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Punchari

Punchari (literally tail) is the southern tip of the Govardhan Hill, further reinforcing the metaphorical conception of the Hill as a peacock, bull or snake. As the pilgrims turn around the Hill in the course of their parikrama they visit a cluster of sacred sites including the twin kunds, Apsara and Naval, the temples Narsimha and Apsara-Bihari, Sutala Kund, Mani Kandali Cave, and Punchari Ka Lautha Temple. The sites are situated in the midst of partially denuded Apsara and Sutala Vans with a large clearing at the edge of Apsara and Naval Kunds. Punchari Village lies across the outer road.
Mani Kandali Cave, a love tryst of Radha and Krishna was inhabited by an ascetic Raghav Pandit and a Bhajan Kutir, named after him is built at its mouth. Above the cave on the Hill is an imprint of Lord Krishna’s crown. Punchari Ka Lautha Temple is dedicated to a cowherd friend of Krishna and Balram who is waiting for them to return from Mathura.
The site redesign aims at improving the water quality of the twin kunds, restoring their ghats, creating spaces for kirtan and raas lila. An old historic building in their proximity is proposed as an interpretive museum housing local art and crafts. Since the water quality of the kunds is poor, it is recommended that lotuses (symbol of Braj) be grown to decrease algae growth and filter dirty water. Lotuses can be sold for temple worship and their roots harvested for eating. Low steps are built at the edge of clearing, creating a performance space for raas lila.

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