The festival of Govardhan Puja is observed the next day of Deepawali. This year Govardhan Puja is on Monday, November 13, 2023. Govardhan puja is performed on the first day of Shukla Paksha i.e. Pratipada in the month of Kartik.
In many places, this festival is also celebrated as Annakoot. Lord Krishna is worshipped on the day of Govardhan Puja and Govardhan Devis are worshipped by making them from cow dung.
Then they are offered ‘Annakoot’ to please the deity Giriraj Bhagwan of Braj, the mountain. On this day, 56 or 108 types of dishes are prepared and consumed by Sri Krishna. These dishes are called ‘Anankut’ (Annakoot or Annakut). You can easily make Annakoot vegetables at home and offer them to Lord Krishna.
Govardhan Puja History
There is a very old story of this worship, it is said that once Lord Krishna asked the Gokul residents to worship Govardhan instead of worshiping Indradev. Earlier, the people of Gokul used to worship Indradev as their favorite idol.
Lord Krishna told the Gokul residents that it is because of the Govardhan mountain that their animals get fodder to eat. It is only because of the Govardhan mountain that it rains in Gokul. Therefore, instead of Indradev, the Govardhan Parvat should be worshipped.
When Indradev came to know about this about Shri Krishna, he got very angry and started raining heavily in Brij. Then Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhan Mountain on his little finger to protect the people of Brij and saved the people of Brij from the wrath of Indra. Then the people of Brij had offered 56 bhog to Shri Krishna. Pleased with this, Shri Krishna had promised to always protect the people of Gokul.
Govardhan Puja Vidhi
On the day of Govardhan Puja, the idols of Gods are made from dung. In addition, people decorate and worship their livestock. It is also considered to be a festival of love and respect established between nature and human beings.
Farmers and cattle herders make preparations, especially for the puja on this day. Gods are made from cow dung in the courtyard or field of the house. And they are also showered with offerings.
The puja method is almost similar to other pujas in which in the morning, people take a bath and wear new clothes, making a statue of God and offering bhog on it. Apart from Govardhan Dev, Lord Krishna is also worshipped by bathing him with milk.
Govardhan Puja 2023 Shubh Muhurata & Mantra
November 13, 2023, Monday: 6:14 a.m. to 8.35 a.m.
The auspicious mantra for Govardhan puja is :
“Govardhan Dharadhar Gokul Trankar
Vishnubahu Kritocharai Gavan Kotiprabhu Bhava”
Govardhan Puja Arti
Shri Govardhan Maharaj, O Maharaj,
Tere maathe mukut viraj raheyo!
Tope paan Chadhe tope fool Chadhe,
Tope chadhe doodh ki dhaar!
Tere maathe mukut viraj raheyo!
Teri saat kos ki parikamma,
Aur chakleshwar vishram
Tere maathe mukut viraaj raheyo!
Tere gale me Kantha saaj raheyo,
Thhodi pe Heera laal!
Tere maathe mukut viraj raheyo!
Tere kaan kundal chamak raheyo,
Teri jhaki bani vishal!
Tere maathe mukut viraj raheyo!
Giriraj dharan prabhu teri sharan!
Karo bhakt ka beda paar!!
