Govardhana Puja and Go Puja

What is Govardhana Puja?

On Govardhana Puja devotees remember Lord Krishna as the lifter of Govardhana Hill. The festival includes Go Puja, when the cows are honoured, and Annakuta, when a heap of food is offered to the Lord. In 2027 it falls on Saturday, 30 October, the day after Dipavali.

Significance

When the people of Vrindavana worshipped Govardhana Hill, Indra lost his offering and sent flooding rain on the cowherd community. Srimad-Bhagavatam describes how the Lord answered:

Having said this, Lord Kṛṣṇa, who is Viṣṇu Himself, picked up Govardhana Hill with one hand and held it aloft just as easily as a child holds up a mushroom.

Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.25.19

Srila Prabhupada writes that Lord Krishna never fails to protect His devotees, who must depend completely on His mercy.

How to observe it

Cook a wide variety of foods for Krishna and Govardhana Hill, offer them as Annakuta, and share the prasadam generously. Srila Prabhupada notes that in Vrindavana all the temples prepare huge quantities for the general public. If you can, decorate and feed the cows, and walk around the hill in worship. This is also the day of Bali Daityaraja Puja and the appearance day of Sri Rasikananda.

Read more: Govardhan Puja