From the adventurous story of Govardhan Puja to the Govardhan puja vidhi and all fun food items – Discover the joyous festival when devotees show their love to Lord Krishna.
India is our Land of festivals. Almost every week comes with a chance to celebrate a festival at some part of the country. You know India is a vast country with many religions, faith, and beliefs.
And, once you think of the culture of India, colours, fun, and festivity come to our mind. Indian Festivals are all about a lot of fun and joy. Diwali is one such auspicious festival that comes in the month of Karthik. And in the same month, Govardhan puja also arrives.
Govardhan puja
Govardhan puja is one grand festival celebrated with much joy across many different regions. It is a practice to decorate the temples of Lord Krishna and distribute Prasad after the puja. You can come together and make the festivities grander by involving in each aspect of the preparation. And never lose out on the mood of the occasion. 
In some places like Maharashtra, it is celebrated as Bali Padva. It marks the victory of Lord Vamana over devil king Bali. Gujarat celebrates it as the New Year Day. The light eliminates the darkness and gives a ray of hope. People of Mathura show great pleasure and enthusiasm during the Govardhan Puja. Towards the south of India, the festival is called Annakut.
Govardhan puja time
Govardhan Puja celebrations arrive a day after Diwali to show gratitude to Lord Shri Krishna. It dates back to the event when Lord Krishna had lifted the Govardhan hill on his little finger to save the villagers of Vrindavan from heavy rainfall. He provided shelter to all the villagers and cattle of the place.
Govardhan puja story
Legend speaks that Lord Indra was angered by the villagers when they were influenced by Lord Krishna not to offer their prayers. Lord Indra showed his fury by showering torrential rains for seven long days. To safeguard the villagers from the stormy rains, Lord Krishna decided to help and fight Lord Indra. Finally, Indra gave up, and Krishna became the saviour. This event represents the protection provided by the Lord toward his faithful devotees. Since the day, it has been a ritual to offer a great deal of food and delicacies to the Deity to thank him for his blessings.
Govardhan Puja Vidhi
How to perform Govardhan Puja Vidhi?
- Decorate your home entrance
Every festival is about inviting the auspiciousness into our homes. On Govardhan puja day, decorate your home entrance with colourful rangoli patterns. The decorations bring in the sense of joy and festivity.
- Brighten up your house with diya lights
It is a ritual to light up diya lamps around the rangoli. The twinkling flicker of light adds to the festive aura.
- Visit the Giriraj Govardhan
As per the ritual, devotees of Lord Krishna visit the Govardhan Parvat to offer their prayers. For Govardhan puja at your home, you can recreate the mountain with cow dung and mud. Decorate this mountain with flowers, twigs, and miniature cow figures. Then, Lord Krishna and the cows are bathed with milk and dressed in new clothes and jewellery.
Image courtesy: Salagram.net - Offerings to the Govardhan parvat
Lord Krishna at the Giriraj Govardhan is offered with a special meal called ‘Chappan bhog’. It is an exuberant Hindu meal with 56 dishes laid out in a thali and offered to Lord Krishna as prasad. Devotees chant prayers and hymns while offering the Chappan bhog to Lord Krishna.
- Distribute the prasad
The Chappan bhog is shared amongst all the devotees and loved ones.
Govardhan Puja items
Diyas
People use diyas, flowers, candles, rangoli, and more to make their homes look grand. Decorating the house with small oil lamps or the Diyas will give you a fulfilling experience. It brightens up your house, providing the much-needed charm. You can drive away negative energy by lighting the Diyas.
Rangoli
Doorways and entryways can adorn the pleasing art form of drawing Rangoli patterns to bring out the festive spirit. Decorative Rangoli patterns with rice, sand and also flowers are a popular choice. You can mix up some power colours to give it an attractive look.
Giriraj Govardhan
Pilgrims visit Govardhan Parvat and offer the food or make the Bhog for him in their homes. You can create Giriraj Govardhan mountain made of Cow dung or mud. The ritual says that the mountain protects and gives us the source of living always. Decorate this mountain with flowers, twigs, and miniature cow figures. You can bathe and decorate your cows if you own any.
Lots of food
Bathe the idol of Lord Krishna with milk and beautify with bright clothes and jewels. Then people prepare 56 types of dishes called the “Chappan Bhog” to offer it to the Lord. Meals have different cereals like rice and wheat. Green leafy vegetables and gram flour curry are also essential dishes during this festival. You can perform the puja, offer Govardhan Arti and chant mantra to please the Lord. Sing devotional kirtans for the deities to accept the food offered. This festival marks the victory of Lord Krishna over Lord Indra.