The sanctity of Braj is also associated with its legendary descent from Golok. It is stated that when lord Vishnu, residing in Golok, planned to descend on earth as ‘Krishna’, he ordered a part of Golok (268 sq km), Yamuna and Govardhan to descend on earth as well. This part is the area described as Braj. It is believed that this is a most sacred land and is not governed by the natural laws of destruction and creation. The scriptures have recorded that the land was so sacred that the gods would descend to walk on it and to cover themselves with its celestial dust, Braj Raj.
In Hindu Epics and mythology there are vivid descriptions of Braja, which was covered with thick lush green forest, full of trees laden with fruits and flowers, vegetables and pasturing grass. The Braja forest was as sanctified as the clear mind of a devotee and was full of hovering bees, birds and bountiful nature. There are chirping birds and clear water lakes with waters that could relieve one of all fatigues. Sweet flavored breeze blew always, refreshing the mind and body.The lotus is a recurring motif in Krishna imagery with Braj often represented as a twelve petal lotus. Lotus filled water bodies in a grove are the idyllic setting for Krishna and Radha’s romantic interludes.
Braj comprises of over forty eight sacred groves mentioned in the mythology and folklore built around Lord Krishna’s life and times. Each garden-grove has a Krishna related narrative attached to it. The narrative is a mythical rationale for the significance of the location and makes the abstract structure more concrete and alive and the experience more ethereal.Just before the prominent turn to Vrindavan town from the National Highway, crammed with hoardings, there is a small rather unnoticed turn into the village Chhatikara, leading to this 27 acre grove known as “Shadang Van” which inhabits the famous temple of Krishna popularly known as Shri Garud Govind Temple. This is an ancient temple site and the presiding deity of the temple is a rare marvel where Krishna is in the form of lord Vishnu, with twelve arms, and is riding on the back of Shri Garuda ji. That’s the reason why Thakurji is famous by the name of "Shri Garud Govind". Mother Lakshmi is seated on Lord’s left hand side.
Krishna performed various pastimes at this place, which lies near Chatikara. One day while grazing the cows, when garudji came to have darshan of shri krishna then at that time, Shri Krishna climbed upon garudji's back and assured him that he was indeed the Supreme Lord. Garud Govind is the place where Garudji had darshan of Shri Govind, the maintainer of the cows and cowherd boys. This Temple was constructed almost 5000 years ago and the Deity was installed by lord Krishna’s great-grandson King Vajranabha under the guidance of Lord Krishna’s family priest Shri Garghacharya ji. The Temple is one of the oldest and spiritually strongest temples of lord Krishna, and is world famous for "Kaal Sarp Yog Anushthan".
A mere glimpse of the most merciful Lord Shri Govind ji on the back of Garuda is truly astonishing and spell bounding, and is considered to be very auspicious and removes all the ill effects of Kaal Sarp Dosha and brings harmony, peace and bliss. Lord Garud Govind is capable of fulfilling all the desires of his devotees like a 'Kalpa-Taru' and he is a family god of all the brajwasis. Braja Mandala Parikrama is considered incomplete without the darshan of Shri Garud Govind ji . Devotees use to draw swastikas with cow dung or vermilion on the rear wall of Shri Garud Temple to get their wishes fulfilled.Saints, poets and scriptures have repeatedly glorified the sanctity of this beautiful deity. The various scriptures that deals with the glory of lord Shri Garud Govind ji are:- Garuda Purana, Garga Samhita, Bhaktamal, etc.
A special festival day in this temple is Akshaya Tritiya. This festival takes place in the month of Vaishaka (April-May). On this day the 12-handed Deity of Govinda is seen mounted on his bird carrier, Garuda.
There is a good chance that if you ask the pujari’s over there, they may raise the dress of the Deity and show you the form of Krishna with twelve hands riding on the back of Garuda. Outside the temple, to the left is a beautiful idol of Garuda. This is a well-known temple in the Vrindavana area.
“Garuda appears to belong to the Kinnara planet. The inhabitants of the Kinnara planet have the same features as Garuda. Their bodily features are like those of a human being, but they have wings. These inhabitants of Kinnaraloka are very expert in singing the glories of the Lord. As they fly their wings vibrate the hymns of the Vedas.” (Srimad Bhagavatam 4.30.6 purport).
