Govardhan Puja 2025

All About the Govardhan Puja Festival

Govardhan Puja is one of the most propitious festivals for Hindus, celebrating the child form of Lord Krishna. It is popularly known as Annakoot, which translates to "a mountain of food." During this festival, devotees show their reverence to Govardhan Parvat (Govardhan Hill) by offering fifty-six varieties of vegetarian food, expressing their gratitude to Lord Krishna for his blessings.

How to Perform Govardhan Puja

The festival holds significant religious importance. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to perform the puja with devotion:

1. Morning Rituals: Wake up early and take a bath to prepare for the rituals.

2. Prepare the Worship Space: Clean your place of worship and light diyas and incense sticks.

3. Create the Idol: In an open space within your home (preferably in the southeast direction), draw the idol of Govardhan using cow dung.

4. Offerings: Offer haldi (turmeric), kumkum (vermilion), and akshat (rice) to the idol.

5. Prayers: Offer flowers and pray with joined hands before the idol.

6. Prepare Chappan Bhog: Cook delectable dishes using satvik recipes, preparing fifty-six dishes known as Chappan bhog.

7. Offer Bhog: Present the bhog as prasad to the idol.

8. Devotional Songs: Sing devotional songs dedicated to Lord Krishna.

9. Chanting Mantra: Chant the following mantra to appease the deity:

“|| श्रीगिर्रिराजधरणप्रभुतेरीशरण ||”

10. Parikrama: Perform the parikrama (circumambulation) of the idol.

11. Aarti: Conclude the puja by performing aarti and distributing the prasad to devotees.

Significance of Govardhan Puja

This festival is celebrated with great zeal, emphasizing the bond between God and his devotees. It is a day to honor devotion and faith, reminding us that God protects his followers through life's challenges. The story behind this day teaches us to respect the power of nature and be grateful for its blessings.

On this day, Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhan hill to protect his devotees from nature's wrath. This act teaches us that devotion (Bhakti) is the path to connect with the divine. It reinforces the belief that God safeguards his devotees against all odds.

Rituals Associated with Govardhan Puja

Several rituals are performed to seek Lord Krishna's blessings:

• Annakoot: This festival is also known as Annakoot, meaning a mountain of food. Devotees prepare fifty-six dishes, which are offered to Lord Krishna as prasad.
• Bathing Idols: In places like Mathura and Nathdwara, idols of Lord Krishna are given milk baths, dressed in new clothes, and adorned with jewelry. Precious stones, such as diamonds and rubies, are offered by devotees to please the deity.
• Food Offerings: On this day, food and sweets are ceremoniously arranged on thalis, creating mountains of food to offer as Bhog to Lord Krishna.
• Regional Celebrations: In southern India and certain regions of Maharashtra, this day is celebrated as Bali Padva or Bali Pratiba, marking Lord Vishnu's appearance in his Vaman avatar.

Astrological Significance of Govardhan Puja

Govardhan Puja falls during the five-day Diwali celebrations. This festival, observed on the first day of the lunar calendar during the bright phase of the Moon (Krishna Paksha), is celebrated in the Karthik month, following Diwali. It is a time for devotees to pay their respects to nature and its abundant blessings.

Legend of Govardhan Puja

According to Hindu mythology, the inhabitants of Gokul celebrated a festival in honor of Lord Indra at the end of each monsoon. However, one year, Lord Krishna persuaded the villagers to stop worshipping Indra and instead honor the Govardhan hill, which provided their resources. Indra, angered by this change, unleashed heavy rains upon the village. To protect the villagers and their cattle, Krishna lifted the Govardhan hill with his little finger, providing them shelter for six days. Indra soon realized his mistake and sought forgiveness from Krishna.

This day celebrates the unwavering faith of devotees in Lord Krishna, who guides and supports them through life's challenges, bestowing strength, happiness, and blessings.

To know about the Govardhan Puja dates and time in more detail, connect with Astroyogi astrologers right away!