Govardhan Puja

Govardhan Puja

Govardhan Puja (गोवर्धन पूजा) is celebrated on a day after Diwali. It is also considered as New Year day in some states especially Gujarat. This year Govardhan Puja, Padwa or Bali-Pratipada will be celebrated on 24th October i.e. Friday.

This pious day Govardhan Puja is dedicated to Govardhan parvat or Govradhan Mount.
Rituals and Significance 
1)    Bali-Pratipada or Bali Padyami. The day commemorates the victory of Vishnu in his dwarf form Vamana over the demon-king Bali, who was pushed into the Paatal lok. Special puja and decoration is observed in all Vishnu temples.
2)   Gujarati New Year or Padwa: New Year celebration, people visit each other, exchange gifts and seek blessings of elders. they also visit temple to give a auspicious start to their new year.
3)  Govardhan Puja: On this day Lord Krishan lifted Mount Govardhan with his little finger. Hence lord Krishna is also known as Govardhandhari.  He did this to protect brajwasi from heavy rain. People also perform ‘Gou- puja (गौ-पूजन)’. They worship Cow and feed her.
4) Annakut Utsav:  Annakoot meaning mountain of food is offered in Krihna Temples. 56 or 108 different types of food items are cook for this Mahabhog (chhapan bhog).  In temples, the deities are given milkbath, dressed in shining attires with ornaments of dazzling diamonds, pearls, rubies and other precious stones.

Mantra for Govardhan 

लक्ष्मीर्या लोकपालानां धेनुरूपेण संस्थिता।
घृतं वहति यज्ञार्थ मम पापं व्यपोहतु।।

How to perform Govardhan Puja at Home?Govardhan puja 
Govardhan Puja is generally performed in the morning.
Make a model of Govardhan parvat (mountain) using garden soil.
Decorate it as if you are decorating lord Krishna.
Use mukut, bansuri, flower, tilak etc to form and image of Lord krishna.
Offering 2 sticks of sugarcane, curd, unboiled milk and sweets.
Light the lamp and offer roli, chawal.
Perform parikrama around the model of mountain i.e. Govardhanji.