Why do we Celebrate Govardhan Puja Festival
Shri Krishna Govind Hare Murari
O Nath Narayan Vasudeva
As per the Govardhan Puja festival story, the Govardhan Puja Festival is celebrated on the first lunar day of Shukla Paksha in the Hindu calendar month of Karthik, which is also called Annakut. It is also said that this day is the first day of the year, as per Vikram Samvat’s Hindu Calendar.
This day is also considered to be Gujarati New Year. As per some legends on this day, Lord Krishna is worshipped to reciprocate gratitude.
Vaishnvas celebrate this on occasion when Lord Krishna lifted Govardhan Parvat (Mountain) to save all the villagers from the heavy torrential rains. This incident is mentioned in Bhagavata Puran.
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Govardhan Puja Festival History, Significance, Customs and Traditions
Bhagwat Puran has a reference to the start of Govardhan Pooja. A mythological story about Lord Krishna and Govardhan Parvat goes behind the celebrations.
This story has its reference to Bhagwat Puran. The Asper govardhan puja festival story goes with Lord Krishna and the villagers of Braj.
Lord Krishna was born in Braj. Govardhan Parvat was a low hill which was standing just in the middle of Braj. In and around this hill lived all forest-dwelling cowherds.
The main reason for their existence around the hill was that the mountain provided natural resources to all the villagers for their livelihood such as trees providing oxygen, the grass providing fodder for cattle, and natural beauty. The villagers of Braj however worshiped Indra.
Lord Indra is the God of Rain. Lord Krishna suggested that people should worship Govardhan Parvat as it provided a livelihood for everyone.
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Though Lord Krishna was young, everyone respected him for his immense knowledge and power. As per his advice, everyone started worshipping the mountain.
Lord Indra was angry to see his devotee being detracted. Indra decided to pour torrential rains to show his anger. Lord Krishna took Govardhan Parvat on a little finger.
All the villagers stood under the mountain to protect themselves from rain. These heavy rains and thunderstorms continued for almost a week. But after a week, Lord Indra accepted his defeat with Lord Krishna and his superiority.
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After his defeat, the torrential rains stopped. All the people offered food and various delicacies to the mountain as a token of gratitude.
This is called Giryajna or a great offering of food and delicacies to the mountain. Lord Krishna consumed all the food, considering himself to be the mountain.
Thus, the Govardhan became a major pilgrimage place. Devotees circulate the hill and offer food to the hill. This circumambulation is 11 miles long and has various shrines on the path.
The circumambulation and offering of food is considered being one of the oldest rituals in Braj.
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Pooja Rituals, Customs and Traditions for Govardhan Puja Festival
As per the Govardhan Puja festival story, the Govardhan Puja Festival is performed on the day of Annakut, which is the fourth day of the Deepawali festival. Govardhan Pooja is just the next day after Badi Diwali. Annakut is also known as the collection of food.
Lord Krishna is primarily worshipped on this day. The auspicious time considered for this Pooja is early morning and later afternoon. Pooja is one of the rituals in the daylong festivities.
As a part of Pooja, a replica of Govardhan Hill is prepared. The material used for making of replica of Govardhan is cow dung. It is decorated with grass and twigs indicating greenery. Oil lamps are lit all around the replica.
This replica of Govardhan Parvat is circumambulated. A rangoli is drawn with petals around the hill replica and at the main entrance. Colored sand is also used for making rangoli. Cattle such as cows and bulls are bathed.
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They are decorated and colored in various colors. A two or three-tier stand is placed in front of the deities/hill replica to place Chappan Bhog (56 varieties of vegetarian food). This Naivedyam is offered in the evening.
Sweets are placed at the topmost tier and other food dishes prepared from as dal, lentils are kept on the lower tiers.
Some people even follow a day-long fast and break the fast in the evening with the Prasad or sanctified food.
Over the period, the Govardhan Puja festival has changed. Swaminarayan temples and ISKON temples celebrate this festival with different variants. Each one has different variants to perform this Puja.
In Swaminarayan Mandirs, devotees sing kirtan which describes the food, and pray to the lord to accept the food. The food is kept for the whole day for the deities.
Later, the Prasad or sanctified food is consumed in the evening by the devotees as prasad. It is also said that these gatherings also bring a sense of community. In some places, food is offered in the thousands of numbers such as 250 kg of Laddu.
Not only Lord Krishna temple but almost all temples follow this ritual with different variants. Even at Mahalakshmi temple, 56 sweets and food items are offered.
Some craftsman gives tribute to tools on this day. It is called Vishwakarma Pooja.
