Importance and Benefits of Govardhan Pooja. Annakut Puja Date & Procedure.

Annakut, Govardhan, or Godhan Puja is observed on the first Shukla Paksha of Kartika month. The festival is associated with the legendary story of Lord Krishna who lifts the Govardhan Hill to protect the residents of Vrindavan. 

The devotees on this auspicious day, prepare vegetarian foods and offer it to Lord Krishna. It is called the ‘Annakut’ ceremony. Also, Govardhan Giri and cows are worshiped as a symbol of devotion and spirituality towards Lord Krishna.  

Importance of Govardhan Puja:

The Bhagavad Purana depicts that Lord Krishna raised the Govardhan Giri to save the lives of the innocent villagers of Vrindavan from the relentless rains caused by the anguish of Lord Indra. The Govardhan Puja celebrates the act of thanksgiving to Lord Krishna. 

The Puja symbolizes taking refuge in the name of Lord Krishna and how He helps His devotees in times of deep crisis. Also, the Krishna Leela Govardhan Puja is a warning sign that humans need to respect mother nature and its fury. 

On this favorable day, devotees decorate a mountain of food that represents the Govardhan Hill and worship it. There are certain ways of celebrating the Puja across India. In some places, devotees build hillocks made of cow dung. It is decorated with flowers and worshiped. 

The story behind Govardhan Puja:

Govardhan Puja story begins with the residents of Vrindavan worshiping Lord Indra. A young Lord Krishna wanted to know from Yashoda, his mother why the villagers worshiped Lord Indra. In reply, Yashoda explained that Lord Indra showers rain for the crops for feeding cows.

Lord Krishna urged that people should worship Govardhan Hill because it provides the cows with grass. Furthermore, Lord Krishna encouraged His father, Nanda Maharaj, and the people to worship Govardhan Hill instead of Lord Indra.

Lord Krishna made it clear that it was Mother Nature that showers rains and everybody is benefited. Mother Nature creates, nourishes, and destroys everything. And, Lord Indra is not responsible. After that, the villagers stopped the rituals made to Lord Indra. 

When the heavenly king realized that the honor has ceased, He got furious and brought heavy rains. It made the villagers threatened and fearful. The cry for help and the unfortunate situation of the villagers made Lord Krishna hold the Govardhan Hill with his tiny finger.

The Hill acted as a shelter against the heavy rains. Lord Krishna stood there for seven days. Finally, Lord Indra realized His arrogancy and apologized for His mistake. 

Govardhan Puja date 

The auspicious Govardhan Puja is commenced on the 1st day of Shukla Paksha of Kartika month. It is further deduced in the way given below. 

• Govardhan Puja needs to be performed on the 1st day of the Hindu lunar month of Kartika or very next day of Diwali. But according to the sacred texts, the moon should not appear within the specific period of the Puja Subha Muhurat 
• If there is a probability that the moon may rise, Govardhan puja ka time shifts to the following day.
• Govardhan puja can be performed daily in Mathura. But it's very special on  Margashirsha, Vishakha, Kartika months. 

Govardhan Puja Ingredients (Samagri):

• Mud or cow dung
• Sugarcane sticks
• Curd, raw milk, peda, laddoo, and batasha
• Chandan, akshata, turmeric, and Kumkum 
• Incense sticks
• A silver coin 
• Ghee in little quantity and earthen lamp

Govardhan Puja procedure:

There is no question that Govardhan Puja is well appreciated in the life of people residing in India, and even overseas. There is a tradition of worshiping Lord Agni, Indra, and Varuna on this specific day. Lord Sri Krishna, Godhan Cow, and Govardhan Hill hold utmost importance on this day. 

The festival sends people a message that humans are dependent on the basic resources and elements of nature. Therefore, humans need to respect and thank Mother Nature. Through Govardhan Puja, people can express their gratitude towards natural resources. Here is how the Puja is performed.

• A stack of cow dung that resembles the Govardhan Parvath, is made and beautifully decorated with lots of flowers. In general, Govardhan Puja is performed either in the evening or morning. Devotees offer incense sticks, fruits, water, and the oblation to Govardhan. On this special day, animals used for an agricultural purpose like a bull, cow, etc. are worshiped, too
• The Govardhan Hill is worshiped as a God on this day. An effigy is crafted from cow dung representing the mountain and kept on the ground. Furthermore, a clay lamp along with different kinds of oblations are placed on it. During the Puja, curd, honey, milk, batasha (crystalized sugar), and Gangajal is put into the clay lamp
•  After the puja is over, devotees set prayers for Govardhan while surrounding the effigy. Water is spilled from a vessel and the prayers are completed by sowing barley in that area
• People tend to worship Govardhan Hill in the form of God. They believe that worshiping the deity helps them strengthen their financial condition, keep their children in good health, and improve the cow milk
• Devotees offer prayers to Lord Biswakarma on this special day. Pujas and offerings are performed for types of machinery in factories and industries
• Also, Annakut is prepared on this auspicious day. It is made by combining cereals and offered to Lord Sri Krishna Idol

Benefits of performing the Govardhan Puja: 

• The blessing of Lord Krishna prevails on you eternally
• Good fortune and great luck will be on your side
• The Puja helps you to face different kinds of life struggles and achieve success 
• You can gain salvation or Moksha by performing the Puja

If you are thinking about worshiping Lord Krishna on Govardhan Puja, you can book pandits online at Puja N Pujari. Rest assured, we make your puja experience a memorable event in the days to come. 

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