Major Festivals — Hindu Sacred Festival
Annakut
Annakut (Anna = food, Kut = mountain) is the grand offering of a "mountain of food" to Lord Krishna or Vishnu, celebrated on the day after Diwali. Temples across India — especially Vaishnava temples — prepare hundreds or thousands of food items and arrange them in the form of a mountain before the deity. The tradition originates from Krishna instructing the Braj community to offer the Govardhan Hill and food to nature rather than to Indra. At the famous Nathdwara temple in Rajasthan and ISKCON temples worldwide, Annakut is a spectacular display with 56 to thousands of dishes.
Last updated: 23 April 2026 · Source: Vedic Tradition
Significance
Gratitude to the divine for the abundance of food and harvest. The "mountain of food" is a symbolic acknowledgment that all sustenance comes from God. Annakut prasad is considered especially blessed.
Rituals & Traditions
Temples prepare 56 (Chhappan Bhog) to thousands of food dishes. Arrange food as a mountain in front of the deity. Perform grand Annakut puja with Vedic chanting. Devotees queue for darshan of the food mountain. Prasad distributed to all. At home, offer a variety of freshly cooked dishes to the deity.
Traditional Foods
FAQ
Q.What is Annakut?
Annakut (Anna = food, Kut = mountain) is the grand offering of a "mountain of food" to Lord Krishna or Vishnu, celebrated on the day after Diwali. Temples across India — especially Vaishnava temples — prepare hundreds or thousands of food items and a...
Q.What is the significance of Annakut?
Gratitude to the divine for the abundance of food and harvest. The "mountain of food" is a symbolic acknowledgment that all sustenance comes from God. Annakut prasad is considered especially blessed.
Q.What are the rituals of Annakut?
Temples prepare 56 (Chhappan Bhog) to thousands of food dishes. Arrange food as a mountain in front of the deity. Perform grand Annakut puja with Vedic chanting. Devotees queue for darshan of the food mountain. Prasad distributed to all. At home, offer a variety of freshly cooked dishes to the deity.
Q.What foods are made during Annakut?
Chhappan Bhog (56 items), Rice varieties, Dal, Sabzi, Kheer, Halwa, Puri, Ladoo, Barfi