Significance and Legend:
Govardhan Puja, also known as Annakut, is a Hindu festival celebrated on the first lunar day of the bright fortnight of the month of Kartika, on the fourth day of Diwali. It holds a significant place in India due to its wide popularity and its proximity to the Diwali festival. The festival's legend revolves around a hill called Govardhan, which Lord Krishna lifted to protect the residents of Vrindavan from heavy rainfall.
The festival commemorates the pastime of Lord Sri Krishna lifting the Govardhan Hill to protect the residents of Vrindavana from the wrath of Indra. When the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna saw the residents of Vrindavana preparing for Indra-yajna, He suggested that they should forgo the worship of Indra and instead worship the Govardhana Hill.
The ceremony fosters a spiritual connection among devotees, reinforcing the profound bond between the worshippers and the divine Lord Krishna.
Rituals and Celebrations:
Devotees worship Govardhan Hill and prepare and offer a large variety of vegetarian food to Krishna as a mark of gratitude. The festival involves the preparation of a symbolic representation of the Govardhan Hill, known as Annakut, which involves arranging a mound of various food items, signifying gratitude for the Earth's abundance. Temples and households conduct elaborate puja ceremonies, adorning an idol or image of Lord Krishna with colorful clothes and jewelry, and offering flowers, incense, and traditional sweets during the rituals.
An important ritual during Govardhan Puja is the preparation of Chappan Bhog, a magnificent feast that honors Lord Krishna's love of food. Additionally, cow dung is transformed into the essence of Lord Krishna's marvelous and divine deeds, with devotees creating a likeness of the Govardhan hill from cow dung and adorning it with miniature cow figurines.
The festival also involves the preparation and offering of 56 food items (Chhappan Bhog) after the puja ends, symbolizing the mountain of food in Sanskrit, Annakoot. Devotees also perform circumambulations around the Annakut, symbolizing the cyclical nature of life and the universe, as a demonstration of devotion and recognition of the divine presence in all aspects of life.
Govardhan Puja is a vibrant and deeply symbolic festival that honors Lord Krishna's protection of his devotees and fosters a sense of gratitude and spiritual connection among worshippers.
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