Govardhan Puja

What Is Govardhan Puja?

Govardhan Puja is an important Hindu festival predominantly observed in India, taking place on the day after Diwali. This observance is dedicated to Lord Krishna and commemorates his legendary act of lifting the Govardhan Hill. The festival symbolises the importance of devotion, the protection of the innocent, and respect for nature and its resources.

This annual event serves as a reminder of the cultural narratives that underpin many Hindu traditions. It is often celebrated concurrently with Annakut, an offering of a large variety of food to Krishna, or Balipratipada, which marks the victory of Lord Vishnu over the demon king Bali. The festival thus encompasses themes of community, gratitude, and divine intervention.

History and Origins of Govardhan Puja

The origins of Govardhan Puja are rooted in ancient Hindu Puranic texts, particularly the Bhagavata Purana. The central narrative revolves around Lord Krishna, in his youth, convincing the villagers of Vrindavan to worship the Govardhan Hill instead of Lord Indra, the god of rain and thunderstorms. The villagers, traditionally farmers, had been offering sacrifices to Indra for good harvests and protection from natural calamities.

Krishna argued that the Govardhan Hill, which provided sustenance for their cattle and protection from the elements, was more deserving of their devotion. He asserted that the hill and the cows were manifestations of the nurturing aspects of nature. When the villagers followed Krishna’s advice, Lord Indra became enraged by this perceived slight. In his fury, Indra unleashed a deluge of rain and thunderstorms upon Vrindavan, threatening to destroy the entire village.

To protect his devotees, Krishna, who was still a young boy, miraculously lifted the entire Govardhan Hill on the little finger of his left hand. He held it aloft for seven days, providing shelter to all the villagers and their livestock beneath it, safeguarding them from Indra’s wrath. Realising Krishna’s true identity as a manifestation of Vishnu, Indra eventually relented and withdrew the storm. This event established the significance of Govardhan Hill and reinforced the concept of devotion towards a higher power that protects and sustains.

How Govardhan Puja Is Celebrated

Govardhan Puja is celebrated with distinct traditions that vary slightly across different regions of India, though the core essence remains consistent. The primary focus of the observance is the veneration of Govardhan Hill and Lord Krishna.

North India

In many parts of North India, particularly in states like Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab, the celebration involves creating miniature replicas of Govardhan Hill. These are typically fashioned from cow dung, which is considered sacred in Hindu culture. The cow dung hills are then decorated with flowers, lamps, and other ornaments. Devotees circumambulate these miniature hills as an act of reverence, mimicking the circumambulation of the actual Govardhan Hill. Offerings of food, sweets, and milk are made to the sculpted hill and to images of Lord Krishna.

Western India (Gujarat and Rajasthan)

In Gujarat, Govardhan Puja is often celebrated with great fervour and is closely associated with Annakut, meaning ‘mountain of food’. Temples, especially those dedicated to Vaishnava traditions like the Dwarkadhish Temple and the Shrinathji Temple, prepare an elaborate spread of vegetarian dishes, sometimes numbering 56 (Chhappan Bhog) or 108. This vast array of food is offered to Lord Krishna, symbolising the bounty of nature and the abundance provided by the deity. These offerings are later distributed as ‘prasada’ (blessed food) to the devotees. In Gujarat, the day following Govardhan Puja is often celebrated as the Gujarati New Year, known as Bestu Varas, further enhancing the festive atmosphere.

General Observances

Across India, a significant aspect of Govardhan Puja is Gau Puja, the worship of cows. Cows are decorated with garlands, applied with vermilion (tilak), and offered special food, such as grass or sweets. This practice acknowledges the cow’s economic and cultural significance in agrarian societies and its association with Lord Krishna, who was a cowherd. Families also prepare a variety of traditional dishes, which are offered to the deities before being consumed by the family members. Singing of devotional songs (bhajans and kirtans) and storytelling about Krishna’s life are common activities during the day.

When Is Govardhan Puja?

Govardhan Puja is observed annually on the Pratipada (first day) of the Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) in the Hindu month of Kartik. This places it directly on the day after Diwali, which falls on the Amavasya (new moon day) of Kartik.

Because the Hindu calendar is a lunisolar calendar, the date of Govardhan Puja varies each year when mapped to the Gregorian calendar. It typically falls during the months of October or November. The observance follows the Vikram Samvat calendar system, which is widely used in northern and western India. While the specific Gregorian date changes, its position relative to Diwali remains constant, making it a predictable part of the broader Diwali festival period.

Govardhan Puja Key Facts