Govardhan Puja, also known as Annakut, is one of the most significant Hindu festivals celebrated the day after Diwali. In 2025, this auspicious occasion will be observed on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. The festival honors Lord Krishna’s divine protection of the villagers of Vrindavan and symbolizes humanity’s deep connection with nature, gratitude for abundance, and devotion to the divine.
When is Govardhan Puja 2025?
According to the Hindu Panchang (lunar calendar), Govardhan Puja falls on Kartik Shukla Pratipada Tithi (the first day of the waxing moon in the month of Kartik).
Important Timings for 2025:
Date: Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Pratipada Tithi Begins: October 21, 2025, at 5:54 PM
Pratipada Tithi Ends: October 22, 2025, at 8:16 PM
Morning Puja Muhurat: 6:26 AM to 8:42 AM (Duration: 1 hour 16 minutes)
Evening Puja Muhurat: 3:29 PM to 5:44 PM (Duration: 2 hours 16 minutes)
Since the Pratipada Tithi prevails during sunrise on October 22, the puja will be performed on this day following the Udayatithi principle (the tithi that prevails at sunrise is considered auspicious for religious observances).
Why is Govardhan Puja Celebrated? The Divine Story
The festival commemorates a powerful episode from Hindu mythology documented in the Bhagavata Purana and Vishnu Purana. The story teaches profound lessons about devotion, humility, gratitude toward nature, and the protection that divine grace offers to devotees.
The Legend:
In ancient times, the residents of Vrindavan (Gokul) would annually worship Lord Indra, the king of heaven and god of rain, believing he provided rainfall essential for their crops and livelihood. However, young Krishna questioned this practice. He explained to the villagers that it was Govardhan Hill, not Indra, that truly sustained them by providing grazing grounds for cattle, fresh water, and natural resources.
Krishna convinced the villagers to redirect their worship from Indra to Govardhan Hill, emphasizing gratitude for what directly nourished them. The villagers agreed and offered prayers and food to the sacred hill instead.
Indra’s Wrath:
Enraged by this defiance and his wounded pride, Lord Indra decided to punish the villagers. He summoned the Samavartaka clouds (clouds of destruction) and unleashed torrential rains and fierce storms upon Vrindavan for seven continuous days and nights. The deluge threatened to wash away homes, livestock, and lives.
Krishna’s Divine Protection:
The terrified villagers rushed to Krishna for help. With divine calmness, the young Krishna performed a miraculous feat that would be remembered through millennia—he lifted the entire Govardhan Hill on his little finger, holding it effortlessly like an umbrella. All the villagers, along with their cattle and belongings, took shelter beneath the hill.
For seven days, they remained protected from the storm without experiencing hunger, thirst, or fear. The sight of the massive mountain balanced perfectly on Krishna’s little finger filled them with awe and deepened their faith in his divinity.
Indra’s Realization:
Witnessing that his fury was powerless against Krishna’s protection, Lord Indra realized his folly and understood that Krishna was no ordinary child but the Supreme Personality of Godhead himself. Humbled and ashamed of his arrogance, Indra stopped the rains and approached Krishna with folded hands, seeking forgiveness. Krishna graciously forgave him and reminded him of his true responsibilities as a celestial being.
Since that day, Govardhan Puja has been celebrated annually to honor this divine act and express gratitude to Govardhan Hill, nature, cattle, and Lord Krishna for his protection.
Significance and Spiritual Meaning
Govardhan Puja carries profound spiritual and ecological significance that remains relevant today:
Gratitude Toward Nature: The festival emphasizes that we should be grateful for and protect the natural resources that sustain us—mountains, forests, water, and land.
Importance of Cattle: Cows and bulls, essential to agriculture and rural livelihoods, are honored as sacred beings that selflessly serve humanity.
Humility Over Pride: The story demonstrates how pride (exemplified by Indra) is defeated by humility and devotion.
Divine Protection: It reassures devotees that sincere faith and devotion bring divine protection during life’s storms.
Abundance and Sharing: The tradition of Annakut (mountain of food) teaches the values of abundance, community sharing, and generosity.
