Sankari Khor
Sankari means narrow and khor means lane. Here Brahma hill and Vishnu hill come so close that two people can barely pass, and Braj says Krishna chose exactly this spot to stop the gopis of Barsana and ask for his tax.
The dan leela
The sakhis came through the pass carrying pots of curd and butter to sell. Krishna and his friends blocked the lane and announced themselves the toll collectors of Braj: no one passes without paying dan, a share of the curd. The sakhis argued, Krishna argued back, the pots broke, and nobody ever paid. The argument is the leela.
The peak on the west of the pass is Dan Garh, named for this, with the temple of Dan Bihari, Krishna as the collector, on top. Vilas Garh rises on the east.
Leelas played here
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Ekadashi, three days after Radha Ashtami | Budhi Leela: the great argument of the dan leela, sung and enacted at Sankari Khor |
| Trayodashi, two days later | Matki Leela: the curd pots are broken, as Krishna broke them |
| Every day | Pilgrims on the parikrama stop here, and kirtan groups sing the dan leela padas |
Leela days as given by Maan Mandir Seva Sansthan.
Visiting
- It is an open lane on the parikrama path, north of Chiksauli village, so there are no opening hours. Come early, before the heat.
- The stone is worn smooth and the lane is steep in places. Sandals with grip; in the monsoon, take care.
- On leela days it fills with people. Come an hour early and find a place on the rocks above.
Next on the walk
Sankari Khor
What is Sankari Khor in Barsana?
The narrow pass between Brahma hill and Vishnu hill where Krishna stopped Radha's sakhis and demanded curd as tax, the dan leela. Sankari means narrow, khor means lane.
Where is Sankari Khor?
On the Barsana parikrama, north of Chiksauli village, between Dan Garh on the west and Vilas Garh on the east.
When is the Budhi Leela at Sankari Khor?
On Ekadashi, three days after Radha Ashtami. The Matki Leela, when the curd pots are broken, follows on Trayodashi.
What are Sankari Khor timings?
It is an open lane, so there are no fixed hours. Early morning is the best time.
What is the Dan Bihari temple?
The temple on top of Dan Garh, beside Sankari Khor, where Krishna is worshipped as the toll collector of the dan leela.
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