Sri Govardhana Nesa Perumal Temple, Mathura

Sthala Purāṇam

Thiru Vadamathura, the Sri Govardhana Nesa Perumal temple at Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, stands beside Krishna Janmabhoomi and is one of the seven mukti-giving cities (alongside Ayodhya, Dwaraka, Maya/Haridwar, Kanchipuram, Avanti/Ujjain and Kasi). The sthala puranam links the place to the slaying of the asura Mathu, from whom the town takes its name, and pre-eminently to Sri Krishna: about two miles away lies the prison where Vasudeva and Devaki were held by Kamsa and where Krishna was born, and where he later slew Kamsa and the elephant Kuvalayapida; eight miles off is Govardhana hill, lifted by Krishna to shelter the cowherds from Indra's torrential rains - the event from which the Lord and the Govardhana Vimanam take their name. The Moolavar, Govardhana Nesan (Balakrishna), stands facing east and is said to have granted darshan to Indra, the devas, Brahma, Vasudeva and Devaki; his consort is Sathyabama Nachiyar. Tradition holds the original deity was installed by Krishna's great-grandson Vajranabha. Tirthams include the Indra, Govardhana and Yamuna theerthams, and Brindavanam and Govardhanam are counted within the sthalam. In the Nalayira Divya Prabandham this is among the most widely sung northern abodes, receiving mangalasasanam from Periyalvar, Andal, Thondaradippodi Alvar, Thirumangai Alvar and Nammalvar; it is celebrated grandly at Krishna Janmashtami.

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