Devotees offer chappan bhog to Lord Krishna during Govardhan Puja.
Govardhan Puja will be held in several parts of the country today. As per the Hindu calendar, Govardhan Puja, also known as Annakut Puja, is observed on Patipada tithi of Shukla paksha in the month of Kartik. This year, the Govardhan Puja will be observed on October 26.
Govardhan Puja Shubh Mahurat
Generally, Govardhan puja is performed a day after Diwali every year. However, in certain years, depending on the Pratipada tithi as per the Hindu calendar, Govardhan Puja is observed on the second day after Diwali.
According to the Hindu calendar, the Pratipada tithi this year will begin at 4:18 pm today and end at 02:42 pm tomorrow. The Govardhan Puja Pratahkala Muhurat or the auspicious timings in the morning will prevail from 6:12 am to 8:32 am tomorrow.
Significance
Govardhan Puja is performed to commemorate the victory of Lord Krishna over Lord Indra. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Krishna, with the help of his little finger, had lifted Govardhan parvat (hill) to provide shelter to the people of Vrindavan to protect them from heavy rainfall. It's believed that after continuous rains for seven days and seven nights, Lord Indra accepted his defeat and stopped the rain.
Govardhan puja stresses the importance of the fundamental aspects of human life. This is also thought to be a good way to express gratitude to mother nature. On this occasion, devotees perform Annakut Puja. They prepare chappan bhog (56 delicious food items) and offer them to Lord Krishna.
Celebrations
On the day, people wake up in Brahma muhurat, take bath and wear new clothes. Devotees prepare bhog for Lord Krishna. They also build some cow dung hillocks in an open space symbolising Govardhan parvat, to perform the puja.