Govardhan Puja

What is the story behind Govardhan Puja?

The story behind the celebration of Govardhan Puja has a deep significance in hindu mythology. So, once, in a village named Vrindavan, Lord Krishna saw that the people of the village were preparing several food items as an offering for Lord Indra, who is considered a lord of rain. In that scenario, Krishna suggested the people of the village to worship Govardhan Hill, which provides them with fruitful soil and raises their cattle.

So, hearing that, the villagers agreed to follow Krishna's instructions and started to offer food to Govardhan Hill. Looking at the people offering food to Govardhan Hill, Lord Indra got jealous and angry. So, in anger, he sent heavy rain and flood that troubled the villagers of Vrindavan. However, looking at the helpless people, Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhan hill on his little finger for seven days to protect the villagers and get shelter. Furthermore, later, Indra Dev realised his mistake, and he stopped the rain and asked for forgiveness from Lord Krishna.

The villagers saw the concern of Lord Krishna for villagers and learned that Lord Krishna is the actual protector, not Lord Indra. So, later on, people made a small hill, also known as annakut, by using food and started to worship Lord Krishna. However, since then, people have begun celebrating Govardhan Puja to glorify and offer thankfulness to Lord Krishna.

What is the significance of Govardhan Puja?

The celebration of Govardhan Puja significance revolves around the story of Lord Krishna lifting the Govardhan hill on his little finger. He saved his devotees from being harmed due to the rain and stood still, lifting the hill for seven days. Since then, devotees realised the powers of Lord Krishna and started celebrating Govardhan Puja to thank Shree Krishna. Moreover, after the devotees came to know that Lord Krishna had the power to save all his devotees, Lord Krishna started being called Giridhari or Giriraj, meaning the king of Hills.

Moreover, the main reason behind the celebration of Govardhan Pooja is the divine act of Lord Krishna. However, apart from this, the celebration of Govardhan Puja also marks the bond between human beings and nature. Moreover, there are some famous places where the Diwali Govardhan Puja is celebrated with great warmth. Places like Gokul, Vrindavan, Mathura, Barsan and Nandgaon are the places where people celebrate the Govardhan Puja with great devotion and loyalty. On the day of Govardhan Puja, many people also observe Puja at home and chant bhajans and kirtans, celebrating Govardhan Puja with great joy and happiness.

What are the Rituals and Remedies involved in Govardhan Puja?

The celebration of Govardhan Puja is incomplete without the rituals, remedies and puja ceremony. So here are some of the rituals and remedies that can be performed on the day of Govardhan Puja.

Govardhan Puja Rituals

• On the auspicious day of Govardhan Puja, people sing and dance and chant bhajans and kirtans to please Lord Krishna. Moreover, Govardhan Puja rangoli is also made to decorate homes.
• People prepare tasty meals, which include all the vegetarian dishes. Devotees prepare chappan bhog (56 dishes) to offer Lord Krishna on the day of Govardhan Puja.
• Devotees can wear ten and nineteen mukhi Rudraksha on this day to purify all their sins and protect themselves from evil energies on this day.
• On this day, a Govardhan hill is prepared using the cow dunk. All the devotees of Lord Krishna come together to celebrate the festival of Govardhan puja and offer prayers to Lord Krishna.
• People perform Parikrama, taking five rounds around the Govardhan hill made of cow dunk, asking for blessings and chanting bhajans. Moreover, govardhan puja vrat katha is recited where all people sit together to listen to the katha.
• Devotees can also donate food and necessary items to all the Brahmins on the day of Govardhan puja. Moreover, they can also prepare some vegetable meals at home and invite Brahmins.

Govardhan Puja Remedies

• On the day of Govardhan Puja, you must massage your body with oil and then take a bath. Doing this can purify your body and mind.
• You must not perform the rituals and puja vidhi of Govardhan Puja in a closed room. You can perform the rituals in the open hall or on the terrace.
• You must not come out of your house when the moon appears on this day.
• Remember to wear brightly coloured clothes such as white, beige or cream colour.
• You must always remember to worship Ishta Deva while you are worshipping Cows.

Conclusion

Mark the dates for Govardhan Puja 2023 so that you do not miss out on the puja tithi timing and perform puja within the given puja muhurat. Also, we have mentioned the rituals to be followed on the day of Govardhan Puja. You can get help and perform the rituals accordingly.