Govardhan Puja or Annakut Puja

Govardhan Puja, also known as Annakut Puja, is a Hindu festival celebrated the day after Diwali, the festival of lights. 

Govardhan Puja or Annakut Puja

Govardhan Puja typically falls on the fourth day of the lunar month of Kartik (October or November). The festival holds special significance in the Krishna tradition, particularly in the states of North India. 

Story behind Govardhan Puja associated with Sree Krishna

The story behind Govardhan Puja is associated with Lord Krishna. According to Hindu mythology, the people of the town of Vrindavan used to worship Lord Indra, the god of rain, by offering elaborate rituals and sacrifices. However, Lord Krishna persuaded the people to stop these rituals and instead worship Govardhan Hill, a sacred mountain in the area. He explained that the mountain was more worthy of their offerings as it provided abundant natural resources, such as grass for the cows and a source of water.

In defiance of Lord Indra, the villagers followed Krishna's advice and prepared a massive offering of food, known as Annakut, which translates to "mountain of food." They arranged various dishes and sweets in the form of a mountain to express their gratitude to Govardhan Hill. This act angered Lord Indra, who, in his fury, sent torrential rains to punish the people of Vrindavan.

To protect the villagers from the deluge, Lord Krishna lifted Govardhan Hill with his little finger as an umbrella, providing shelter to the entire community. This event demonstrated Krishna's divine powers and highlighted the importance of nature and local resources over grandiose rituals.

In commemoration of this event, Govardhan Puja is observed by creating a symbolic representation of Govardhan Hill using various food items. Temples and households prepare elaborate feasts with a variety of vegetarian dishes, which are then offered to the deities. Devotees also circumambulate a representation of Govardhan Hill made from cow dung or other materials.

The festival serves as a reminder of the ecological balance and the significance of environmental responsibility in Hindu philosophy. It emphasizes the idea that one should be grateful for and protect the resources provided by nature.