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Govardhan Puja Vrat Katha: The day is dedicated to the worship of Govardhan Hill, Lord Krishna, cows and Nandi, symbolising gratitude towards nature and divine protection.
Govardhan Puja 2025 will be celebrated on October 22. (AI generated image)
Govardhan Puja Vrat Katha: Govardhan Puja, also known as Annakut Utsav, is a significant Hindu festival celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion across India, particularly in the sacred regions of Mathura, Vrindavan, Govardhan and Braj. The festival falls on the Pratipada Tithi of Kartik Shukla Paksha, the day following Diwali and this year it will be observed on Wednesday, October 22.
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The day commemorates Lord Krishna’s victory over the arrogance of Lord Indra and serves as a reminder of humility, faith and devotion. It is dedicated to the worship of Govardhan Hill, Lord Krishna, cows and Nandi, symbolising gratitude towards nature and divine protection.
The Story of Lord Krishna Lifting Govardhan Hill
According to sacred Hindu scriptures, the story of Govardhan Puja dates back to the Dwapara Yuga. The people of Gokul, under the guidance of their young Lord Krishna, were preparing for their annual rituals to please Lord Indra, the god of rain.
Krishna, however, questioned the villagers about their belief and explained that it was Govardhan Hill that truly sustained their lives by providing fertile soil, vegetation and resources for their cattle.
Convinced by Krishna’s wisdom, the villagers decided to worship Govardhan Hill instead of Indra.
This act of devotion angered Lord Indra, who felt insulted and unleashed heavy rains and thunderstorms over Gokul to punish the villagers. The torrential downpour caused fear and panic among the people, as their homes and fields were submerged in water.
In response, Lord Krishna lifted the mighty Govardhan Hill on his little finger, creating a vast shelter for the villagers, their cattle and all living beings. For seven continuous days and nights, Krishna held the hill, protecting everyone beneath it from the wrath of Indra.
Realising Krishna’s divine power as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Indra eventually repented for his arrogance and sought forgiveness. He understood that devotion and humility are far greater than pride and power.
After the storm subsided, the people of Gokul expressed their gratitude to Lord Krishna by preparing a grand feast from the vegetables and grains available in their homes.
This marked the beginning of the Annakut or the “mountain of food” tradition, which symbolises abundance and thankfulness.
How to Perform Annakut Ritual
The Annakut ritual forms the heart of Govardhan Puja and is celebrated with devotion and joy. The word Annakut literally means “a mountain of food,” representing prosperity, gratitude and the offering of one’s blessings back to the divine.
On this auspicious day, devotees prepare a wide variety of vegetarian dishes, including rice, lentils, curries, leafy vegetables, sweets, fruits and snacks, which are then arranged in the form of a mountain in front of Lord Krishna’s idol.
In many households and temples, devotees create small Govardhan hills using cow dung, symbolising the original Govardhan Parvat lifted by Krishna. These miniature hills are decorated with flowers, turmeric and Kumkum, signifying purity and reverence.
People offer prayers to these symbolic hills, seeking blessings for the protection, prosperity and well-being of their families.
As part of the Govardhan Puja Vidhi, cows, regarded as sacred and beloved by Lord Krishna are bathed, adorned with garlands, saffron and ornaments and worshipped with deep devotion. Devotees also perform seven circumambulations (parikramas) around the cow-dung-made Govardhan hills as an act of reverence and faith.
During the celebration, devotees present the famous Chappan Bhog (a feast of 56 delicacies) to Lord Krishna as an offering of love and gratitude. Once the offering is completed, the prasad is distributed among family members, friends and the community.
The atmosphere fills with devotion as people sing bhajans, chant Krishna mantras and perform the Govardhan Aarti, expressing their deep love and faith in the Lord.
Nibandh Vinod is a seasoned journalist with nearly three decades of experience, known for his in-depth coverage of events and festivals, as well as his expertise in SEO-driven content at News18.com. A tech-savv…Read More
Nibandh Vinod is a seasoned journalist with nearly three decades of experience, known for his in-depth coverage of events and festivals, as well as his expertise in SEO-driven content at News18.com. A tech-savv… Read More
October 22, 2025, 06:05 IST
