Govardhan Puja 2023: Date, Mahurat Timing, Significance and Festivities

Govardhan Puja signifies the day when Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhan Parvat to protect the people of Vrindavan from the heavy rainfall. The devotees worship Lord Krishna as being the saviour and symbolically offer food items to him. Goverdhan Puja is celebrated on the next day of Diwali and the day before Bhai Duj.

Govardhan Puja 2023 Date and Timings

Here are the details for Govardhan Puja timings or Muhurat:

• Govardhan Puja 2023 Date: 13 November 2023
• Morning Puja Muhurat: 06:29 a.m. to 08:43 a.m
• Pratipada Muhurat: 02:56 p.m
• Holiday Type: Optional
• Other Names: Annakut Puja and Annakoot Puja

Story of Govardhan Puja

Govardhan Puja

Govardhan Puja Katha is the story of the battle between Lord Krishna and Lord Indra. Lord Krishna believed that people should worship Govardhan Hill instead of Indra as the mountain would provide all the resources they needed. Indra got angry with this decision by villagers and started heavy rainfall. Then, Lord Krishna saved the entire village from the torrential rain by lifting the Govardhan hill to provide shelter to the villagers. After seven days of heavy rainfall, Indra accepted his defeat.

People celebrate and worship the saviour Lord Krishna on the day of Govardhan Puja. According to the Hindu calendar, it falls in the month of Kartik (October-November). It is also observed as a festival for environment conservation. People use cow dung, flowers, and other environment-friendly things to celebrate Govardhan Puja.

Govardhan Puja Rituals and Celebrations

Govardhan Puja is celebrated across the country with joy. People make mountains with cow dung and decorate them with flowers. The mountain is worshipped during the Govardhan Puja Muhurat with all the rituals. It also signifies environment conservation as all the resources used in Goverdhan Puja are environment-friendly. People do Parikarma (moving around the mountain) of the Govardhan mountain made from cow dung and sing Govardhan Puja Aarti and devotional songs. During the Govardhan Puja, people offere sugarcane, curd, milk, sweets, and rice to the hill made of cow dung.

Annakoot Puja/Annakut Puja and Chhappan Bhog

Annakut or Annakoot means the mountain of food that is prepared on the day of Govardhan Puja. People worship the food and then distribute it among the devotees as Prasad. People offer Chhappan Bhog (56 different food delicacies) to the Govardhan mountain.

Places to Observe during Goverdhan Puja

Govardhan Puja meaning is to worship the Govardhan Hill and nature. People reach Mathura days before the festival for the preparations:

Govardhan Hill, Mathura

The Govardhan mountain is a sight to watch on the day of Govardhan Puja. People perform the Parikarma on the day of the festival with the Govardhan Puja Vidhi. The entire Parikrama is about 22 km which takes around 5-6 hours to complete. Govardhan Parikarma begins from Manasi-Ganga Kund and ends with the temple of Lord Harideva.

Importance of Govardhan Parikarma – People show gratitude towards nature and God by performing the Parikarma. The purpose behind the Govardhan Hill Puja is the conservation and protection of vulnerable and precious natural resources.

Govardhan Puja Wishes

People greet each other with Happy Govardhan Puja wishes. Some of the famous Govardhan Puja greetings are:

• May Lord Krishna bless you with a long and healthy life. Happy Govardhan Puja to you and your family!
• May this auspicious day of Govardhan Puja bring you health, wealth and success. Have a blessed Govardhan Puja!
• Govardhan Puja is a festival dedicated to Lord Krishna. May he fulfil all your desires on this special occasion.
• May this Govardhan Puja bring light to your life. A very happy Govardhan Puja to you and your family.
• I pray that Lord Krishna always protects you from all evil. Happy Govardhan Puja!
• May Lord Krishna bless you with a prosperous and peaceful life. Happy Govardhan Puja!