Govardhan Puja is an important Hindu festival that is celebrated immediately after diwali. This festival is celebrated with zeal and fervour especially in the Northern part of India. This festival is known by the names of Annakut, Padwa and Varshapratipada.
History behind Govardhan Puja
Govardhan Puja is festival in which Lord Krishna is worshipped, commemorating the lifting of the Govardhan Mountain, well-known and Govardhan Parvat. According to the mythological account present in 'Vishnu Puraan', the people of Gokul used to worship and offer prayer to Lord Indra for the rains since they believed that it was he who sent rains for their benefit but Lord Krishna told them that it was Mount Govardhan (Govardhan Paevat) and not Lord Indra who caused rains, hence they should worship the former and not the latter. People did the same and it made Lord Indra so infuriated that the people of Gokul had to face exceptionally heavy rains as a result of his anger. Subsequently Lord Krishna came forward to ensure their security and after worshipping and offering prayers to Mount Govardhan, he lifted it as an umbrella on the little finger of his right hand so that everyone could take shelter under it. After this event Lord Krishna came to be known as Giridhari or Govardhandhari.
Celebration of Govardhan Puja
Govardhan Puja is celebrated with hue and cry in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. On this day, people make hillocks from cow dung, which symbolize the Mount Govardhan, the mountain that was once upon a time lifted by Lord Krishna. After the hillocks are made, people embellish them with flowers and then worship them. They move in a circle all round the cow dung hillocks and offer prayers to Lord Govardhan. It is celebrated on the fourth day of the five-day long Diwali celebration. On this day people prepare fifty-six or one hundred and eight different varieties of delicious dishes to offer Lord Krishna as 'Bhog'. It is also believed that on this day King Bali came out of “Patal Lok”. On this day Marathi New Year Gudi Padwa is celebrated with great enthusiasm. People take new clothes and exchange gifts and sweets on this occasion.
History behind Govardhan Puja
Govardhan Puja is festival in which Lord Krishna is worshipped, commemorating the lifting of the Govardhan Mountain, well-known and Govardhan Parvat. According to the mythological account present in 'Vishnu Puraan', the people of Gokul used to worship and offer prayer to Lord Indra for the rains since they believed that it was he who sent rains for their benefit but Lord Krishna told them that it was Mount Govardhan (Govardhan Paevat) and not Lord Indra who caused rains, hence they should worship the former and not the latter. People did the same and it made Lord Indra so infuriated that the people of Gokul had to face exceptionally heavy rains as a result of his anger. Subsequently Lord Krishna came forward to ensure their security and after worshipping and offering prayers to Mount Govardhan, he lifted it as an umbrella on the little finger of his right hand so that everyone could take shelter under it. After this event Lord Krishna came to be known as Giridhari or Govardhandhari.
Celebration of Govardhan Puja
Govardhan Puja is celebrated with hue and cry in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. On this day, people make hillocks from cow dung, which symbolize the Mount Govardhan, the mountain that was once upon a time lifted by Lord Krishna. After the hillocks are made, people embellish them with flowers and then worship them. They move in a circle all round the cow dung hillocks and offer prayers to Lord Govardhan. It is celebrated on the fourth day of the five-day long Diwali celebration. On this day people prepare fifty-six or one hundred and eight different varieties of delicious dishes to offer Lord Krishna as 'Bhog'. It is also believed that on this day King Bali came out of “Patal Lok”. On this day Marathi New Year Gudi Padwa is celebrated with great enthusiasm. People take new clothes and exchange gifts and sweets on this occasion.