The festivities during Diwali are the grandest extravaganza of the year in India. Among these noteworthy festival days, the auspicious Govardhan Puja or Annakut Puja falls on the day after Diwali. Govardhan Puja is honored as the propitious day when Lord Krishna defeated Lord Indra. This occasion is all about thanking the divine forces for their blessings.
Govardhan Puja 2024 Date And Time: Learn About It Here!
Here is the Govardhan Puja Muhurat.
Govardhan Puja 2024 Date- 2nd November 2024 (Saturday)
Govardhan Puja Time (Pratahkal Muhurat)- From 06:34 AM to 08:46 AM (IST)
Govardhan Puja Time (Sayankala Muhurat)- From 03:23 PM to 05:35 PM (IST)
Pratipada Tithi (Starting Time)- 06:16 PM, 1st November 2024 (Friday)
Pratipada Tithi (Ending Time)- 08:21 PM, 2nd November 2024 (Saturday)
The Best Govardhan Puja Timing
In religious scriptures, Govardhan Puja falls during Shukla Paksha's Pratipada Tithi, which is the first Lunar day of the Kartik month. It's the fourth day of the Diwali festivities.
The New Year
Mostly, Govardhan Puja coincides with the Gujarati New Year, which is why the people of Gujarat celebrate Govardhan Puja as the first day of the New Year. The essence of Gujarati culture can be seen in the Gujarati New Year celebrations.
Significance And Mythological Relevance: Why Is The Govardhan Puja Celebrated?
Are you curious to know why Govardhan Puja is celebrated? It has an interesting anecdote behind it. Our scriptures provide a detailed version of the incident commemorated as Govardhan Puja.
As per mythological legends, the people of Vrindavan suffered from a severe drought. So, they decided to pray to Lord Indra and seek his blessings. Lord Indra was worshiped by the cowherd community since he governed the rains that led to proper irrigation of the cultivated lands. Lord Krishna questioned the logic behind appeasing Lord Indra when the cows, the Vrindavan forest, and the Govardhan mountain sustained the population.
The population of Vrindavan started worshiping the Govardhan mountain instead of Lord Indra. As a consequence, Lord Indra became angry that the people stopped worshiping him. So, he unleashed his fury on the hapless Vrindavan people by initiating torrential rainfall. The people became afraid and approached Lord Krishna for help. Lord Krishna lifted the entire Govardhan mountain with his little finger and provided shelter to all the villagers and the livestock.
Lord Indra became angrier and increased the intensity of the rainfall. It rained perpetually for seven days. But Lord Krishna kept lifting the Govardhan mountain and sheltered the people and their livestock. Finally, Indra realized his folly and succumbed to Lord Krishna's might. He stopped the rain and begged forgiveness from Lord Krishna. Since that day, Govardhan Puja is celebrated.
Devotees worship Lord Krishna, the Govardhan Hill, and cows on this festival. They use this occasion to express their appreciation and gratitude to Mother Nature and its abundance. People consider Govardhan Puja significant because the festival conveys that life depends on Nature's elements and resources. Therefore, one should respect and thank Mother Nature for everything we have in our lives.
Govardhan Puja Vidhi And Rituals You Should Know
Here are the Govardhan Puja rituals.
People worship Lord Krishna, Lord Varuna (Wind God), Lord Indra (Rain God), and Lord Agni (Fire God) on Govardhan Puja.
Devotees make replicas of the Govardhan mountain from cow dung and decorate it with flowers. You are recommended to perform the rituals during the Govardhan Puja Muhurat. You should present water, incense sticks, fruits, and other oblations during the Puja.
People also worship cows and other farm animals on this day by bathing, decorating, and offering them good food.
Devotees place a clay lamp on the Govardhan mountain effigy and worship it by putting milk, curd, Ganga Jal (water from the holy Ganges), honey, and crystallized sugar during the Puja time. Then, they distribute the Prasad to everyone.
After the Puja, people pray to the Govardhan mountain and circumambulate the idol. While doing so, they should spill the water from the vessel and complete the resolution by sowing barley and other grains on the ground.
Many people worship Lord Vishwakarma, the Divine Architect, on this day. So, industrialists worship their factories and machines because these equipment are responsible for their sustenance.
Worshiping the Govardhan mountain on this day is believed to bring prosperity and better health to children and enhance the production of cow milk.
Annakut Puja And Govardhan Puja: Learn About It Here!
Annakut or Annakoot Puja represents the fourth day of the Diwali festivities that begins with Dhanteras, and it is the ultimate display of complete surrender by a devotee to Lord Krishna and his subsequent grace on his devotees. The preparation of 'Annakoot' is an integral part of the auspicious Govardhan Puja. The word 'Annakoot' means 'Mountain of Food'. Thus, on the auspicious Govardhan Puja, devotees prepare 56 varied food preparations that are offered as 'Bhog' to Lord Krishna.
Delicacies made of cereals like wheat and rice, along with a curry made of gram flour and leafy vegetables, are prepared. Sweets made from milk and other delicacies are offered to Lord Krishna. This massive feast that contains 56 types of food is known as 'Chappan Bhog'.
After the Puja, the 'Annakoot' Prasad is distributed among the devotees. In many temples, during Annakoot, a night vigil, songs, and dance are performed. Devotees pray to Lord Krishna to bless and look after them. It is an excellent way of expressing your gratitude to Lord Krishna.
Is Bali Pratipada And Govardhan Puja The Same?
Yes! Govardhan Puja is known by different names in different parts of India. In some areas, this celebration is known as 'Bali Pratipada' or 'Annakut Puja'. People residing in the state of Maharashtra celebrate Govardhan Puja as Bali Pratipada in their communities.
Bali Pratipada has mythological significance. It was the day when Lord Vishnu liberated King Mahabali by assuming the Vamana Avatar. Mahabali, the Asura King, assumed control of all three worlds- Bhu Loka, Swarga Loka, and Paatal Loka. All the kings, sages, and gods approached Lord Vishnu, requesting him to liberate them from Mahabali's clutches. Lord Vishnu assumed the form of a Vamana and approached Mahabali for alms.
Mahabali was a generous king who never failed to honor his promise. He requested Vamana to ask whatever he wanted. Vamana asked for the amount of land his feet could cover in three steps. Mahabali laughed at Vamana after looking at his tiny feet. He granted the wish. Meanwhile, Guru Shukracharya warned Mahabali against fulfilling his promise. But Mahabali had given his word and refused to retract his boon.
Vamana grew up in size to assume the Trivikrama form and covered the Earth with one step and the mid-world between Earth and heaven with his second step. He asked Mahabali where he should place the third one. Mahabali offered his head and requested Lord Vishnu to take the step there. Thus, Lord Vishnu stepped on his head, pushed Mahabali to Paatal Lok, and made him the ruler of the underworld kingdom.
People celebrate the day after Diwali as Bali Pratipada.
This revered festival holds special significance in the Northern states of India. Diwali celebrations extend much after Diwali as people celebrate Govardhan Puja, Bali Pratipada, and Bhai Dooj, which follow thereafter.
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