गोवर्धन पूजा
Govardhan Puja
The day after Diwali, celebrating Krishna lifting Govardhan hill, with Annakut, a mountain of food offerings.
About Govardhan Puja
Govardhan Puja falls on Kartika Shukla Pratipada. It remembers Lord Krishna lifting Govardhan hill on his little finger to shelter the people of Braj from Indra's storms.
Families build a small Govardhan from cow dung or clay and offer Annakut, dozens of dishes stacked like a mountain. In Gujarat and parts of the west the same day is the start of the new year.
How to celebrate
Make a Govardhan hill shape from cow dung or clay in the courtyard.
Decorate it with flowers and lamps and do parikrama around it.
Prepare Annakut, many vegetarian dishes, and offer it to Krishna.
Worship cows and feed them.
The story
Krishna asked the people of Braj to worship Govardhan hill instead of Indra. Angered, Indra sent seven days of rain. Krishna lifted the hill on his finger and everyone sheltered under it until Indra accepted defeat.
Questions
When is Govardhan Puja in 2026?
Govardhan Puja 2026 is on Tuesday, 10 November 2026. Shukla Pratipada tithi begins at 12:32 PM on Monday 9 November and ends at 2:00 PM on Tuesday 10 November IST.
What is Annakut?
Annakut means a mountain of food. Temples and families prepare many dishes and offer them to Krishna as a hill, then share them as prasad.
Is Govardhan Puja always the day after Diwali?
Usually, but not always. It follows Kartika Shukla Pratipada, so in some years there is a gap day after Diwali.
Around Govardhan Puja
Coming up
- Karva ChauthThu 29 Oct
- Ahoi AshtamiSun 1 Nov
- Rama EkadashiThu 5 Nov
- DhanterasFri 6 Nov
- DiwaliSun 8 Nov
- Narak ChaturdashiSun 8 Nov
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