📌 QUICK ANSWER
Shri Govardhan Maharaj Ki Aarti is the aarti of Giriraj Maharaj, the Govardhan hill that Krishna lifted to shelter Braj, worshipped as a form of Krishna himself. It is sung at the temples of Govardhan and by pilgrims on the sacred seven-kos (about 21 km) parikrama of the hill. The full lyrics are given below in both Hindi (Devanagari) and English. To do the Govardhan parikrama and this aarti, call or WhatsApp +91 7302265809.
Shri Govardhan Maharaj Ki Aarti is the beloved aarti of Giriraj Maharaj, the sacred Govardhan hill that Krishna lifted on his little finger to shelter Braj. In Braj, Govardhan is worshipped not as a mere hill but as a form of Krishna himself, Giriraj, the king of mountains and this aarti is sung to him each day and by the pilgrims who circle him in the great parikrama. Here, from one born in Braj, are the full lyrics of the Giriraj Maharaj aarti in Hindi and English, with its meaning and where it is sung. Plan your visit with our Mathura Vrindavan tour packages.
Key takeaways
Shri Govardhan Maharaj Ki Aarti is the beloved aarti of Giriraj Maharaj, the Govardhan hill.
Govardhan is the hill Krishna lifted on his finger to shelter Braj from Indra's storm.
In Braj, Govardhan is worshipped as a form of Krishna himself, Giriraj, the king of mountains.
The aarti is sung at Govardhan's temples and by pilgrims on the great parikrama.
The parikrama of Govardhan is about seven kos (some 21 km), resting at Chakleshwar.
The full lyrics are given below in both Hindi and English.
I am Gurudutt, born in Gokul in the Mathura district, guiding pilgrims through Braj since 2018, more than 50,000 of them and I have walked the Govardhan parikrama and sung this aarti to Giriraj many times. To the people of Braj, Govardhan is Krishna himself in the form of a hill. Here are the aarti's full lyrics, in Hindi and English, with a little of its meaning and where to hear it sung.
About the aarti: Giriraj is Govardhan, the hill Krishna lifted
This aarti is addressed to Giriraj Maharaj, 'Giriraj' meaning the king of mountains, which is Govardhan hill. When the people of Braj, at Krishna's word, worshipped Govardhan instead of Indra, the king of the gods sent a storm to punish them and Krishna lifted the whole hill on the little finger of his hand, holding it as an umbrella for seven days to shelter all of Braj. Ever since, Govardhan has been worshipped as a form of Krishna himself and this aarti sings his glory: the crown upon his brow, the offerings of leaves, flowers and milk poured upon him, his jewelled adornments and his sacred seven-kos parikrama that rests at Chakleshwar. To sing it is to bow to the hill that is Krishna and to take his shelter.
Giriraj Maharaj Aarti: Hindi Lyrics
The full lyrics of the aarti in Hindi (Devanagari):
श्री गोवर्धन महाराज, ओ महाराज, तेरे माथे मुकुट विराज रहेओ ॥
तोपे पान चढ़े, तोपे फूल चढ़े, तोपे चढ़े दूध की धार । तेरे माथे मुकुट विराज रहेओ ॥
तेरे गले में कंठा साज रहेओ, ठोड़ी पे हीरा लाल । तेरे माथे मुकुट विराज रहेओ ॥
तेरे कानन कुंडल चमक रहेओ, तेरी झांकी बनी विशाल । तेरे माथे मुकुट विराज रहेओ ॥
तेरी सात कोस की परिकम्मा, चकलेश्वर है विश्राम । तेरे माथे मुकुट विराज रहेओ ॥
गिरिराज धरण प्रभु तेरी शरण, करो भक्त का बेड़ा पार । तेरे माथे मुकुट विराज रहेओ ॥ |
Giriraj Maharaj Aarti: English Lyrics
The full lyrics of the aarti in English transliteration:
Shri Govardhan Maharaj, O Maharaj, Tere Mathe Mukut Viraja Raheo ॥
Tope Paan Chadhe, Tope Phool Chadhe, Tope Chadhe Dudh Ki Dhara । Tere Mathe Mukut Viraja Raheo ॥
Tere Gale Mein Kantha Saj Raheo, Thodi Pe Hira Lala । Tere Mathe Mukut Viraja Raheo ॥
Tere Kanan Kundal Chamak Raheo, Teri Jhanki Bani Vishala । Tere Mathe Mukut Viraja Raheo ॥
Teri Sata Kos Ki Parikamma, Chakleshwar Hai Vishrama । Tere Mathe Mukut Viraja Raheo ॥
Giriraj Dharan Prabhu Teri Sharana, Karo Bhakt Ka Bera Para । Tere Mathe Mukut Viraja Raheo ॥ |
The meaning of the aarti
The aarti adorns and praises Giriraj Maharaj as a living form of Krishna. It sings of the crown that shines upon his brow; the offerings poured upon him, the leaves and flowers and the stream of milk (dugdh-abhishek); the necklace at his throat and the jewel at his chin; the earrings glinting at his ears and his vast, beautiful darshan (jhanki); his sacred seven-kos parikrama that finds its rest at Chakleshwar; and, at the last, it takes refuge in him, 'O Lord who lifted the mountain, in your shelter, carry your devotee across the ocean of the world'. To sing it is to place yourself, like all of Braj, beneath the sheltering hill of Krishna.
