Govardhan Puja

Next Govardhan Puja Wednesday, 22 October 2025

Every year, people across the country, observes Govardhan Puja to show their devotion to Lord Krishna on the first day of the bright half of the Kartika month in the Hindu calendar.

The Hindu festival usually falls in the month of October-November in the Gregorian calendar and is also known as also known as Annakut or Annakoot.

Govardhan Puja commemorates Lord Krishna’s heroic act of lifting the Govardhan Hill on his little finger and holding it for days to protect the people of Braj from Lord Indra’s wrath.

It is the second last festival of the five-day Diwali celebration that takes place on the fourth day.

Govardhan Puja 2025 Date And Timings

Govardhan Puja in 2025 will be observed on Wednesday, 22 October.

The Pratahkala Muhurat for the puja is from 06:26 AM to 08:42 AM, and the Sayankala Muhurat is from 03:29 PM to 05:44 PM, each lasting 2 hours and 16 minutes.

The festival also highlights Dyuta Krida on the same day, with the Pratipada Tithi beginning at 5:54 PM on 21 October and ending at 8:16 PM on 22 October, according to the Hindu calendar.

The Origin of Govardhan Puja

The heritage of Govardhan Puja is specifically embedded in the early life of Krishna in Braj where he spent the majority of his childhood years.

Krishna and his friends engaged in many adventures in Braj, and one of the most popular is the story of Govardhan Hill, as narrated in the Bhagavata Purana.

During that era, the residents near Govardhan Hill were mostly cowherds who worshiped Indra Dev, the god of rain, to express their gratitude for the post-autumn rains.

But Indra dev's pride knew no bounds and Krishna was adamant of teaching him a lesson in humility.

Hence, that year, Krishna urged the villagers to worship Govardhan Hill, which provided them with grass for their cattle and other natural benefits, instead of worshiping Indra Dev.

Even though Krishna was very young back then, the villages respected him and his words because of his wisdom and unparalleled strength, and they agreed to stop worshiping Indra.

This incident made Indra extremely furious, and to punish the villagers, he sent severe rain and thunderstorms to the village.

To save the villagers and animals from Indra's outrage, Krishna lifted the giant Govardhan hill with the tip of his little finger and shielded people and animals beneath it.

This went on for seven days, but Krishna never let the hill fall, and it made Indra realize Krishna’s divine power causing him to admit defeat and eventually stop the storms.

This day has been celebrated as Govardhan Puja ever since where they show their respect to Mount Govardhan by organizing a grand feast called Giriyajna.

Krishna is reputed to have assumed the form of a mountain in order to personally accept their offerings.

Govardhan Hill

Govardhan Hill in Braj is a pilgrimage site for Krishna devotees. On Annakut, the fourth day of Diwali, people walk around the hill on an 11-mile trek and offer flowers, food, and prayers. Some even perform full-body prostrations called dandavats, which can take several days to complete.

Significance of Govardhan Puja

Govardhan Puja teaches that faith in the divine can protect us through life's challenges, both big and small.
Indra’s defeat reminds us that pride has no place in true devotion.
Worshiping the hill shows respect for nature and the blessings it provides.
The food offerings are a way to thank the Earth and the divine for all their gifts.

Rituals of Govardhan Puja

Several families reconstruct a tiny model of Govardhan Hill with cow dung and decorates it with figurines and fake leaves to represent nature.

They prepare a grand offering known as chappan bhog, consisting of 56 different food items, which are then placed before the symbolic hill.

A member of the cow herding community usually leads the ritual, walking with a cow and a bull, followed by the villagers.

After the offerings are made, the food is shared among everyone as prasad, or sanctified food.

In another variation of the ritual, devotees craft an image of Krishna from cow dung, laying it flat and adorning it with earthen lamps, candles, and decorative materials.

This idol is then worshiped with devotion, “fed” by the worshipers, and in some regions, women observe a fast during the ritual.

Prayers are also directed toward Govardhan Hill itself, as devotees express their gratitude and seek blessings.

Celebrations at Temples

In BAPS Swaminarayan temples, Annakut is the biggest event of the year. Food is offered in dazzling displays, including over 1,200 dishes at the Neasden Mandir in England and 3,500 dishes at BAPS Atladra Mandir in Gujarat, a world record.
Devotees sing thaal kirtans, naming the dishes in devotional songs, perform aarti, and walk around the deity in a festive mood of gratitude.
At ISKCON centers across the world, Govardhan Puja is celebrated with big food offerings, bhajans, and reenactments of Krishna lifting the hill. ISKCON Mysore once offered 250 kg of food to Krishna.
In the historic towns of Mathura and Nathdwara, Krishna idols are bathed in milk and worshiped with beautifully decorated Annakuts, blending divine indulgence with heartfelt devotion.