Govardhan Puja 2023: Date, Significance, and Celebrations

Govardhan Puja will be celebrated on Monday, November 13th, 2023. The auspicious time for performing Govardhan Puja is during the Pratipada Tithi of the Kartika month. The Pratipada Tithi begins on November 13th at 06:43 AM and ends on November 14th at 08:52 AM.

Significance of Govardhan Puja of Lord Krishna

Govardhan Puja is celebrated to commemorate the victory of Lord Krishna over the rain god Indra. According to legend, Lord Krishna lifted Govardhan Hill on his little finger to protect the people and cattle of Vrindavan from Indra’s wrath. Indra was angered by the people’s worship of Govardhan Hill instead of him, and he sent heavy rains to flood Vrindavan. Lord Krishna lifted Govardhan Hill and held it up for seven days to protect the people and cattle from the rain. Indra eventually realized his mistake and apologized to Lord Krishna.

Govardhan Puja is also a celebration of nature and the importance of protecting the environment. Govardhan Hill is a sacred mountain that is home to a variety of flora and fauna. The people of Vrindavan worship Govardhan Hill as a symbol of nature’s bounty and abundance.

Celebrations of Govardhan Puja

Govardhan Puja is celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm throughout India. People gather in temples and at home to worship Lord Krishna and Govardhan Hill. They offer flowers, fruits, and sweets to the deities. A special food offering called Annakut is prepared on this day. Annakut is a mountain of food made from a variety of dishes, including rice, dal, vegetables, and sweets.

People also perform a special ritual called Govardhan Parikrama on this day. They circumambulate Govardhan Hill on foot, singing bhajans and chanting mantras.

Rituals of Govardhan Puja:

The rituals of Govardhan Puja vary from region to region. However, some common rituals include:

Preparing a Govardhan: A small replica of the Govardhan Hill is made from cow dung and decorated with flowers and leaves.
Worshipping Lord Krishna: The Govardhan is worshipped along with Lord Krishna.
Offering Annakoot: Annakoot is a mountain of food that is offered to Lord Krishna. It is usually made up of 56 different types of food, including sweets, savories, and fruits.
Circling the Govardhan Hill: Devotees circumambulate the Govardhan Hill, chanting mantras and prayers.

Celebrations of Govardhan Puja:

Govardhan Puja is celebrated with great enthusiasm in India and other parts of the world. People from all walks of life come together to celebrate this festival.

In Vrindavan, where the festival originated, the celebrations are particularly grand. Devotees from all over the world come to Vrindavan to participate in the Govardhan Puja celebrations.

On the day of Govardhan Puja, people visit temples and offer their prayers to Lord Krishna. They also prepare Annakoot and offer it to Lord Krishna.

In the evening, people gather around bonfires and sing devotional songs. The festival is a time to celebrate the victory of good over evil and to thank Lord Krishna for his blessings.

Conclusion:

Govardhan Puja is a significant festival for Hindus as it celebrates the victory of good over evil. It is also a day to thank Lord Krishna for his protection and to pray for his blessings.

The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm in India and other parts of the world. People from all walks of life come together to celebrate this festival.

If you are planning to celebrate Govardhan Puja this year, be sure to follow the rituals and traditions of your region. You can also visit a temple or organize a Govardhan Puja celebration in your own home.

Tips for Celebrating Govardhan Puja at Home:

Prepare a small replica of the Govardhan Hill from cow dung and decorate it with flowers and leaves.
Worship Lord Krishna along with the Govardhan.
Prepare Annakoot and offer it to Lord Krishna.
Circumambulate the Govardhan Hill, chanting mantras and prayers.
Invite your friends and family to join you in the celebrations.
Sing devotional songs and enjoy the festive atmosphere.

Here are some additional things you can do to celebrate Govardhan Puja at home:

Read stories about Lord Krishna and the Govardhan Puja.
Watch movies or TV shows about the festival.
Cook special dishes for the festival, such as kheer, gulab jamun, and ladoo.
Share gifts with your loved ones.
Donate to charity in the name of Lord Krishna.

How to Celebrate Govardhan Puja at Home

If you are unable to visit a temple on Govardhan Puja, you can still celebrate the festival at home. Here is a simple guide on how to perform Govardhan Puja at home:

Clean your house and prepare a place for the puja.
Set up a small altar with an image of Lord Krishna and Govardhan Hill.
Offer flowers, fruits, and sweets to the deities.
Light a lamp and incense sticks.
Chant the following mantra:

Om Govardhanaya Namaha

Perform the aarti.
Prepare a simple food offering and offer it to the deities.
Distribute the food offering to the members of your family and friends.

Conclusion

Govardhan Puja is a beautiful and auspicious festival that celebrates the victory of Lord Krishna over the rain god Indra. It is a day to worship Lord Krishna and Govardhan Hill, and to celebrate the importance of nature and protecting the environment.