How to Perform Govardhan Puja at Home: Step-by-Step Rituals
Performing Govardhan Puja with devotion at home is a beautiful way to connect with this ancient tradition. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the rituals:
Puja Samagri (Required Items)
For Creating Govardhan Hill:
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Fresh cow dung (to create the symbolic hill)
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Clay or mud (alternative to cow dung)
Decoration Items:
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Fresh flowers (marigold, lotus, tulsi)
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Rangoli colors
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Earthen lamps (diyas)
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Incense sticks (dhoop-batti)
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Leaves and small plants
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Miniature figurines of cows, Krishna, and villagers (optional)
Worship Materials:
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Idol or picture of Lord Krishna
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Picture of Govardhan Hill
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Roli (vermillion), haldi (turmeric), kumkum
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Akshat (unbroken rice grains)
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Kalash (sacred water pot) with Ganga water
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Milk, curd, honey, ghee, sugar (for panchamrit)
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Betel leaves and nuts
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Garlands
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Bells and conch shell
Food Offerings (Annakut Prasad):
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Various sweets: kheer, laddu, halwa, peda, jalebi
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Savory items: puris, pakoras, kachoris
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Rice preparations: pulao, sweet rice, curd rice
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Vegetables and curries
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Fruits and dry fruits
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Milk products: butter (makhan), mishri
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Sugar drops (batashe)
Step-by-Step Puja Vidhi (Procedure)
Step 1: Purification and Preparation (Early Morning)
Begin your day with a ritual bath and wear clean, preferably new clothes. Clean the puja area or courtyard thoroughly and sprinkle holy water (Ganga jal) to purify the space.
Step 2: Creating the Govardhan Hill
Using fresh cow dung or clay, create a small mound or hillock symbolizing Govardhan Mountain. Some devotees shape it as a reclining human figure representing Giriraj (the King of Mountains). Place a small bowl or earthen lamp at the navel position of the figure.
Step 3: Decoration
Decorate the hill elaborately with fresh flowers, colored powders, rangoli designs, and green leaves. Place small figurines of cows, peacocks, and Krishna around the hill to recreate the pastoral scene of Vrindavan. Insert small sticks or plants to represent trees.
Step 4: Installation and Invocation
Place an idol or picture of Lord Krishna near the Govardhan hill. Set up the kalash filled with water, topped with mango leaves and a coconut. Light the ghee or oil lamp (diya) and incense sticks.
Step 5: Main Worship
Offer roli, akshat (rice), flowers, and garlands to Lord Krishna and the Govardhan hill. Prepare panchamrit (mixture of milk, curd, ghee, honey, and sugar) and offer it in the bowl placed at the hill’s navel. Sprinkle Ganga water on the hill and Krishna’s idol.
Step 6: Annakut Bhog (Food Offering)
Arrange the elaborate food offerings in front of the Govardhan hill, creating a “mountain of food”. Traditionally, 56 dishes (Chappan Bhog) are prepared, representing eight meals per day for the seven days Krishna held the mountain. However, devotees can offer whatever they can prepare with devotion.
The traditional categories include:
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Grains and rice dishes
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Breads (puris, rotis)
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Vegetables and curries
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Sweets and desserts
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Fruits and nuts
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Milk-based items
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Beverages (buttermilk, sherbet)
Step 7: Chanting and Prayers
Chant Krishna mantras such as:
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“Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya”
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“Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare / Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare” (Maha Mantra)
Recite the Govardhan Puja Katha (story of Krishna lifting the mountain).
Step 8: Parikrama (Circumambulation)
Perform seven circumambulations (parikramas) of the Govardhan hill while chanting “Radhe Radhe” or “Govardhan Maharaj Ki Jai”.
During parikrama, one person carries a pot of water (lota) and pours it continuously while walking, while another person scatters barley or rice grains (kheel). This symbolizes fertility and abundance.
Step 9: Aarti and Conclusion
Perform the aarti with the lit lamps, ringing bells and singing devotional songs (bhajans). Seek forgiveness for any mistakes in the puja and pray for Krishna’s blessings for prosperity, happiness, and protection.
Step 10: Prasad Distribution
After the puja, the blessed food becomes prasad (divine offering). Distribute it among family members, neighbors, and the community, embodying the spirit of sharing and gratitude.
