Mudiya Purnima
Mudiya Purnima is a special festival celebrated every year in Govardhan, a sacred place near Mathura. This festival is linked to Guru Purnima and marks the disappearance day of the great saint Sanatan Goswami. The word “Mudiya” comes from the tradition of Vaishnavas shaving their heads in mourning after Sanatan Goswami’s passing.
Since Sanatan Goswami revived the holy practice of Govardhan Parikrama — walking around the sacred Govardhan Hill — this parikrama has become the main way to honor him during the festival. Every year, a five-day fair called Mudiya Puno Mela is held. It starts on Ashadha Navami and ends on Guru Purnima. During this time, around 1 crore (10 million) people gather to perform the parikrama of Govardhan Parvat, a journey of about 21 kilometers.
The whole area becomes vibrant with devotion, singing, and spiritual energy as people walk, chant, and remember the life and teachings of Sanatan Goswami.
How Mudiya Purnima Began
Sanatan Goswami was not always a saint. In his early life, he served as a minister in the royal court of Hussain Shah, the ruler of Bengal. Back then, he was known as Sakar Malik and was forced to wear Islamic robes.
Everything changed when he met Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, a great spiritual leader and devotee of Lord Krishna. Inspired by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Sanatan Goswami left his powerful position and moved to Vrindavan. There, he dedicated his life to serving Lord Krishna and guiding others on the spiritual path.
Sanatan Goswami wrote many important religious texts and played a huge role in bringing back the tradition of the Govardhan Parikrama. His deep devotion and teachings left a lasting impact on the Vaishnava community.
In 1558, on the day of Ashadha Purnima (now celebrated as Guru Purnima), Sanatan Goswami left his physical body and attained mahasamadhi. His disciples were heartbroken when they heard the news. As a sign of mourning and respect, they shaved their heads — a ritual known as mundan. Those who shaved their heads were called Mudiya, and from this practice, the festival got its name: Mudiya Purnima.
After the shaving ritual, the devotees carried Sanatan Goswami’s body in a grand procession around Govardhan Hill. They sang devotional songs (kirtans) and performed the parikrama to honor their beloved teacher.
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