Where and when the aarti is sung
This aarti is sung each day at the temples of Govardhan, above all at the Danghati and Mukharvind temples where Giriraj is worshipped and by the countless pilgrims who walk the sacred Govardhan parikrama, the seven-kos (about 21 km) circling of the hill, resting at Chakleshwar. It rings out most gloriously at Govardhan Puja, the Annakut after Diwali, when the hill is worshipped with a mountain of food. To sing the Giriraj aarti while circling the holy hill or before Giriraj at his temple, is one of the most powerful acts of devotion in all of Braj. We can arrange your pooja and seva at Govardhan.
Tips for singing and hearing the aarti
Learn the refrain first, 'Shri Govardhan Maharaj, O Maharaj, Tere Mathe Mukut Viraja Raheo', which returns after each verse.
Sing it on the Govardhan parikrama or before Giriraj at his temple, for its truest setting.
Come for Govardhan Puja (Annakut) after Diwali, the greatest day for Giriraj.
Follow along in Hindi or English; both are given above.
Offer, as the aarti sings, leaves, flowers or milk to Giriraj with devotion.
Sing with feeling rather than perfection; taking his shelter is what matters.
The honest bit
Honest words from one born in Braj. This is a traditional devotional aarti, sung freely by all in worship and there are small variations in the words from place to place and singer to singer, so do not worry if a temple's version differs a little from the text here; the devotion is the same. The lyrics above follow a widely-sung form. Remember, too, that in Braj, Govardhan is not a hill to be climbed but the Lord himself to be worshipped, so pilgrims do not climb Govardhan out of reverence, but circle it in the parikrama. The aarti is meant to be sung before Giriraj, with the lamps and the offerings, so if you can, come and sing it at Govardhan itself.
Why Experience My India is the right choice
I was born in Gokul in the Mathura district and I take pilgrims on the Govardhan parikrama and to Giriraj's temples for his aarti and darshan. Guiding since 2018, more than 50,000 pilgrims, 4.5 stars on Google, WhatsApp first, 8 AM to 9 PM daily. We plan your parikrama at the right pace, bring you to Giriraj at the right hour for the aarti, tell you the story of the lifting of the hill on the very ground, arrange your seva and offerings and see you cared for on the long circling, with no touts. One clear fare and never a charge for free darshan.
Tip from Gurudutt: sing this aarti not from a page but on the parikrama path itself, as you circle the holy hill. With each step around Giriraj, let the refrain rise, 'Shri Govardhan Maharaj, O Maharaj' and feel that you walk not around a mountain but around Krishna, who lifted this very hill to shelter your ancestors. Sung on the seven-kos path, with the hill beside you and the shelter of the Lord above you, the Giriraj aarti becomes a living prayer of refuge.
Explore Our Tour Packages
Related guides
Explore more Braj guides
Plan your Govardhan visit
Tell me your dates and I will plan your Govardhan parikrama and the darshan of Giriraj, with a car for the drive, a guide born on this soil, help on the long circling and your seva arranged, for one clear price. Our Mathura Vrindavan tour packages from Delhi and the NCR take in Govardhan beautifully. WhatsApp +91 7302265809, any day 8 AM to 9 PM. Packages from ₹1,999 per person, 4.5 stars on Google. Born in Gokul, Mathura.
Book Your Mathura - Vrindavan Trip Today 📞 +91-7302265809 💬 WhatsApp: +91-7302265809 Packages start from ₹1,999/ person | Rated 4.5★ / 204+ Reviews Explore all: Mathura Vrindavan Tour Packages Jai Shri Krishna 🙏 |
Gurudutt — Born & Raised in Braj Bhoomi
Guiding pilgrims through Mathura & Vrindavan since 2018 · 50,000+ pilgrims served
