Govardhan Puja
गोवर्धन पूजा
The day after Diwali, celebrating when young Krishna lifted Govardhan Hill to protect villagers from torrential rains. Devotees prepare a mountain of food (annakut) as an offering.
Why We Celebrate
Govardhan Puja celebrates the day young Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhan Hill on his little finger for seven days to protect the villagers of Vrindavan from devastating rains sent by a furious Indra. Krishna had convinced the villagers to worship Govardhan Hill instead of Indra, challenging the ego of the king of gods. This story teaches that devotion and righteousness triumph over pride and power.
Govardhan Puja celebrates the day young Krishna challenged the mighty Indra, king of the gods. The villagers of Vrindavan had always performed elaborate rituals and offerings to Indra, fearing his power over rain and storms. But young Krishna questioned this, asking why they didn't worship Govardhan Hill instead — the hill that gave them grass for their cattle, herbs for their medicine, and shelter from the elements.
Furious at losing his worship, Indra unleashed a catastrophic storm over Vrindavan — seven days and nights of relentless rain and wind. The terrified villagers ran to Krishna for help. With a smile, the young boy lifted the entire Govardhan Hill on his little finger like an umbrella, and all the villagers and their cattle took shelter beneath it for seven days. Humbled, Indra finally relented and bowed to Krishna.
On Govardhan Puja, devotees create small hillocks from cow dung or food (representing Govardhan Hill), prepare massive feasts called Annakut (mountain of food) with 56 or 108 dishes, and perform Go Puja (worship of cows). The festival teaches us to honor nature, challenge blind ritual, and trust in righteous action over fear.
How It's Celebrated
Create a small hillock of cow dung or food (representing Govardhan Hill) and decorate with flowers
Prepare a mountain of food offerings (Annakut/Annakoot) — 56 or 108 dishes offered to Krishna
Perform Go Puja — worship and honor cows with garlands, tilak, and special feed
Walk around the Govardhan representation (parikrama) while chanting Krishna's name
Distribute the food prasad to community members
Regional Variations
What You Need
- Cow dung or soil for making the Govardhan hill
- Multiple food items for Annakut (minimum 56 varieties)
- Krishna idol or photo
- Flowers, incense, and oil lamp
- Garlands and special feed for cows
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Download AaradhanaDid You Know?
- ✦The Annakut (mountain of food) offered to Krishna at some temples contains 56 dishes (Chappan Bhog) — each representing a different meal that the villagers would have eaten during the seven days of the storm.
- ✦Govardhan Hill in Vrindavan still exists today and is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites for Vaishnavas. Devotees perform a 21-kilometer parikrama (circumambulation) around the hill on bare feet.
- ✦This festival is also the Gujarati New Year — marking a fresh start with gratitude, generosity, and the spirit of community sharing.
Related Festivals
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