The day after Diwali is dedicated to Govardhan Puja, which is also called Annakut Puja. In order to protect the people of Vrindavan from Lord Indra’s wrath, which resulted in torrential rain and flooding, Lord Krishna raised the Govardhan hill, also known as Giri Govardhan, on this day in history. The Govardhan Puja honours the triumph of Lord Krishna over Lord Indra.
Govardhan Puja 2023: Date and Time
Govardhan Puja is often observed the day following Diwali. However, there can be a day’s break between Diwali and Govardhan Puja based on the Hindu calendar.
According to the Hindu calendar, Govardhan Puja is held on Pratipada Tithi of Shukla Paksha in the month of Kartika. Govardhan Puja falls on November 14 this year.
The Pratipada Tithi will take place on November 13 from 2:56 PM and conclude on November 14 at 2:36 PM. The morning Goverdhan Puja is most auspicious between 06:43 and 08:52.
The History of Goverdhan Puja
Legend has it that when Lord Krishna was a resident of Vrindavan, he counselled the people to worship the Govardhan hill and cows instead of the rain god, Lord Indra. Indra became angered by this and torrential rain fell over Vrindavan. Krishna gave the people seven days of refuge by raising Govardhan Hill on his little finger. This event is marked by Govardhan Puja, which is performed to ask Lord Krishna’s blessings.
Devotees begin their rituals early on the day of the Govardhan Puja by taking a bath before sunrise. Next, they give a Balgopal idol a panchamrita (a concoction of milk, curd, ghee, honey, and sugar) bath. After that, the idol is decorated with fresh clothes, jewels, and flowers.
Govardhan Puja: Samagri
Offerings to Lord Krishna include rice, fruits, sweets, lamps, flowers, sandalwood, incense, and vermillion. Made from cow dung, Govardhan hill is scaled down. In addition to singing Lord Krishna-focused bhajans and performing aartis, devotees adorn their homes with rangoli, diyas, and flowers. Additionally, devotees cook a buffet of 56 dishes called “chhappan bhog” and present them to Lord Krishna.
East India: Lord Krishna is offered sweets like chenapod and chhenagaja in Odisha. Devotees in West Bengal celebrate Kartik Puja and offer bhog to Tulsi plants.
South India: Govardhan Hill and Radha-Krishna idols made creatively from flowers, fruits, sweets and savoury delights are displayed in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
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