The footprints of Shri Krishn are inscribed on the Charan hill (Nandishwar Hill) of Shri Nandgaon. At the time of cow herding, Shri Krishn climbed atop this Nandishwar mountain and played His flute to gather lakhs of cows. The rocks of this mountain were melted by the compassionate and sweet voice of the flute and the imprints of Krishn's Lotus Feet were marked here. Lord Shiva was pleased to see this and said to Shri Krishn "O Lord, I am blessed, Your footprints will remain like this till eternity."
The context of the footprints here has come twice in Shrimad Bhagwat, the first context is on the arrival of Akrur Ji, and the second is on the arrival of Uddhav Ji.
When the supreme devotee Akrur was coming from Mathura to Nandgaon to take Krishn and Balram on the orders of Kansa, then on reaching Nandgaon, the footprints of Krishn were visible on the top of the hill, in the sand and everywhere. He started crying and rolled in the dust of these Lotus Feet after getting overwhelmed with ecstasy. Even today, the devotees get overwhelmed by seeing the footprints of Shri Krishn.
Iti Sanchintayan Krishnam Shvafalkatanayoऽdhvani.
Rathen Gokulam Praptah Suryashwastagiri Nrip.
- Shrimad Bhagwat (10.38.24)
"Thinking of Shri Krishn on the way, Akrur ji reached Gokul by a chariot in the evening."
The word Gokul is used for the whole of Braj, but here it refers to Nandgaon. Somewhere Vrindavan, somewhere Braj, or somewhere the whole of Braj is referred to as Gokul.
Padani Tasyakhil Lokpal Kiritajushtamalapadrenoh.
Dadarsh Goshthe Kshitikautukani Vilakshitanyanjayavankushadyaih.
- Shrimad Bhagwat (10.38.25)
"After reaching Nandgaon, Akrur Ji saw the footprints. Akrur Ji saw the footprints of Shri Krishn which had the symbols of lotus, millet, etc."
After this, the second context is on the association of Gopis with Uddhav Ji.
Punah Punah Smarayanti Nandagopasutam Bat.
Shri Niketaistatpadakairvismartum Naiv Shaknumah.
- Shrimad Bhagwat (10.47.50)
Gopis say – “Uddhav Ji! This land of Braj marked with the footprints of Shri Krishn reveals his sweet glimpses in front of us. How can we forget Him seeing these signs?"
The same thing is clear in both these contexts that whether it is Akrur Ji, Uddhav Ji, residents of Braj or Gopis, they all see the entire land of Braj marked with Shri Krishn's Lotus Feet because those Feet are nourishing them. Srimad Bhagwat (10.35.6) explains this but the signs that they all saw, cannot be seen with these physical eyes.
Location :
In the west of Nandgaon, Charanpahari is situated at a distance of 1.5 km from Shri Nandababa Temple.