Festivals
Date
Govardhan Puja / Annakut
About
Govardhan Puja, also known as Annakut, is celebrated on the first day of the Shukla Paksha in Kartika. It commemorates the legend of Lord Krishna lifting the Govardhan Hill on his little finger to protect the people of Braj from the torrential rains sent by Lord Indra.
Significance:
The festival teaches the importance of humility and the preservation of nature. It emphasizes that the divine is present in everything, including hills, trees, and animals.
Rituals & Puja Vidhi:
1. Annakut: Devotees prepare a variety of vegetarian delicacies (often 56 items) and arrange them in the form of a mountain to offer to Lord Krishna. 2. Cow Worship: Cows, being sacred and dear to Krishna, are bathed, decorated, and worshipped. 3. Parikrama: Performing circumambulation around the Govardhan Hill or a symbolic representation. 4. Kirtan: Singing devotional songs praising Krishna's lilas (divine plays).