Major Festivals — Hindu Sacred Festival
Govardhan Puja
Govardhan Puja (also called Annakut — "mountain of food") is celebrated the day after Diwali on Kartik Shukla Pratipada. It commemorates the legendary event when Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhan Hill on his little finger for seven days to shelter the villagers of Vrindavan from the devastating rains sent by the angry god Indra. After being humbled, Indra accepted Krishna's supremacy. Devotees create a symbolic hill of cow dung (representing Govardhan) and decorate it with flowers, then perform Govardhan Parikrama (circumambulation). The Annakut festival involves offering mountains of food to the deity.
Last updated: 23 April 2026 · Source: Vedic Tradition
Significance
Krishna's victory over Indra's ego represents the triumph of devotion and community welfare over blind ritual and fear. The festival also celebrates the cow, nature, and the earth as providers of sustenance.
Rituals & Traditions
Create Govardhan hill with cow dung, decorate with flowers and diyas. Perform Govardhan Puja with 56-item food offering (Chhappan Bhog). Perform Govardhan Parikrama (circumambulation). Worship cows (Gau Puja). In temples, display Annakut — enormous mountain of cooked food offered to the deity.
Traditional Foods
FAQ
Q.What is Govardhan Puja?
Govardhan Puja (also called Annakut — "mountain of food") is celebrated the day after Diwali on Kartik Shukla Pratipada. It commemorates the legendary event when Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhan Hill on his little finger for seven days to shelter th...
Q.What is the significance of Govardhan Puja?
Krishna's victory over Indra's ego represents the triumph of devotion and community welfare over blind ritual and fear. The festival also celebrates the cow, nature, and the earth as providers of sustenance.
Q.What are the rituals of Govardhan Puja?
Create Govardhan hill with cow dung, decorate with flowers and diyas. Perform Govardhan Puja with 56-item food offering (Chhappan Bhog). Perform Govardhan Parikrama (circumambulation). Worship cows (Gau Puja). In temples, display Annakut — enormous mountain of cooked food offered to the deity.
Q.What foods are made during Govardhan Puja?
Chhappan Bhog (56 food items), Khichdi, Puri, Halwa, Ladoo, Rice dishes, Dal