History and Legend of Govardhan Pooja
Govardhan Puja is celebrated a day after Diwali, that is the fourth day of the 5-day grand Hindu festival. Occasionally there can be a day gap between Diwali celebrations and Govardhan Puja. According to the Hindu calendar it falls on the first lunar day called as 'Ekam' of the Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight of moon) in the month of Kartik. It forms an integral part of Diwali celebrations. Govardhan Puja commemorates the victory of Lord Krishna over Indra.
Govardhan Puja is called by different names in different parts of the country. In some places it is known as 'Bali Pratipada', 'Annakut Puja', 'Padwa' or even 'Gujarati New Year'. Govardhan Puja is celebrated with great enthusiasm and zeal in the Indian states of Haryana, Punjab, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. In the state of Haryana particularly, there is a ritual of making cow dung hillocks that is symbolic of Mount Govardhan.
People then decorate these hillocks with flowers and worship them. In Maharashtra is it observed as 'Padwa' and there is a tradition of gifting presents to wives by men. In the state of Haryana and Gujarat, it marks the start of New Year or Vikram Samvat. In some parts of India, the day after Diwali is also observed as 'Vishwakarma Day'. This day is dedicated to worshipping the tools and is marked as a holiday officially.
Govardhan Puja is also known as the Annakut puja (or Padwa, Bali Pratipada, and Gujarati New Year), means worshiping the pile of grains (symbolizing the Govardhan mountain), which is celebrated to remember the victory of Lord Krishna over the arrogant Indra.
It is considered that, at this day Lord Krishna had defeated the Lord of heaven, known as Indra. Lord Krishna told the people of the Vrindavan dham to worship the Nature because only the Nature is nurturing you. He taught people that worship the Govardhan Mountain (which brings rain to the earth) and stop worshiping Indra.
Such type of message of the Lord Krishna to the people was generally to teach the people to take care of the nature.
Govardhan Puja 2016 would be celebrated by the people at Monday, on 31st of October.
Why Govardhan Pooja is Celebrated (Significance)
A great mountain of the food, called as the Govardhan Mountain, is adorned by the people at this occasion. It is considered that the Govardhan Mountain was lifted by the Lord Krishna in order to save the life of people from the arrogant Indra. Lord Indra was throwing thunder and a lot of rain over the earth and lord Krishna had saved the millions of life by lifting the Govardhan mountain on his little finger. From then, the Annakut pooja is performed with the immense passion and eagerness by the people in various states of India such as Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Mathura, Vrindavan and Bihar.
Rituals of Govardhan Puja:
On the day of Govardhan Puja, people make hillocks from cow dung, which represents Mount Govardhan. These hillocks are then beautifully adorned with flowers and worshipped with kumkum and Akshatra. Devotees then perform 'Parikrama' (a ritual of taking rounds) around the hillocks. They pray devotedly to Lord Govardhan and ask Him to protect them from hardships of life. On this day people also give bath to their bulls and cow and decorate them with garlands and saffron. They then worship the cows and bulls as they were considered dear to Lord Krishna.
The preparation of 'Annakoot' is an integral part of the Govardhan Puja. The word 'Annakoot' means 'mountain of food'. Therefore on the auspicious day of Govardhan Puja, devotees 108 or even 56 varied preparations of food to offer as 'Bhog' to Lord Krishna. The idols of Lord Krishna are bathed in milk and adorned with beautiful and dazzling clothes and jewelry. They are then worshipped by traditional means, including Bhog and aarti. The 'Annakoot' Prasad is then distributed amongst family members and friends.
In some states of India, the day just after Diwali is observed as 'Kartik Shudha Padwa'. This day celebrates the return of King Bali and is also called as 'Bali Padyami'.
In Maharashtra and some western states, Govardhan Puja is celebrated as 'Gudi Padwa'. On this wife garlands their husband, apply 'Tilak' on their forehead and perform an aarti for their long and prosperous life. As a token of appreciation, the husbands then shower their wives with expensive gifts as a token of love. Hence the festival of Gudi Padwa cherishes the bond of selfless love and devotion between husband and wife.
How Govardhan Pooja is Celebrated (Celebration)
In some Indian states, Govardhan Puja is celebrated by making the hillocks of cow-dung which represents the Mount Govardhan. Then people decorate the hillocks by flowers and worship them. Devotees make rounds around the hillocks and pray to Lord Govardhan to save their life as always. At some places, it is celebrated as a part of the Diwali such as the Padva or Bali Pratipada to commemorate the King Bali. And at some places, it is enjoyed as a Gujarati New Year because the Vikram Samvat begins at this day.
