Govardhan Puja
October 22, 2025
Govardhana Puja is celebrated annually in the month of Kartika (October–November) to honour the divine pastime of Lord Sri Krishna, who lifted the Govardhana Hill to protect the residents of Vrindavana from the wrath of Indra.
When Lord Krishna saw the residents of Vrindavana preparing for the Indra-yajna, He advised them to forgo worshipping Indra and instead offer their devotion to the Govardhana Hill. Upon learning of this, Indra, the king of the heavens, became enraged and sent a torrential downpour over Vrindavana. In response, Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhana Hill with His little finger, providing shelter for all the residents of Vrindavana. Realizing His mistake, Indra humbled Himself and sought forgiveness from Krishna. This divine episode, known as Govardhana Lila, teaches that a devotee who is fully surrendered to the Supreme Lord and engaged in devotional service is free from the need to worship any demigods for material benefits. This story is beautifully narrated in the tenth canto of the Srimad Bhagavatam.
In accordance with Lord Krishna’s instructions and following the example set by the residents of Vrindavana, Govardhana Puja is celebrated each year during the month of Kartika. Devotees prepare a variety of food offerings such as rice, dhal, halva, pakora, puri, and an assortment of milk-based preparations like sweet rice, rabri, sweet balls, sandesh, rasgulla, and laddus. These offerings are arranged in the form of a small hill and presented to the Lord, after which they are distributed as prasadam to all participants. As such, this festival is also referred to as the Annakuta Festival.
On this day, devotees also worship the cows, as Lord Krishna is Gopala, the protector of cows. The Vishnu Purana (1.19.65) contains a prayer that extols Krishna as the well-wisher of both the brahmanas and the cows, stating: namo brahmanya-devaya go-brahmana-hitaya ca. On Govardhana Puja, the cows are adorned and well-fed, and devotees circumambulate the Govardhana Hill in reverence.
The Deity of Lord Sri Krishna is adorned in Giridhari Alankara, with the Govardhana Hill held on the little finger of His left hand. At Hare Krishna Golden Temple, a replica of the Govardhana Hill is crafted using egg-less cakes and various cookies prepared fresh from the temple’s bakery. The Govardhana cake is then offered to Sri Sri Radha Govinda and later distributed to all attendees as prasadam. In addition, the cows are decorated, worshiped, and an arati is performed for Gopala, the protector of the cows. Devotees sing devotional songs, including Yashomati Nandana, and the story of the Govardhana pastime is narrated. The celebration culminates with a grand arati for Radha Govinda, accompanied by the chanting of Sri Govardhanashtakam, a set of eight verses glorifying the Govardhana Hill.
You are invited to participate in the online celebrations, and as a token of appreciation for your devotion and service, special prasadam will be sent to your home.
