Most Hindus have heard of the story of Lord Krishna lifting Govardhan mountain on his finger to provide shelter to the villagers of Mathura from the wrath of Lord Indra. Govardhan Pooja is a ritual that commemorates the incident.
Govardhan Pooja is part of the 5-day Diwali festival. It falls on the 4th day of the festival, after Badi Diwali or Lakshmi Pooja. On this day, people worship the Govardhan mountain by performing certain rituals. Essentially, Govardhan Pooja is a kind of thanksgiving to nature that provides us with several resources like water, vegetables, fruits, and more.
Govardhan Pooja is also called Annakut Pooja (‘Annakut’ means ‘a heap of grain’). It is celebrated all over India.
The Myth behind Govardhan Pooja
Krishna was the 8th avatar of Lord Vishnu. Though he was born in Mathura, he was raised in Vrindavan as the foster son of Nanda and Yashoda. His real parents were Devaki and Vasudeva.
A divine prophecy predicted that Devaki’s 8th child would kill Kamsa, the brother of Devaki. So the evil Kamsa imprisoned his sister and husband and killed all the children born to them. But by a divine miracle, Vasudeva was able to leave the prison and flee to Gokul, where he left the baby with his friend, Nanda, as he lay asleep and returned with Nanda’s new-born daughter to the prison. After he grew up, Krishna would kill Kamsa and validate the prophecy.
Govardhan was a small hillock in Braj, near Mathura. The Vishnu Purana says that the people of Gokul used to do a Pooja for Lord Indra every year, as they thought that it was Indra who sent rains and ensured their prosperity and welfare. They had been performing the Pooja for many years. They also believed that if they did not perform the Pooja, Lord Indra would get angry and would not send them any rain. As it was a farming community, a lack of rain would have led to drought, resulting in famine due to scarcity of grains and fodder.
One day, Lord Krishna told the villagers not to do the Pooja. He pointed out that it was Govardhan mountain that brought rain and not Indra. He also told them to worship the Govardhan mountain instead. People thought he was right, and hence, they performed the Pooja for Mt. Govardhan. Lord Indra was incensed. He decided to teach the villagers of Vrindavan a harsh lesson.
Accordingly, he brought heavy rains to the village. The continuous rains wreaked havoc, and the village became flooded. The people trembled before the wrath of Indra. But Lord Krishna calmed them and promised to ensure the safety of the villagers and their cattle. After performing the Pooja and offering prayers to Mt. Govardhan, Krishna lifted the mountain on the little finger of his right hand. Then he told everybody to take shelter under the hill. For 7 days and nights, he lifted the hill. Finally, Indra conceded defeat and accepted Krishna as the supreme power. After this, Krishna was also called Giridhari, and Govardhan Pooja came to be celebrated every year.
Bali’s legend
Another legend about Govardhan Pooja is related to King Bali, who was defeated and sent to Patal by Lord Vishnu in the form of Vamana. Supposedly, Bali emerges from Patal Lok every year on the day people celebrate Govardhan Pooja to visit his kingdom on earth. This day is also called ‘Padva’ or ‘Bali Pratipada’ in some regions of India.
How is Govardhan Pooja celebrated?
The Pooja is on the 4th day of Diwali. People worship a heap of grain that symbolizes the Govardhan mountain. It is an important ritual in many states of India, like Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Mathura, and Vrindavan.
In some places, Govardhan Pooja is usually celebrated by building hillocks of cow dung, which represent the Govardhan mountain. The hillocks are decorated with flowers and garlands by devotees and worshipped. They also make circumambulations around the hillocks and pray to Lord Govardhan to protect them. In other regions, it is celebrated as Padva or Bali Pratipada in honor of King Bali. In Gujarat, it is the New Year because the Vikram Samvat starts on this day.
Significance Of Govardhan Puja:
Govardhan or Annakut Pooja is an expression of thanksgiving to the Lord and Mother Nature. Devotees prepare a meal called Chappan bhog. It includes 56 items, and there is an interesting reason for this. Lord Krishna lifted the mountain for 7 days. He is said to have had 8 meals a day. So, devotees offer 56 (7x 8) food items to him. The bhog is arranged in a particular sequence. Devotees keep the milk products closest to his idol. Next come besan (gram flour)-based items and then salty food. In the end, they offer elaichi (cardamom).
List of foods
7 types of cereals
7 types of fruits
7 types of dry fruits
7 vegetables
7 sweets
7 drinks
7 namkeen
7 sauces or pickles (in another variation 16 kinds of namkeen)
20 kinds of sweets
20 kinds of dry fruit
Govardhan Pooja reminds us of the need to conserve natural resources. Indians have always worshipped nature in the form of trees, rivers, animals, etc. Conservation and protection of precious natural resources are important for our survival, as well.
