Govardhan puja time, date, all schedule you need to know

Govardhan Puja is an important event celebrated on the fourth day of the five day long Diwali festival. In 2019, Govardhan Puja falls on Monday, October 28. The line of events during the Diwali festival include Dhanteras, Chhoti Diwali, Diwali, Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj starting from Friday, October 25, 2019 and concluding on Tuesday, October 29, 2019.

Govardhan Puja timing

Govardhan Puja Muhurat on Monday, October 28, 2019 is from 3:36 pm to 5:51 pm with a duration of 2 hours 14 minutes.

Origin of Govardhan Puja

Govardhan Puja has its roots in the age of Dwapar during Krishnavatar. When little Krishna grew up in the village of Gokul, he initiated Govardhan Puja in order to pay tribute to the Govardhan hill, the small hillock of the village that provided nourishment to the cows of the village and some essentials for the village households.

Govardhan Puja story

During those days, the people in the village of Gokul performed elaborate pujas to please Indra, the king of gods. Krishna advised the villagers to worship the Govardhan hill instead of Indra as the hill was highly supporting their lives and provided nourishment to the cows. Seeing the villagers neglect him and worship the Govardhan hill, Indra got angry and showered torrential rains on the village of Gokul.

Krishna saves the village

The village folks and cattle could not bear the torrential downfall. In order to save them, Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhan hill and held it like an umbrella over all of them for a period of seven days. Indra realized he will never be able to win Krishna who was verily the avatar of Lord Vishnu finally got humbled and spared the village.

Annakoot puja

The villagers prepared elaborate foods consisting of about 56 items called as Chappan Bhog and offered to little Krishna who neither ate nor slept over the seven days while holding the hill to protect the villagers and cattle. This event gave rise to the ritual known as Annakoot puja which is performed on the day of Govardhan puja. People prepare a lot of dishes and worship Krishna on this day.

Govardhan Puja procedure

Perform Govardhan puja during the right Muhurat given above.

Clean the household and install a picture of Govardhan hill. You can also make the image of Govardhan hill in clay or cow dung.

Offer sugarcane, peda, badasha and others to the Govardhan hill to start the puja.

Light the lamp and offer roli and tilak. Leave a silver coin in the plate. Let someone in the household read the story of Ma Lakshmi. Others must listen to the story with rapt attention.

At the end of the story reading, the silver coin must be offered along with sweets and fruits to the person who read the story.

Prayers are offered to the Govardhan hill and the offering done to Lord Krishna during the puja consists of 56 varieties of dishes specially prepared for the puja. To conclude the puja, say your prayers and do namaskar in front of the altar. Share the Prasad with the family members and invitees.