Sri Garuda Govinda
Sri Garuda Govinda is situated one kilometre north-east of Chatikara village. Here is a temple of Sri Garuda Govinda. At this place Sri Garuda was greatly amazed and all his doubts were removed. Lord Krishna had beautiful pastimes with Sridhama at this place.
How to get there: You can easily go to this place by auto from Vrindavan.
During the Rama-Avatara once Indrajit had bound up Sri Ramachandra with snake-nooses and Garuda had released Sri Rama from the bondage. Until then Garuda was still doubtful whether Sri Ramachandra was God or not. Finally, during the Sri Krishna-Avatara, Garuda came to see Sri Krishna and saw the whole of Vraja filled with Sri Krishna’s prowess (Vibhuti). Sri Garuda was greatly amazed and, understanding that it was all Krishna’s Maya, he surrendered to Him with a great cry and attained His grace by offering various praises. After that Sri Krishna consoled Garuda and climbed on his shoulders, saying: “From now on your name will be mentioned before My name and this deity will be named Sri Garuda Govinda by everyone!”
Another reason, once Sridhama accepted the form of Garuda and played with Krishna, who accepted His four-armed Narayana-form and climbed upon his shoulders. In this way the name Garuda Govinda became manifest.
Mentioned in Sri Bhakti Ratnakara: –
“Look at this Garuda Govinda, O Srinivasa! Here Krishna performed wonderful pastimes! Sridhama blissfully played Garuda and Govinda mounted his shoulders with a four-armed form. Garuda and Govinda looked very beautiful, therefore this place is named Garuda Govinda.”