Poonchari ka Lauta baba

Lotha, a cowherd boy, is waiting for His friends Krishna and Balarama to return from Mathura.

This temple in the village of Punchari is locally known as the Punchari-ka-lotha Baba Temple, due to being located at the tail-end (poonch) of Govardhana Hill. This small temple is dedicated to one of Krishna’s cowherd friends whose name was Lotha. The deity could be seen in a sitting position and was said to be waiting for his dear friend Krishna to return. One day, Lotha had cooked some nice food preparations for his dear friends Krishna and Balarama. All of a sudden, he saw them leaving for Mathura on Akrura’s chariot. He immediately asked Krishna and Balarama when They would be returning because he had cooked some nice food preparations especially for Them. Krishna informed Lotha that He would be returning the day after next. Lotha then told Krishna and Balarama that he would not eat or drink anything but sit down and wait at this spot until they returned. To this day, Lotha is sitting at the same spot, facing the road, waiting for his friends Krishna and Balarama to return. Vrajavasis pray to this deity to give them strength to perform the parikrama of Govardhan Hill. As devotees, we can aspire for Lotha Baba’s faith, determination, enthusiasm, and patience in our devotional service to Krishna.