Govardhan Puja (Annakut)

Govardhan Puja is celebrated a day after Diwali, that is the fourth day of the 5-day grand Hindu festival. Occasionally there can be a day gap between Diwali celebrations and Govardhan Puja. According to the Hindu calendar it falls on the first lunar day called as 'Ekam' of the Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight of moon) in the month of Kartik. It forms an integral part of Diwali celebrations. Govardhan Puja commemorates the victory of Lord Krishna over Indra.

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Diwali calendar 2023

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Govardhan Puja is called by different names in different parts of the country. In some places it is known as 'Bali Pratipada', 'Annakut Puja', 'Padwa' or even 'Gujarati New Year'. Govardhan Puja is celebrated with great enthusiasm and zeal in the Indian states of Haryana, Punjab, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. In the state of Haryana particularly, there is a ritual of making cow dung hillocks that is symbolic of Mount Govardhan. People then decorate these hillocks with flowers and worship them.

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In Maharashtra is it observed as 'Padwa' and there is a tradition of gifting presents to wives by men. In the state of Haryana and Gujarat, it marks the start of New Year or Vikram Samvat. In some parts of India, the day after Diwali is also observed as ‘Vishwakarma Day’. This day is dedicated to worshipping the tools and is marked as a holiday officially.

Govardhan Puja 2023 is on November 14 Tuesday

5 months and 2 days to go for the event

Govardhan Puja Pratahkal Muhurat : November 14, 6:43 am - November 14, 8:54 am
Govardhan Puja Sayankal Muhurat : November 14, 3:27 pm - November 14, 5:38 pm

Rituals of Govardhan Puja:

On the day of Govardhan Puja, people make hillocks from cow dung, which represents Mount Govardhan. These hillocks are then beautifully adorned with flowers and worshipped with kumkum and Akshatra. Devotees then perform ‘Parikrama’ (a ritual of taking rounds) around the hillocks.

They pray devotedly to Lord Govardhan and ask Him to protect them from hardships of life. On this day people also give bath to their bulls and cow and decorate them with garlands and saffron. They then worship the cows and bulls as they were considered dear to Lord Krishna.

The preparation of 'Annakoot' is an integral part of the Govardhan Puja. The word 'Annakoot' means ‘mountain of food’. Therefore on the auspicious day of Govardhan Puja, devotees 108 or even 56 varied preparations of food to offer as ‘Bhog’ to Lord Krishna. The idols of Lord Krishna are bathed in milk and adorned with beautiful and dazzling clothes and jewelry. They are then worshipped by traditional means, including Bhog and aarti. The ‘Annakoot’ Prasad is then distributed amongst family members and friends.

In some states of India, the day just after Diwali is observed as ‘Kartik Shudha Padwa’. This day celebrates the return of King Bali and is also called as ‘Bali Padyami’.

In Maharashtra and some western states, Govardhan Puja is celebrated as ‘Gudi Padwa’. On this wife garlands their husband, apply ‘Tilak’ on their forehead and perform an aarti for their long and prosperous life. As a token of appreciation, the husbands then shower their wives with expensive gifts as a token of love. Hence the festival of Gudi Padwa cherishes the bond of selfless love and devotion between husband and wife.

 

Important Timings On Govardhan Puja 2023

Govardhan Puja is observed with immense fervour all over India. This festival celebrates the victory of good over evil.

According to the Hindu scriptures, on this day Lord Krishna lifted Mount Govardhan on his little finger to save the people of Vrindavan from the wrath of Lord Indra, the God of Rain. From then onwards people began worshipping Mount Govardhan with devotion and Lord Krishna was also given the name of ‘Govardhandhari’ or ‘Girirdhari’.

The celebrations of Govardhan Puja are very notable in Nathdwara, Mathura and Vrindavan. The deities in all the temples are dressed up in shining attires and dazzling ornaments made from pearl, rubies, diamonds and other precious stones.

Special prayers and bhajan ceremonies are organized in these temples and people flock to these places in large numbers. The festivities can be witnessed in all the Lord Krishna temples spread across the country. On this day the Prasad is distributed to everyone.