Govardhan Puja is celebrated right after the festival of light – Diwali. Mostly celebrated in the northern parts of India, Govardhan Puja is celebrated with fervour and great joy. Lord Krishna is worshipped on this day and stories of how he saved the people of Vrindavan from the wrath of Lord Indra are told.
The festival is also known as Annakut Puja or the Annakut Utsav. Chhappan bhog or the 56 delicacies are offered to Lord Krishna and his idols are decorated with new clothes, ornaments and flowers.
Govardhan Puja 2019: Date
Govardhan Puja or the Annakut Puja is celebrated on Pratipada or the first day of the Shukla Paksha of Kartik month in the Hindu calendar. The festival is celebrated on the next day of Diwali and thus, will be celebrated on 28 October this year.
Govardhan Puja: Why Is it Celebrated?
According to legend, the people of Vrindavan used to worship Lord Indra, the Hindu God of rain and offer him food to protect their land. Lord Krishna asked them to not do so. This resulted in Indra getting furious and unleashing endless, disastrous rain on the village. The villagers then approached Krishna to save their lives. It is believed that Krishna lifted the entire Govardhan mountain on his little finger and provided shelter to all the villagers and their animals.
Since Krishna held Govardhan for a period of seven days without eating or drinking anything, the women of Vrindavan later prepared 56 dishes (chhappan bhog) to feed him and show their gratitude.
Govardhan Puja: How Is it Celebrated?
Devotees of Lord Krishna celebrate this day with utmost joy. Some people celebrate this day by making the sculpture of the Govardhan mountain and Vrindavan along with the villagers using cow dung, and worshipping the same.
56 delicacies are also prepared on Govardhan Puja which are offered to the lord as bhog. Gujaratis celebrate Govardhan Puja as the beginning of the new year.
Govardhan Puja: Muhurat
Govardhan Puja Sayankala Muhurat – 3:37 pm to 5:58 pm
(Duration - 02 hours 21 minutes)
Pratipada Tithi Begins – 9:08 am on 28 October
Pratipada Tithi Ends – 6:13 am on 29 October
(Source: Drik Panchang)
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