Govardhan Puja is a Hindu festival celebrated on the first lunar day of the bright fortnight of the month of Kartika, which typically falls in the month of October or November. It is a celebration of the divinity of nature, and it commemorates the incident in the Bhagavata Purana when Lord Krishna lifted Govardhan Hill to protect the villagers of Vrindavan from torrential rains.
On the day of Govardhan Puja, people worship Govardhan Hill and prepare and offer a large variety of vegetarian food to Krishna as a mark of gratitude. They also build and decorate cow dung “mountains” (giriraj) and offer them to Krishna. The festival is a time for families and communities to come together and celebrate the beauty and bounty of nature.
Govardhan Puja is a significant festival for Vaishnavas, who believe that Krishna is the supreme deity. However, it is also celebrated by Hindus of all denominations, as it is a festival that promotes universal values such as gratitude, environmentalism, and community spirit.
Here are some of the key features of Govardhan Puja:
- Worship of Govardhan Hill: Govardhan Hill is considered to be a sacred hill, and it is worshipped as a manifestation of Krishna. On the day of Govardhan Puja, people circumambulate the hill and offer prayers and food to it.
- Preparation and offering of food: Govardhan Puja is a time for feasting, and people prepare a wide variety of vegetarian food to offer to Krishna. The food offerings typically include grains, vegetables, fruits, and sweets.
- Building and decorating cow dung “mountains”: People build and decorate cow dung “mountains” (giriraj) on the day of Govardhan Puja. The cow dung mountains are meant to represent Govardhan Hill, and they are decorated with flowers, leaves, and other natural materials.
- Coming together of families and communities: Govardhan Puja is a time for families and communities to come together and celebrate. People often visit their relatives and friends on this day, and they enjoy delicious food and festivities together.
Govardhan Puja is a beautiful and inspiring festival that celebrates the divinity of nature and the importance of community. It is a time to reflect on the blessings that we have received and to express our gratitude for the abundance that surrounds us.
