LUCKNOW, July 21, 2013: Devotees from around the country have flocked to the holy town of Goverdhan to begin the annual 21-km circumambulation of the hill that Krishna, as a child, is believed to have lifted on his little finger to protect his faithful from the wrath of Lord Indra, the Hindu god of rain. Goverdhan Parbat, a narrow sandstone hill called Giriraj, is about eight kilometres long. 

The Mathura district administration, already on alert, has made elaborate security and traffic arrangements to ensure smooth flow of pilgrims and avoid hassles. Followers of Gaudiya Vaishnav community follow the tradition and celebrate Mudiya Poonau as Guru Poornima. The five-day fair will end on the full moon night of July 23. Nearly twenty lakh pilgrims walk along the parikrama marg every year. 

The administration has also decided to use the Yamuna Expressway, for three days, to divert heavy vehicles from Delhi, Haryana and Punjab to reach Agra. 

On Friday, district authorities deployed additional security forces on the parikrama marg and the holy pond in the centre of Goverdhan town. District authorities have also banned bathing in the holy kund on the parikrama trail. At the main centre, the Mansi Ganga, more than 500 sprinklers and showers will allow pilgrims to take a holy bath. The pleasant weather this year has been a major factor attracting a larger turnout, said Krishna Das, a priest at the main temple in Daan Ghati. 

In preparation of the large crowds, more than 20 private parking areas have been developed. The district authorities in Mathura said more than 3,000 personnel had been deployed and CCTV cameras are keeping a close vigil. Movement of all types of vehicles, including rikshaws, has been stopped in the parikrama area. With Mudiya Poonau fair, the festival season in the Braj Mandal starts with a bang to draw millions of devout till Janmashtami.

Source: The Times of India, DT. July 21, 2013.