Govardhan | |
---|---|
town | |
Location in Uttar Pradesh, India | |
Coordinates: 27°30′N 77°28′E / 27.5°N 77.47°ECoordinates: 27°30′N 77°28′E / 27.5°N 77.47°E | |
Country | India |
State | Uttar Pradesh |
District | Mathura |
Elevation | 179 m (587 ft) |
Population (2011) | |
• Total | 22,576 |
Languages | |
• Official | Hindi |
Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
PIN | 281502 |
Govardhan or Goverdhan is a key pilgrimage centre in India and a municipal town; a nagar panchayat ; seat of a MLA Member of Legislative Assembly of Uttar Pradesh; a Tehsil, in Mathura district in the India in state of Uttar Pradesh. About 23 kilometres from Mathura, the town is on the road link between Mathura and Deeg.
Govardhan is located at 27°30′N 77°28′E / 27.5°N 77.47°E. It has an average elevation of 179 metres (587 feet). Goverdhan has been made Tahseel in Mathura District by the Uttar Pradesh government.
As of 2011[update] India census, Govardhan had a population of 22,576. Males constitute 55% of the population and females 45%. Govardhan has an average literacy rate of 62%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 70%, and female literacy is 52%. In Govardhan, 17% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Each year Hindus and other people make a pilgrimage to Govardhan, and its sacred Govardhan Hill, from other places in India and other places in the world to offer their obeisance to Krishna and Radha, key figures in Indian epics. One of these, celebrated at the Govardhan Puja, is of the lifting of Govardhan Hill (Giriraj Parvat) to protect the villagers from the flood caused by the Lord of thunder and rain, Indra. One of the most important day in Goverdhan is Guru Poornima (also called "Mudia Poono"). Following the festival of lights, or Diwali, the previous day, devotees come to Govardhan for parikrama.