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Festival Profile

Govardhan Puja

Worship of Mount Govardhan, recalling Lord Krishna's lifting of the hill.

All festivals

Govardhan Puja honours Lord Krishna's lifting of Mount Govardhan to protect the villagers of Vrindavan from Indra's wrath.

Stories behind the festival

Lifting the mountain

Dwapara Yuga
When Krishna told the villagers to worship Mount Govardhan instead of Indra, the angry Indra sent a great storm. Krishna lifted the hill on his little finger for seven days, sheltering the villagers and cattle, and humbled Indra.
Bhagavata Purana

Lifting the mountain

Dwapara Yuga
When Krishna told the villagers to worship Mount Govardhan instead of Indra, the angry Indra sent a great storm. Krishna lifted the hill on his little finger for seven days, sheltering the villagers and cattle, and humbled Indra.
Bhagavata Purana

Why we celebrate

Govardhan Puja honours Lord Krishna's lifting of Mount Govardhan to protect the villagers of Vrindavan from Indra's wrath.
Bhagavata Purana

When

Govardhan Puja falls on the first day (Pratipada) of the bright fortnight of Kartik, the day after Diwali.

Since when it is followed

The Govardhan legend belongs to the Dwapara Yuga, the era of Krishna.
Bhagavata Purana

Who celebrates / for whom

Celebrated by Hindus, especially in North India and by farming communities.

Origin

The origin is the Bhagavata Purana account of Krishna protecting the villagers from Indra's storm by lifting Govardhan hill.
Bhagavata Purana (Dwapara Yuga)

Key deities

Lord Krishna and Mount Govardhan.

How to celebrate

Build a hill of cow dung or food (annakut), worship it with offerings, and perform parikrama (circumambulation).

Rituals & offerings

Annakut offering, worship of the Govardhan hill, and parikrama.

Key facts

In Vrindavan, Govardhan Puja includes a grand Annakut (mountain of food) offering.
Regional tradition
In Vrindavan, Govardhan Puja includes a grand Annakut (mountain of food) offering.
Regional tradition