By the Vrajraj team, Govardhan · Last verified
Punchhari ka Lautha is the shrine of Lautha Baba at the southern tip of Govardhan Hill. Devotees describe this end of the hill as the poonchh, the tail, of Giriraj ji, which is how the village of Punchhari gets its name. Every pilgrim on the 21 km Govardhan Parikrama passes this way, and most stop for darshan.
The story of Lautha Baba
In Braj tradition, Lautha was a dear childhood friend of Krishna. A popular telling says that when Krishna left Braj, Lautha vowed to wait at this spot, fasting, until his friend returned. In Braj belief he waits here still, keeping watch over the hill.
Because of this, pilgrims believe that Lautha Baba keeps a record of every devotee who completes the parikrama. Stopping at Punchhari to "mark your attendance" (haaziri lagana) is a cherished custom, and you will often hear pilgrims calling out their names and greetings at the shrine.
Where it is
Punchhari sits at the far southern end of Govardhan Hill, about 3 km south of Jatipura and its Mukharvind. The Uttar Pradesh–Rajasthan border runs through this stretch, so part of the parikrama here passes through the Deeg district of Rajasthan. Nearby is the Nrisimha temple at Punchhari, and a little further north are Govind Kund and the village of Aanyor.
In December 2024, the Rajasthan government laid the foundation stone of a development project for Poonchhri ka Lautha and its section of the Govardhan Parikrama, so expect improvements to paths and facilities around the shrine.
Visiting Punchhari ka Lautha
- On the parikrama: if you start at Daan Ghati and walk clockwise, you reach Punchhari after Aanyor and Govind Kund, then continue to Jatipura.
- As a short visit: it is 5–10 minutes by car from Vrajraj, so it is easy to visit at a quiet hour, early morning or evening.
- Crowds: very busy on Purnima, at Govardhan Puja and during the Mudiya Purnima mela; peaceful on most weekday mornings.
Staying near Punchhari
Vrajraj Farms & Retreat is about 2 km from Punchhari ka Lautha, among open fields on the quiet southern side of Govardhan. It makes a calm base for pilgrims who want to start the parikrama early, families visiting Giriraj ji, and anyone who prefers the countryside to the crowds of the town.
Continue with our full Govardhan Parikrama guide.
