Punchari Ka Lautha Katha: Bharatpur, Rajasthan, is also part of the Braj region, considered the place where Lord Krishna played. Located in Uttar Pradesh, the 21-kilometre-long Govardhan Parikrama route around the mountain, and the Poonchri Lautha site in Rajasthan, also fall within the area considered highly significant.
You may have heard the name Poonchri Lautha, but perhaps you don’t know that it was the name of Lord Krishna’s friend, who would take attendance of devotees performing the Govardhan Parikrama. Seeing him during this time is believed to fulfil all your wishes. So, today we’ll tell you about Poonchri Lautha.
According to beliefs, Poonchri Lautha was known as Shankar in the Satya Yuga, Hanuman in the Treta Yuga, and Madhu Mangal in the Dwapar Yuga. These were the branches of Lord Krishna’s childhood. However, when Lord Krishna concluded his pastimes and began his journey to Vaikuntha, he placed his friend Poonchri Lautha at the foot of Govardhan Mountain.
Lord Krishna told his friend Poonchri Ka Lautha that any devotee performing the Parikrama of Giriraj Ji would have to come to Poonchri Ka Lautha to mark their attendance. However, Poonchri Ka Lautha told Lord Krishna, “I will mark my attendance, but I will have to come to see you.” Therefore, Lord Krishna agreed.
When the gopis of Vrindavan and Barsana learned of this, they searched for Lord Krishna throughout the entire Braj region, but could not find him. Then they learned about Poonchri Ka Lautha and went to inquire about him. One friend said “Poonchri” to another, and the second friend said “Poonchri” to the third. In this way, they returned, and this place became known as Poonchri Ka Lautha.
What is the significance of Poonchri Ka Lautha?
Speaking of the significance of Poonchri Ka Lautha, it is considered one of the most significant sites on the circumambulation of Mount Govardhan. The Govardhan Parikrama is 21 kilometres long, with 19 kilometres in Uttar Pradesh and 1.5 kilometres in Rajasthan.
For your information, Lord Krishna’s friend Madhu Mangal, also known as Poonchri ka Lautha, was none other than Lord Hanuman himself. His temple, in the form of Lord Hanuman, still stands in the middle of the Govardhan Parikrama. Devotees who come to perform the Parikrama mark their attendance, and only after their attendance is the circumambulation considered complete.