 20 km not so good road condition though after crossing Nandli village road construction work was going on.

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