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Unveiling Common Beliefs with Govardhan Puja Festival
This festival is primarily dedicated to Lord Krishna to show gratitude for saving the villagers from the wrath of Lord Indra. Govardhan Puja festival is performed to seek blessings and ask for forgiveness.
It is also believed that ill fate or bad luck is waded off. It is also said that performing this Pooja brings wealth, health, and a child.
People also believe that whatever the mountain gives us should be given back to it hence they prepare various food items as bhog.
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What is Offered on Govardhan Puja Festival
As per the Govardhan puja festival story, For this festival, Chappan Bhog or 56 food items are prepared. These items include everything from sweets, namkeens, and many other items.
Some of the sweets prepared are makhan mishri, laddus, jalebi, halwa, peda, malpua, kheer, rasgulla, rabri, badam milk, mohanthal, ghewar, moong dal ka halwa, barfi, etc.
The nankeens include pakode, mathri, chutney, tikkis, etc. The main food items include brinjal ki sabzi, khichadi, lauki ki sabzi, poori, etc. Some dry fruits are included such as cashews, almonds, pistachios, and elaichi.
All these foods are placed in a particular sequence. It is generally placed as sweets at the top followed by milk items followed by namkeen followed by main food items. Jaggery, Chana Daal, and Puri are offered to the cow.
Govardhan Puja Festival History, Significance, Customs and Traditions: FAQ
Govardhan puja 2024 date, time and muhurat
Saturday, November 2, 2024
1. Govardhan Puja Pratahkala Muhurat – 06:34 AM to 08:46 AM
Duration – 02 Hours 12 Mins
2. Govardhan Puja Sayankala Muhurat – 03:23 PM to 05:35 PM
Duration – 02 Hours 12 Mins
1. Pratipada Tithi Begins – 06:16 PM on Nov 01, 2024
2. Pratipada Tithi Ends – 08:21 PM on Nov 02, 2024
Govardhan puja 2024 muhurat
Saturday, November 2, 2024
1. Govardhan Puja Pratahkala Muhurat – 06:34 AM to 08:46 AM
Duration – 02 Hours 12 Mins
2. Govardhan Puja Sayankala Muhurat – 03:23 PM to 05:35 PM
Duration – 02 Hours 12 Mins
1. Pratipada Tithi Begins – 06:16 PM on Nov 01, 2024
2. Pratipada Tithi Ends – 08:21 PM on Nov 02, 2024
What is Govardhan puja festival
Annakut
Govardhan Puja Festival is celebrated on the first lunar day of Shukla Paksha in the Hindu calendar month of Karthik, which is also called Annakut. Govardhan Puja Festival is performed on the day of Annakut, which is the fourth day of Deepawali festival. Govardhan Pooja is just the next day after Badi Diwali. Annakut is also known as the collection of food.
How to celebrate Govardhan puja
1. As a part of Pooja, a replica of Govardhan hill is prepared. The material used for making of replica of Govardhan is cow dung. It is decorated with grass and twigs indicating greenery. Oil lamps are lit all around the replica.
2. This replica of Govardhan Parbat is circumambulated. A rangoli is drawn with petals around the hill replica and at the main entrance. Coloured sand is also used for making rangoli. Cattle such as cows and bulls are bathed.
3. They are decorated and colored in various colors. A two or three-tier stand is placed in front of the deities/hill replica to place Chappan Bhog (56 varieties of vegetarian food). This Naivedyam is offered in the evening.
4. Sweets are placed at the topmost tier and other food dishes prepared from dal, and lentils are kept on the lower tiers.
5. Some people even follow a day-long fast and break the fast in the evening with the Prasad or sanctified food.
6. Not only Lord Krishna temple but almost all temples follow this ritual with different variants. Even at Mahalakshmi temple, 56 sweets and food items are offered.
7. Some craftsman gives tribute to tools on this day. It is called Vishwakarma Pooja.
What is the time of Govardhan puja
Saturday, November 2, 2024
1. Govardhan Puja Pratahkala Muhurat – 06:34 AM to 08:46 AM
Duration – 02 Hours 12 Mins
2. Govardhan Puja Sayankala Muhurat – 03:23 PM to 05:35 PM
Duration – 02 Hours 12 Mins
1. Pratipada Tithi Begins – 06:16 PM on Nov 01, 2024
2. Pratipada Tithi Ends – 08:21 PM on Nov 02, 2024
What is the time of Govardhan puja in USA
Friday, November 1, 2024
1. Govardhan Puja Sayankala Muhurat – 03:47 PM to 05:52 PM
Duration – 02 Hours 05 Mins
1. Pratipada Tithi Begins – 08:46 AM on Nov 01, 2024
2. Pratipada Tithi Ends – 10:51 AM on Nov 02, 2024
What to do on Govardhan puja
1. As a part of Pooja, a replica of Govardhan hill is prepared. The material used for making of replica of Govardhan is cow dung. It is decorated with grass and twigs indicating greenery. Oil lamps are lit all around the replica.
