Hindu festival
Govardhan Puja
Also known as Annakut, Bali Pratipada.
Why is Govardhan Puja celebrated?
In short
Govardhan Puja celebrates the day the young Krishna lifted Govardhan hill on one finger to shelter the people of Braj from a punishing storm sent by Indra. It honours his lesson that sincere devotion and care for the land matter more than fearful ritual or pride, and it falls the day after Diwali.
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Govardhan Puja at a glance
- Govardhan Puja 2026
- Monday, 9 November 2026in 60 days
- Tithi / rule
- Pratipada (1st tithi) of the Shukla Paksha in Kartik, the day after Diwali
- Calendar
- Lunar calendar (tithi-based)
- Deity
- Krishna
- Significance
- Devotion over ritual pride; nature and the divine deserve gratitude, not fear.
- Region
- Most widely observed across North India, especially the Braj region around Mathura and Vrindavan, and in Gujarat.
Because the Kartik Amavasya can span two days, Govardhan Puja is observed on the Pratipada that follows; a mountain of food (annakut) is offered to Krishna.
The story of Govardhan Puja
In the cowherd land of Braj, the people had long prepared a great yearly offering to Indra, lord of rain and storm, hoping he would send the clouds that fed their fields and cattle. One autumn the young Krishna gently questioned this. As told in the Bhagavata Purana (Canto 10, chapters 24 and 25), he reminded the villagers that their true livelihood came from the forests, the cows, and Govardhan hill itself, whose grasses and streams sustained the herds. Let the offering, he said, go to Govardhan and to the cows and brahmins who bless the land.
The people agreed, and the food and worship meant for Indra were joyfully carried to the hill instead. Krishna even took a radiant form upon Govardhan to receive their love. But Indra, his pride wounded, grew furious. Believing a mere cowherd boy had turned his devotees away, he summoned the clouds of universal dissolution and unleashed a storm meant to drown all of Braj. Rain fell in ropes, wind tore the trees, and the terrified people, their cattle and children, ran to Krishna for shelter.
How is Govardhan Puja celebrated?
Devotees build a small model of Govardhan hill from cow dung or earth, decorate it with flowers and lamps, and walk around it in worship. The central offering is Annakut, a mountain of vegetarian food presented to Krishna in gratitude and later shared as prasad. Cows and oxen are bathed, adorned, and honoured, and temples across Braj hold grand Annakut displays and community feasts.
Characters in the story
A mantra to mark the day
ॐ कृष्णाय नमः
oṃ kṛṣṇāya namaḥ
I bow to Krishna, beloved of all hearts.
More Hindu festivals
About Govardhan Puja
Why is Govardhan Puja celebrated?
Govardhan Puja is celebrated to remember the day Krishna lifted Govardhan hill on one finger to shelter the people of Braj from a devastating storm sent by Indra. It honours his teaching that gratitude for nature and sincere devotion matter more than fearful ritual or pride, and it falls the day after Diwali.
What is the story of Govardhan Puja?
When Krishna urged the people of Braj to honour Govardhan hill and the cows instead of the rain-god Indra, Indra sent a furious storm to drown their land. Krishna lifted the entire hill and held it aloft on his little finger for seven days, sheltering everyone beneath it until Indra bowed in humility.
How is Govardhan Puja celebrated?
Families build a small hill of cow dung or earth to represent Govardhan, decorate it with flowers, and circle it in worship. Many prepare Annakut, a mountain of vegetarian food offered to Krishna and later shared. Temples in Braj and beyond display grand food offerings, and cows are honoured, bathed, and adorned.
Who is worshipped on Govardhan Puja?
Krishna is worshipped on Govardhan Puja, especially in his form as Govardhandhari, the lifter of the hill, and as Govinda, protector of cows and the land. Govardhan hill itself is revered as a form of the Divine, and cows, central to Krishna's life in Braj, are honoured with special care.
When is Govardhan Puja 2026?
In 2026, Govardhan Puja falls on 10 November. It is always observed on Pratipada, the first day of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of the month of Kartik, which is the day immediately after Diwali. Because it follows the lunar calendar, the date shifts slightly each year.
What is Annakut and how is it linked to Govardhan Puja?
Annakut means mountain of food. On Govardhan Puja, devotees prepare a large spread of vegetarian dishes, sweets, and grains, arranged like a hill before Krishna in gratitude for nature's abundance. It recalls the offering the people of Braj gave to Govardhan hill instead of to Indra, and is later shared with all.
What does the Govardhan story teach?
The Govardhan story teaches that the Divine responds to honest love and gratitude, not to ritual performed out of fear or vanity. Krishna redirected worship toward the hill, cows, and forests that truly sustained the people, and by lifting Govardhan he showed that God shelters those who trust him and place care for the earth above pride.
Why did Krishna lift Govardhan hill?
Krishna lifted Govardhan hill to protect the people, cows, and children of Braj from a punishing storm that Indra unleashed in anger after they honoured the hill instead of him. Holding it aloft on one finger for seven days, Krishna sheltered everyone beneath it and, in doing so, humbled Indra's pride.
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