WHAT IS GOVARDHAN PUJA?
Govardhan Pooja/Puja (Saturday, November 2, 2024 )
is one of the many
Hindu festivals of India
. This unique festival is also called Annakut or Annakoot. It is celebrated in different parts of India, in various ways. Out of that, the Braj Bhumi area (in Uttar Pradesh, India), which includes Mathura, Vrindavan, Nandgaon, Gokul, and Barsana, celebrate Govardhan Pooja with fervour as all these places are connected to
Lord Krishna
. This is the day of thanksgiving to Lord Krishna, the Govardhan Hill and Godhan (Cow). The devotees, especially the Vaishnava sect, prepare and offer a large variety of delicious vegetarian food to Govardhan Hill, a representation of the divinity of Lord Krishna as a sign of thanksgiving.
So, on the day of Govardhan Pooja, Lord Krishna and nature are worshipped and it is said that those who worship the Govardhan Hill (Giri) and Lord Krishna's favourite, Cows, on this day, get the blessings of Lord Krishna.
In the state of Maharashtra this day is celebrated as Bali Pratipada or Bali Padva, which has the story of Lord Vishnu's Vamana avatar and King Bali. The day of Shri Krishna Govardhan puja also coincides with Gujarati New Year.
Govardhan Pooja is celebrated on the first day of Shukla Paksha in the Hindu month of Kartik (October-November). Generally Govardhan Pooja falls on the next day after
Diwali
and is celebrated as to commemorate the day when Lord Krishna chastised Lord Indra, the King of Heaven.
WHY DO WE CELEBRATE GOVARDHAN PUJA? SIGNIFICANCE OF GOVARDHAN PUJA
Since Diwali is a 5 days celebration, Krishna Govardhan Puja falls on the 4th day of Diwali. The initial days of Diwali are spent by devotees invoking the divine to bless with wealth, prosperity and abundance, the day of Diwali Govardhan puja allows devotees to offer gratitude.
The Bhagavata Purana narrates that Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhan Hill to save the villagers of Vrindavan from the torrential rains showered by Lord Indra. The Govardhan Hill served as a shelter for all the residents of Vrindavan. Lord Krishna is also called Giridhari because of this incidence of Him lifting the Govardhan Hill, which is known as Giriraj (King of Hills). The incident indicates how the Lord protects all of His devotees who surrender and take singular refuge in Him, which is an important sign of Govardhan Puja. It is believed that Govardhan Puja is celebrated when the incidence of Lord Krishna lifts the Govardhan Hill took place. The festival is observed predominantly by the Vallabh Community (Pushtimarg), the Gaudiya Sampradaya of Chaitanya, and the Swaminarayan community.
Govardhan Puja Date 2024: What is the time of Govardhan Puja?
Govardhan Puja on Saturday, November 2, 2024
Govardhan Puja Pratahkala Muhurat - 06:34 AM to 08:46 AM
Duration - 02 Hours 12 Mins
Dyuta Krida on Saturday, November 2, 2024
Govardhan Puja Sayankala Muhurat - 03:23 PM to 05:35 PM
Duration - 02 Hours 12 Mins
Pratipada Tithi Begins - 06:16 PM on Nov 01, 2024
Pratipada Tithi Ends - 08:21 PM on Nov 02, 2024
Condition of Diwali Govardhan Puja Muhurat - As per ancient Hindu texts, if the Moon rises or Moon is seen in the sky, during the stipulated Govardhan Puja Shubh Muhurat time span, then the Govardhan Pooja will have to be performed on the next day.
Govardhan Puja Mantra in Sanskrit that can be chanted throughout the auspicious day is:
‘Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya’
Hare Krishna mantra is a popular mantra which is chanted throughout the day on Krishna Govardhan puja.