1. As a part of Pooja, a replica of Govardhan hill is prepared. The material used for making of replica of Govardhan is cow dung. It is decorated with grass and twigs indicating greenery. Oil lamps are lit all around the replica.
2. This replica of Govardhan Parvat is circumambulated. A rangoli is drawn with petals around the hill replica and at the main entrance. Colored sand is also used for making rangoli. Cattle such as cows and bulls are bathed.
3. Decorate and color with various colors. A two or three-tier stand is placed in front of the deities/hill replica to place Chappan Bhog (56 varieties of vegetarian food). This Naivedyam is offered in the evening.
4. Place Sweets at the topmost tier and other food dishes prepared from dal, lentils are kept on the lower tiers.
5. Some people even follow a day-long fast and break the fast in the evening with the Prasad or sanctified food.
6. Not only Lord Krishna temple but almost all temples follow this ritual with different variants. Even at Mahalakshmi temple, 56 sweets and food items are offered.
7. Some craftsman gives tribute to tools on this day. It is called Vishwakarma Pooja.
Why do we celebrate Govardhan puja
1. Bhagwat Puran has a reference to the start of Govardhan Pooja. A mythological story about Lord Krishna and Govardhan Parvat goes behind the celebrations. This story has its reference to Bhagwat Puran. The Govardhan puja festival story goes with Lord Krishna and the villagers of Braj.
2. Lord Krishna breaks the ego of King Indra and protects the people of Nand Gaon from his anger by lifting the entire Govardhan parvat on his little finger. After his defeat, the torrential rains stopped. All the people offered food and various delicacies to the mountain as a token of gratitude.
How to do Govardhan puja
1. As a part of Pooja, a replica of Govardhan hill is prepared. The material used for making of replica of Govardhan is cow dung. It is decorated with grass and twigs indicating greenery. Oil lamps are lit all around the replica.
2. This replica of Govardhan Parvat is circumambulated. A rangoli is drawn with petals around the hill replica and at the main entrance. Colored sand is also used for making rangoli. Cattle such as cows and bulls are bathed.
3. Decorate and color with various colors. A two or three-tier stand is placed in front of the deities/hill replica to place Chappan Bhog (56 varieties of vegetarian food). This Naivedyam is offered in the evening.
4. Place Sweets at the topmost tier and other food dishes prepared from dal, lentils are kept on the lower tiers.
5. Some people even follow a day-long fast and break the fast in the evening with the Prasad or sanctified food.
How to do Govardhan puja at home
Govardhan Puja Vidhi 2024
1. Wake Up before sunrise and take a bath
2. Light diya and an incense stick in your temple
3. Make a replica of Govardhan by Gobar at home
4. Offer chhapan bhog prasad to Govardhan idol
5. Pray lord Krishna prayers and chant lord Krishna mantra
5. Do Govardhan aarti and distribute prasad to the needy and relatives.
What is Govardhan puja
Annakut
Govardhan Puja Festival is celebrated on the first lunar day of Shukla Paksha in the Hindu calendar month of Karthik, which is also called Annakut. Govardhan Puja Festival is performed on the day of Annakut, which is the fourth day of Deepawali festival. Govardhan Pooja is just the next day after Badi Diwali. Annakut is also known as the collection of food.
When is Govardhan puja
Saturday, November 2, 2024
1. Govardhan Puja Pratahkala Muhurat – 06:34 AM to 08:46 AM
Duration – 02 Hours 12 Mins
2. Govardhan Puja Sayankala Muhurat – 03:23 PM to 05:35 PM
Duration – 02 Hours 12 Mins
1. Pratipada Tithi Begins – 06:16 PM on Nov 01, 2024
2. Pratipada Tithi Ends – 08:21 PM on Nov 02, 2024
Govardhan puja 2025 date, time and muhurat
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
1. Govardhan Puja Pratahkala Muhurat – 06:26 AM to 08:42 AM
Duration – 02 Hours 16 Mins
2. Govardhan Puja Sayankala Muhurat – 03:29 PM to 05:44 PM
Duration – 02 Hours 16 Mins
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