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The significant festival marks the first day in the lunar month of Kartik as per the Hindu calendar.
The festival will be observed on November 2 this year.
Diwali, the festival of light, is here. It is one of the most anticipated festivals, celebrated with pomp and enthusiasm. The five-day Diwali celebrations start with Dhanteras and culminate on Bhai Dooj. Govardhan Puja is also a part of the five-day festivities, usually celebrated a day after Diwali. The significant festival marks the first day in the lunar month of Kartik, as per the Hindu calendar. The tradition of Govardhan Puja on the next day of Diwali has been going on for centuries. Govardhan Puja is performed every year on the Pratipada date of Shukla Paksha of Kartik month. During this festival, Govardhan Hill is made from cow dung outside the house and it is worshipped by the devotees. Worship of cows also has special significance in Govardhan Puja.
In many states of India, Govardhan Puja is also called Annakut. On this day, Annakoot Prasad is prepared in homes. During the festival, an idol of Govardhan is also made from cow dung in every house and devotees offer prayer along with the whole family.
This year, the festival will be observed on November 2, because Kartik Amavasya will last till November 1. It is celebrated on Kartik Shukla Paksha Pratipada Tithi. In such a situation, Pratipada Tithi is starting on November 1 at 06:16 pm. At the same time, this date will end on November 2 at 08:21 pm. According to Drik Panchang, the Govardhan Puja Pratahkala Muhurat is from 6:38 AM to 08:53 AM, while the Sayankala Muhurat is from 3:36 PM to 05:51 PM on November 2.
The celebration of Govardhan Puja is based on the mythology mentioned in the Bhagavata Purana. It is a religious belief that Lord Krishna told the people of Vrindavan to worship the Govardhan mountain instead of offering prasad to Indradev, the god of rain. When Indradev came to know about this, he became angry and started pouring torrential rain on Vrindavan. Then, Lord Krishna saved the people of Vrindavan from the wrath of the rain god Indra. He lifted the entire Govardhan Hill on his little finger and provided shelter to the people and animals. Since then, the festival is celebrated as Annakut to offer prayer to Govardhan Hill.
