Govardhan Puja is also known as Annakut Puja. It is celebrated on Pratipada Tithi of Kartik Shukla Paksha. In 2024 , Govardhan puja will be celebrated on 02 November, on the next day of Diwali. It is celebrated with full faith and devotion around the country.
Govardhan Puja in Devotion on Lord Krishna
Govardhan Puja is specially celebrated at the birthplace of Krishna or the places linked with him. This festival signifies the honor and devotion of Lord Krishna in Hindu culture. Representing various beliefs and cultures, this festival bestows us with affection and happiness.
Govardhan Pooja
The idol of Lord Govardhannathji is created with the cow’s dung and annakut is offered as prasad. This tradition is been followed since ages. The Holy Govardhan parvat has been given great importance in the Hindu mythology. According to Shrimad Bhagvat, Lord Krishna worshipped Govardhan parvat in Brij on the Pratipada Kartik Shukla Paksha, rather than worshipping Lord Indra. This is the reason that even today Govardhan parvat is worshipped on the next day of Diwali.
Lord Krishna destroyed Lord Indra’s ego and worshipped Govardhan parvat on this day. The tradition of Annakut is also performed in temples and religious places. Lord Govardhan’s idol is made with cow dung and worshipped in the evening of Kartik Shukla Paksha. Lord Agni, Varuna, and other devas are also worshipped along with Lord Govardhan. Cows are worshipped on this day with flowers, dhoop, sandalwood etc. Govardhan puja is an important festivals of people living in Brij.
Govardhan Puja – Worshipping The Nature
This festival is celebrated to thank the nature for the gift and offerings that help people to live a healthy and prosperous life. With the tradition of worshipping Govardhan parvat, Lord Krishna told people about the significance and need of securing the nature. People from all around the country visit Mathura to worship the mountain every year.
Significance of Worshipping Govardhan
There is a famous story regarding Govardhan Puja. Story is of the time when lord Krishna used to take cows for feeding with all the Gopis and Gwals. When lord reached the Govardhan mountain then Gopies prepared 56 types of food and started singing and dancing. On asking, lord came to know that it was done to worship lord Indra. God Indra shall to the welfare of village on getting pleased. Which will result in the growing of crops. Lord Krishna told them, their mountains were better as they gave food to their cows.
People of Brij followed the words of lord Krishna and started worshipping Govardhan mountain. God Indra became angry on seeing that the public was worshipping Govardhan mountain instead of worshipping him. So, he ordered clouds to fall rain on Gokul so that life gets destroyed.
Everyone got scared by seeing this. All of them approached lord Krishna, and lord said them to reach the shelter of Govardhan mountain. Lord Krishna raised the mountain on his little finger. Public of Brij ran and went under the Govardhan mountain. Not even a single drop fell of the people of Brij. Seeing this, Indra Dev realized his mistake and asked forgiveness from lord Krishna. After 7 days, lord Krishna kept down the mountain and asked the public of Brij to worship Govardhan and Annakut every year. Since then, Goverdhan festival is celebrated on this day.
Govardhan Pooja – Beginning Of Prosperity and Happiness
Worshipping Govardhan on this day brings wealth, prosperity and fortune. Govardhan mountain is created in the courtyard of the house. This day is celebrated as the cow day. It is believed, serving cows on this day gives favorable results.
In some areas, cow is made to have bath in the morning and decorated with saffron, rice, garlands etc. On the festival of Govardhan, cows and bulls are decorated and a small mountain of cow dung is created for worshipping. On the cow dung, Kheel, Batashe and toys made of sugar are offered.This festival is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm in Mathura and Vrindavan. Navedy of Chappan Bhog (56 food items) are offered to lord, in the evening.
Annakut Festival
Annakut festival is also related with Goverdhan festival. This day 56 kinds vegetables are mixed to prepare food which is called 56 Bhog. This day is celebrated as the thanks giving to the nature. It is believed that just by organising and visiting this festival, a person never faces the lack of food. He always has the grace of Annapurna. Annakut is the day of having collective food or in gathering. In this, whole family and society people prepare offerings for lord in a common kitchen and later take it in form of Prasad.