Govardhan Hill holds a special place in Hindu mythology due to its association with Lord Krishna. According to the Bhagavata Purana, when the villagers of Vrindavan planned a grand offering to appease Lord Indra, Krishna intervened. He persuaded them to worship the Govardhan Hill instead, symbolizing respect for nature. Angered, Indra sent a fierce storm to punish the villagers, but Krishna lifted the entire Govardhan Hill on his little finger, sheltering everyone beneath it for seven days. This divine act turned the hill into a sacred symbol of devotion and protection, and the parikrama became a significant ritual to honour this miracle.

The tradition of Govardhan Parikrama has continued for centuries. Saints like Vallabhacharya and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu undertook this journey as a form of intense devotion. Over time, temples, kunds (holy ponds), and rest stops were built along the route. Pilgrims chant, sing bhajans, and sometimes do Dandavat Parikrama (lying flat and getting up step-by-step) as a mark of extreme faith. Despite modern facilities allowing parikrama by vehicle, many still prefer walking barefoot, echoing centuries of tradition.