Govardhan Puja, also known as Annakut (meaning “mountain of food”), is a significant Hindu festival celebrated the day after Diwali. The festival commemorates the legend of Lord Krishna lifting the Govardhan Hill to protect the villagers of Vrindavan from the wrath of Lord Indra, the god of rain and storms.
This act symbolises Krishna’s role as a protector and his teaching that people should worship nature and be grateful for its bounty rather than appeasing the gods out of fear. On this day, devotees offer a variety of food to Krishna as a form of thanksgiving and celebrate with prayers, rituals, and feasts.
Govardhan Puja Dates in India for 2024, 2025, and 2026
Here are the dates for Govardhan Puja in India for the upcoming years:
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 02/11/2024 | Saturday |
| 2025 | 22/10/2025 | Wednesday |
| 2026 | 11/11/2026 | Wednesday |
The Significance of Govardhan Puja in India
Govardhan Puja holds deep spiritual and cultural significance for Hindus. The festival celebrates Lord Krishna’s triumph over the pride of Lord Indra and his protection of the people of Vrindavan. According to Hindu mythology, when Lord Indra sent torrential rains to punish the villagers for neglecting his worship, Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhan Hill with his little finger and provided shelter to the villagers and their cattle. This event is seen as a reminder of Krishna’s divine protection and his teachings on the importance of humility, faith, and reverence for nature.
Govardhan Puja is also a celebration of nature’s abundance. The festival involves offering large quantities of food to Krishna in a symbolic gesture of gratitude for the harvest and the sustenance provided by the earth.
How Govardhan Puja is Celebrated in India
Govardhan Puja is celebrated with prayers, the preparation of special food offerings, and rituals that honour Lord Krishna and the power of nature. The day is filled with devotion and joy as families and communities come together to celebrate the divine protection of Krishna.
- Annakut Offerings: One of the central rituals of Govardhan Puja is the preparation of Annakut, a mountain of food that is offered to Lord Krishna. Devotees prepare a variety of vegetarian dishes, including sweets, fruits, vegetables, grains, and dairy products. These offerings are arranged in the shape of a mountain, symbolising the Govardhan Hill, and are placed before an idol or image of Krishna. After the prayers, the food is distributed among family members, neighbours, and the poor as prasad (blessed food).
- Govardhan Puja Rituals: Devotees perform special pujas (prayers) to worship Lord Krishna and Govardhan Hill. In temples and homes, idols of Krishna are bathed, dressed, and adorned with flowers. Devotional songs and hymns are sung, and devotees perform circumambulation (parikrama) around the Govardhan Hill or its symbolic representation in their homes or temples.
- Circumambulation of Govardhan Hill: In the town of Vrindavan and nearby Govardhan, thousands of devotees perform a 23-kilometre circumambulation of the actual Govardhan Hill. This pilgrimage is considered highly auspicious, and devotees walk barefoot, singing bhajans (devotional songs) in praise of Krishna. The circumambulation is an act of devotion and surrender to Krishna’s protective grace.
- Worship of Cows: Cows are considered sacred in Hinduism, and during Govardhan Puja, they are worshipped as symbols of prosperity and nature’s nurturing power. Devotees clean and decorate cows with garlands and feed them special foods as part of the ritual, acknowledging their role in providing sustenance.
Govardhan Puja in Different Parts of India
Govardhan Puja is widely celebrated across India, particularly in the northern states, where Krishna’s influence is deeply rooted in religious practices and cultural traditions. Each region adds its own unique elements to the celebration.
- Vrindavan and Mathura (Uttar Pradesh): In Vrindavan and Mathura, the birthplace of Krishna, Govardhan Puja is celebrated with great fervour. Thousands of devotees flock to these towns to perform the parikrama of Govardhan Hill. Temples in these towns are decorated elaborately, and the Annakut offering is a grand affair, with temples offering large quantities of food to the deity.
- Gujarat: In Gujarat, Govardhan Puja is celebrated as part of the Diwali festivities. Devotees prepare elaborate food offerings and perform rituals in honour of Krishna. Temples and homes are filled with the fragrance of sweets and flowers, and the day is marked by community feasts.
- Maharashtra: In Maharashtra, Govardhan Puja is also celebrated as Annakut. Devotees offer a variety of food items to Lord Krishna in temples and homes. The festival is celebrated with family gatherings, prayers, and the distribution of prasad to the poor.
- Punjab: In Punjab, Govardhan Puja is celebrated alongside the Sikh festival of Bandi Chhor Divas, which coincides with Diwali. Devotees offer food to Lord Krishna and perform rituals to seek his blessings for prosperity and protection.
Govardhan Puja – A Celebration of Nature’s Abundance and Divine Protection
Govardhan Puja is a beautiful festival that highlights the importance of nature and the divine protection provided by Lord Krishna. It is a day of gratitude, devotion, and celebration of the earth’s bounty. Through the preparation of food offerings, the performance of rituals, and acts of devotion, Hindus express their reverence for nature and seek the blessings of Krishna for protection and prosperity.
The festival also emphasises the importance of humility and faith in the face of challenges, as taught by Krishna’s lifting of the Govardhan Hill. Govardhan Puja serves as a reminder that divine grace and the power of nature are always present to protect and nurture us.
More Information about Govardhan Puja in India
- Is Govardhan Puja a public holiday in India? Govardhan Puja is observed as a restricted public holiday in many states across India, particularly in northern states like Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat. It is celebrated with prayers, rituals, and offerings to Lord Krishna.
- How is Govardhan Puja celebrated in India? Govardhan Puja is celebrated with the offering of Annakut (a mountain of food) to Lord Krishna, prayers, and rituals. Devotees also worship cows and perform circumambulation of the Govardhan Hill or its symbolic representation in temples.
- What is the significance of Annakut during Govardhan Puja in India? Annakut, meaning “mountain of food,” symbolises the abundance of nature and the protection provided by Lord Krishna. The food offerings are made to express gratitude for the harvest and are distributed as prasad to the poor and devotees.
- Where are the major Govardhan Puja celebrations held in India? The major celebrations of Govardhan Puja take place in Vrindavan and Mathura, where thousands of devotees perform the parikrama of Govardhan Hill. The festival is also widely celebrated in Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Punjab.