Worship of Cows (Gau Puja) on Govardhan Puja
A special feature of Govardhan Puja is the reverence and worship of cows, which hold a sacred place in Hindu culture as “Gau Mata” (Mother Cow).
Why Cows Are Worshipped:
Lord Krishna is known as “Govinda” (finder of cows) and “Gopala” (protector of cows). He spent his childhood as a cowherd, and his deep love for cattle is central to his identity.
Cows provide milk, butter, ghee, and even cow dung (used as fuel and fertilizer), making them essential to agricultural communities. Symbolically, they represent selfless giving, purity, and the nurturing qualities of motherhood.
Cow Worship Rituals:
Morning Bath: Cows are bathed with clean water and sometimes milk.
Decoration: They are adorned with colorful paints, flower garlands, bells, ornaments, and new cloth coverings. Their horns are often painted with vibrant colors, and sacred marks (tilak) are applied on their foreheads.
Offerings: Cows are fed special treats including jaggery, wheat, rice, lentils, fresh grass, fruits, and sweets.
Aarti and Blessings: Devotees perform aarti for the cows, sing devotional songs, and seek their blessings by touching their feet.
Parikrama: Some devotees perform circumambulation around decorated cows as an act of reverence.
Gau Daan: Donating cows or contributing to cow shelters (gaushalas) is considered highly meritorious.
The Tradition of 56 Bhog (Chappan Bhog)
One of the most distinctive aspects of Govardhan Puja is the offering of 56 different food items to Lord Krishna, known as Chappan Bhog.
Why 56 Dishes?
After protecting the villagers for seven days without eating or resting, Krishna’s mother Yashoda mentioned that Krishna normally ate eight times a day. To compensate for the meals he missed, the grateful residents of Gokul prepared 8 meals × 7 days = 56 dishes and offered them all at once to show their love and gratitude.
Common Items in Chappan Bhog:
The 56 items typically include: kheer, rabri, rasgulla, moong dal halwa, mishri, jeera laddu, jalebi, mohanbhog, ghevar, peda, almonds, cashews, cardamom, panchamrit, pistachios, shakkarpare, mangoes, mathri, murabba, chutney, various fruits, kadhi, pakoras, saag, rice varieties, yogurt, papad, cheela, khichdi, vegetable curries, tikki, puri, milk preparations, sweet rice, bhujia, fennel, betel leaf and nut, sherbets, buttermilk, rotis, ghee, coconut water, honey, porridge, white butter, kachori, and fresh cream.
Govardhan Parikrama: The Sacred Circumambulation
The Govardhan Parikrama is a cherished spiritual practice where devotees walk barefoot around the sacred Govardhan Hill. This 21-kilometer (approximately 13 miles) journey is performed with chants of “Radhe Radhe” and deep devotion.
Significance:
With every step, devotees express gratitude to Krishna for his protection and seek his guidance and blessings. The parikrama is not a race but a meditative walk filled with spiritual contemplation. The route passes through numerous temples, sacred ponds (kunds), and shrines associated with Krishna’s pastimes.
Modern Observance and Adaptation
In contemporary times, especially in urban settings, families often adapt the tradition to suit modern lifestyles while maintaining the spiritual essence. Instead of preparing 56 elaborate dishes, many create a smaller, balanced sattvic thali (pure vegetarian meal) with quality ingredients prepared with devotion and purity.
The emphasis remains on gratitude through food, devotion to Krishna, respect for nature, and community sharing—values that transcend time and geography.
Govardhan Puja 2025, celebrated on October 22, is much more than a religious ritual—it is a profound celebration of the relationship between humanity and nature, a reminder of the power of devotion, and an expression of gratitude for life’s abundance. The festival teaches us to honor the natural resources that sustain us, to care for animals that serve us selflessly, and to trust in divine protection during life’s challenges.
Whether performed with elaborate 56-dish offerings or simple home rituals, Govardhan Puja invites us to reflect on our interconnectedness with all creation and to live with humility, gratitude, and devotion. As devotees worship the symbolic Govardhan Hill made of cow dung, perform parikramas, and share prasad with their communities, they participate in a tradition that has nourished the spiritual life of millions for millennia—a tradition that continues to inspire faith, unity, and reverence for the divine in everyday life.
