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Govardhan Puja 2023: Significance, date, right time, puja vidhi
Govardhan Puja, also known as Annakut Puja, is celebrated a day after Diwali. It commemorates the day when Lord Krishna raised the Govardhan hill or Giri Govardhan to shield the people of Vrindavan from Lord Indra’s fury, which led to heavy rain and floods. Govardhan Puja commemorates Lord Krishna’s victory over Lord Indra.
Govardhan Puja 2023: Date and time
Generally Govardhan Puja is celebrated a day after Diwali. However, depending on the Hindu calendar there could be a gap of one day between Diwali and Govardhan Puja.
Govardhan Puja is performed on Pratipada Tithi of Shukla Paksha in the month of Kartika, as per Hindu calendar. This year, Govardhan Puja falls on November 14.
The Pratipada Tithi will begin at 2:56PM on November 13 and end at 2:36 PM on November 14. The auspicious timings for Goverdhan Puja in morning is between 06:43 AM and 08:52 AM.
Mythological story
As per mythological tales, when Lord Krishna used to live in Vrindavan, he advised the people to worship Govardhan hill and cows rather than Lord Indra, the god of rain. This enraged Indra and showered Vrindavan with heavy rain. Krishna raised Govardhan hill on his little finger and provided shelter to the people for seven days. Govardhan Puja is celebrated to commemorate this occasion and to seek blessings of Lord Krishna.
On the day of the Govardhan Puja, devotees start their rituals early in the morning by taking a bath before sunrise. Then they bathe an idol of Balgopal in panchamrita — a mixture of milk, curd, ghee, honey and sugar. The idol is then decked in new attire, jewellery and flowers.
Govardhan Puja: Samagri
Devotees use vermillion, sandalwood, flowers, incense, lamps, fruits, sweets and rice to offer to Lord Krishna. A miniature version of Govardhan hill is made out of cow dung. Devotees perform aartis, sing bhajans dedicated to Lord Krishna, and decorate their homes with flowers, diyas and rangoli. Devotees also prepare ‘chhappan bhog,’ a spread of 56 dishes, and offer it to Lord Krishna.
Govardhan Puja: Significance
Govardhan Puja is a representation of the victory of the human spirit over pride and ego. It reminds people that God is there to save his devotees from adversities. Govardhan Hill, which represents nature, serves as a symbol for the need to protect the environment.
Govardhan Puja: Celebrations in India
- North India: Prayers, aartis and processions are held in temples of Mathura and Vrindavan. Devotees participate in Govardhan Yatra. Rajasthan comes alive with lavish feasts, decorated homes and special bazaars selling Krishna toys and statues.
- East India: Lord Krishna is offered sweets like chenapod and chhenagaja in Odisha. Devotees in West Bengal celebrate Kartik Puja and offer bhog to Tulsi plants.
- South India: Govardhan Hill and Radha-Krishna idols made creatively from flowers, fruits, sweets and savoury delights are displayed in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.