You might have seen many people gathering in your society after Diwali and doing puja around the cow dung-made mountain. They were celebrating Govardhan Puja. It is an auspicious festival celebrated in the Hindu culture. 

Just after you are done with your firecracker and diya celebration, the next day is Govardhan Puja. In this, we pray to the Baal Roop (child form) of Lord Krishna. 

This puja is celebrated in many parts of North India:

• Mathura 
• Vrindavan
• Rajasthan 
• Gujarat

Annakut. Have you heard this name? Govardhan Puja is also known as Annakut or Annakoot. It means mountains of food. In this puja, devotees pray to the Govardhan Parvat, a hill. With lots of love, devotees prepare and offer chappan bhog (56 varieties of food), which includes vegetarian food and sweets as a mark of gratitude.   

Even in 2026, when we are so busy in our personal and professional lives, nothing can stop us from celebrating Govardhan Puja. You might have seen on Instagram reels how Vrindavan and Mathura celebrated this day. So much enthusiasm and enthusiasm. It is still celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion. This puja reminds us to respect the nature around us, be grateful for abundance and live with faith and balance.

Do you know what Govardhan Puja is?

 "Of all mountains, I am Govardhana" – Lord Krishna.

According to the stories, Govardhan Puja is very special because it is based on a legendary event. It is related to the time when Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhan Hill on his little finger to protect the villagers from the non-stop rain happening. The rain was sent by Indra Dev because he was very angry.

Krishan Ji was born in a place known as Brijbhoomi. Even today, Brijbhoomi celebrates this festival with a grand ceremony. If you ever get a chance, do visit that place.

This day also honours:

• Gau Puja – Worship of cows, dear to Lord Krishna
• Gau Krida – Joyful games and interactions with cows, celebrating their divine role in Vraja
• Anna Kuta Festival – Grand offering of hundreds of food preparations to Govardhana as Krishna Himself did. 

Why is Govardhan Puja celebrated? 

Let’s understand the importance of Govardhan Puja. According to the Hindu Scripture, Krishna urged the villagers to start worshipping the nature around them rather than Indra Dev. He said this because he believed that nature, like the Govardhan Hill, the plants and animals gave the villagers life. That’s why they must be prayed to.  

When Indra Dev got to know about this, he got very agitated. He started pouring heavy rain on the village. In response to this, Krishna lifted the hill by his little finger and gave shelter to the villagers, cattle and other animals underneath it for seven days and nights. 

Watching this, Lord Vishnu accepted his defeat and stopped the storm. He also realized the Krishan is the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This act showed that Govardhan Hill was the symbol of protection, gratitude and ecological balance. From then on, this day is celebrated as a festival that pays respect to Mount Govardhan.

Lessons to learn from Govardhan Puja

Govardhan Puja is a puja that teaches us many things. When you go through these lessons, you will understand that Govardhan Puja is not just a festival, but a puja that teaches us about mindful living.

• Respect nature as divine
• Practice humility in success
• Protect and support the community
• Express gratitude for everything we are surrounded by, every day

Govardhan Puja Celebrations? How is it done? 

This is also how other parts of our country do puja:

• Heaps of cow dung are used to form the hill, which represents the mountain Govardhan, and then they decorate it with different colours and flowers.

• Then the devotees do parikrama (moving around the mountain) around the cow dung representation and sing bhajans, dance and celebrate it.

• They also do aarti of the Govardhan mountain and ask to bless their family and to protect them. 

• As per tradition, 56 varieties of food are offered to show their respect towards Mother Nature. 

• Temples of Lord Krishan all over the country celebrate this day by reciting bhajans and offering food, sweets and prasad among all devotees. 
  

On this day, people living in different parts of India celebrate this holy day also by worshipping Lord Indra, the God of Rain, and Lord Vishwakarma, the architect of the universe.  By praying to them, they ask for their blessings and support to live a comfortable life on earth.

Art Meets Govadhan Puja 

 Have you ever come across a Krishna painting where Krishna ji is lifting the Govardhan Hill? It is one of the most powerful visuals in the Hindu culture. Govardhan Puja has inspired many people to create devotional art at this moment.

Many devotees place a soulful painting of Krishna Ji in their home during Govardhan Puja and decorate it very beautifully. These soulful paintings show the strength and calmness of that event in a single frame. 

So after reading this blog, if you want to experience it. Make sure you do it this year. 

ALL WE GOT TO KNOW

FAQs 

Q1. What time does Govardhan Puja come?
Govardhan Puja is celebrated the day after Diwali. According to Hindu culture, it is on the Pratipada Tithi of the Kartik month.

Q2. Is Annakut Puja different from the Govardhan Puja?
Not at all. Annakut Puja stands for the grand food offering that is a very essential part of Govardhan Puja.

Q3. Why is cow worship important on this day?
As we all know, cows are treated like gods in Hindu culture. Cows are a symbol of nourishment and prosperity because they give us so much. 

Q4. Can I celebrate Govardhan Puja at my home?
Yes, that too, very easily. You can do simple prayers, make food you want to offer and play bhajans. It is your way of devotion. You can even make the Govardhan hill with cow dung if there is a space available at your home.