Devotees tie 21-km-long Rakhi around Govardhan hillock

A 21-km-long Rakhi, made of 1.25 lakh strings, was today tied around the sacred Govardhan hillock by devotees on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan.
The event of tying the rakhi around Govardhan, also called Giriraj, was organised by Sri Giriraj Bhakta Mandal, a religious organisation.
"Normally girls tie rakhi on the wrist of their brothers on Raksha Bandhan. However, our association decided to tie the rakhi to Sri Giriraj Maharaj for getting his blessings," said Rasik Sharma, the president of the association.
Many girls also offered rakhis to deities at different temples here, Sharma said.
Hundreds of pilgrims witnessed the event as over three dozen youths went around the hillock to tie the rakhi.

"A special rakhi was also tied to principal deity of Daan Ghati temple amidst chanting of hymns by the temple's priest," Sharma said.