Loving worship of Shri Krishna, often as Laddu Gopal or with Radha, most celebrated on Janmashtami with midnight abhishek and aarti.
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Lord Krishna as Giridhari
Govardhan Puja
Worship of Lord Krishna and Govardhan Parvat on the day after Diwali, with a hill of cow dung or food and the Annakut offering of many dishes.
In-person Online available1 to 2 hoursAlso: Annakut PujaAlso: Govardhan Pujan
Overview
What is Govardhan Puja?
Govardhan Puja is celebrated on Kartik Shukla Pratipada, the day after Diwali. It remembers Lord Krishna lifting Govardhan Parvat on his little finger to shelter the people and cattle of Vraj from the rains sent by Indra.
Families make a small Govardhan of cow dung or clay in the courtyard, decorate it with flowers, and worship it with Krishna. In temples and many homes, an Annakut, literally a mountain of food, is prepared with a great variety of dishes and offered to the Lord before being shared as prasad.
A Pandit can lead the Govardhan puja and parikrama at home, guide the Annakut offering, and perform the worship of cows, which is closely connected with the day.
वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ।
निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा॥
Vakratuṇḍa mahākāya sūryakoṭi samaprabha, nirvighnaṁ kuru me deva sarvakāryeṣu sarvadā.
Significance
The story of Govardhan is remembered as Krishna's lesson in gratitude to nature and the land that sustains life, and his protection of those who take refuge in him.
The Annakut offering expresses thanks for the harvest and for food, and the worship of cows reflects their place in the life of Vraj.
Who performs it
- Families celebrating Diwali who keep the Govardhan tradition
- Krishna devotees and families from Vraj, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan
- Temples, societies and business families preparing an Annakut
When to perform
- Kartik Shukla Pratipada, the day after Diwali
- Muhurat as per the Panchang for your city
Traditionally associated with
- Traditionally performed in gratitude for food, harvest and prosperity
- Devotees associate the worship with Krishna's protection of the family
- Brings the family together after Diwali for a shared offering
These are traditional beliefs associated with the ritual. Pujas are acts of devotion and are not a substitute for medical, financial or professional advice.
How the puja is performed
- 1
Making the Govardhan
A small hill is shaped from cow dung or clay and decorated with flowers, with a figure of Krishna placed at its centre.
- 2
Sankalp and puja
The Pandit takes the sankalp and leads the worship of Govardhan and Krishna with water, roli, akshat, flowers and diyas.
- 3
Annakut and parikrama
The Annakut dishes are offered, and the family performs parikrama of the Govardhan while singing bhajans.
- 4
Go puja and aarti
Where possible, cows are worshipped and fed. The puja ends with aarti and distribution of prasad.
The exact vidhi varies by region and family tradition, your Pandit will follow your customs.
Samagri (puja materials)
- Cow dung or clay for the Govardhan
- Image or idol of Krishna
- Flowers, tulsi leaves and garlands
- Roli, akshat and haldi
- Ghee diyas and incense
- Dishes for the Annakut
- Milk, curd and sweets
Samagri can be arranged on request. We'll share a list suited to your vidhi before the day.
What's included
Usually included
- Experienced Pandit for the Govardhan puja
- Sankalp, puja, parikrama and aarti
- Guidance on the Annakut offering
Not included
- Samagri and Annakut dishes, unless arranged on request
- Travel beyond the service area
- Dakshina customs, which vary by family and are discussed openly
Duration: 1 to 2 hours. Inclusions are confirmed for your booking on WhatsApp.
In-person puja
A Pandit performs the ritual at your home, office or chosen venue in Varanasi or Hyderabad. We help with muhurat, samagri and preparation.
Online puja
- · Share your name, gotra and city on WhatsApp
- · Join the puja live on a video call
- · Keep a small Govardhan or an image of Krishna, diyas and a food offering ready
Available in
More cities are coming soon.
Govardhan Puja across regions
The same ritual goes by different names in different traditions. Whichever name your family uses, we can help.
- Govardhan Pooja
- Spelling variant
- Annakut Pujan
- Hindi
- Annakut Mahotsav
- Gujarati
- Gowardhan Puja
- Spelling variant
- Govardhan Parikrama Puja
- Hindi
- Padwa Govardhan Puja
- Marathi
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Govardhan Puja FAQs
What is Annakut?
Annakut means a mountain of food. Many dishes are prepared and offered to Krishna on Govardhan Puja, then shared as prasad with family and guests.
Can we do Govardhan Puja in a flat without cow dung?
Yes. Many families shape the Govardhan from clay or arrange the offering around an image of Krishna. The Pandit will guide you.
Can a Pandit come for a temple or society Annakut?
Yes. Share the venue and the number of people and we will arrange a Pandit for the puja.
Related
Rituals often explored alongside Govardhan Puja
Worship of Goddess Lakshmi, associated with prosperity and auspiciousness, most widely performed on Diwali evening and on Fridays.
DetailsWorship of Lord Vishnu, the preserver, often with Vishnu Sahasranama path, commonly performed on Ekadashi, Thursdays and Purnima.
DetailsA beloved household puja to Lord Vishnu as Satyanarayan, with the five-chapter Satyanarayan Katha, commonly held on Purnima or after a happy milestone.
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