Govardhan Puja is also known as Annakut or Padwa. This is a big festival that is mostly held in northern India. This puja is held just a day after Lakshmi puja, on the fourth day of Diwali. The Drik Panchang calendar says that Govardhan Puja will be held on November 2, 2024, as planned.
Govardhan Puja holds significant importance in Hindu culture, as it symbolises the deep connection between humanity and nature. The festival commemorates Lord Krishna’s divine act of lifting the Govardhan Hill to protect the people of Vrindavan from the wrath of Lord Indra. In addition, this day is significant because it is the day that a lavish feast, known as Annakut, is prepared. This feast is comprised of a variety of delicacies that are presented to the gods.
Govardhan Puja – Date & Shubh Muhurat:
According to the Drik Panchang, the auspicious timings or Shubh Muhurat, for Govardhan Puja 2024 are as follows:
This year, Govardhan Puja will be observed on November 2, 2024, Saturday.
Govardhan Puja Pratahkala Muhurat: 06:34 AM to 08:46 AM
Govardhan Puja Sayankala Muhurat: 03:23 PM to 05:35 PM
Pratipada Tithi Begins: 06:16 PM on Nov 01, 2024
Pratipada Tithi Ends: 08:21 PM on Nov 02, 2024
During this time, devotees perform rituals and offer prayers to Govardhan Hill, Lord Krishna, and cows, seeking blessings for prosperity and protection from all adversities.
Why is Govardhan Puja Celebrated?
The life of Lord Krishna is the source of the legend that governs the festival of Govardhan Puja. According to Hindu legend, the residents of Vrindavan would pray to Lord Indra, the deity of rain and thunder, to ensure that their crops received an acceptable amount of rainfall. Young Krishna told them to stop worshipping Indra and instead worship the Govardhan Hill, which gives cattle natural resources like food, shelter, and water.
Angered by this, Lord Indra unleashed torrential rains over Vrindavan. To protect the people and their livestock, Krishna lifted the entire Govardhan Hill with his little finger, sheltering everyone under it. The rains continued for seven days, but Krishna held up the hill until Lord Indra finally realised his mistake and stopped the downpour. This event showed people how important it is to respect nature and put an end to worshipping Indra too much.
The festival of Govardhan Puja is held in order to commemorate this incident, which is a representation of Krishna’s protection and direction. It also emphasises the importance of respecting nature, as nature provides sustenance and protection for all living beings.