Govardhan Puja, also known as Annakut or Annakoot, is a unique celebration that takes place the day after Diwali in many parts of India. This festival is deeply rooted in Hindu mythology, paying homage to Lord Krishna's act of lifting Mount Govardhan to protect the people of Vrindavan from the wrath of Lord Indra. Over time, this ritual has evolved, blending regional customs, flavors, and offerings. Today, it stands as a beautiful tapestry of local traditions and beliefs, each showcasing India’s cultural diversity.
The Significance of Govardhan Puja and Annakut
Govardhan Puja is celebrated to honor the day when, according to legend, Lord Krishna urged the villagers of Vrindavan to worship the Govardhan Hill, a natural provider of resources. Angered by their shift of reverence from him, Indra, the king of gods, unleashed torrential rains. To protect his devotees, Lord Krishna lifted the hill, shielding them from the storm for seven days. This act not only emphasized the importance of nature worship but also underlined the belief in divine intervention in times of crisis.
In many parts of India, this event is symbolically re-enacted by creating miniature hill replicas made of cow dung, clay, or even food items. The Annakut, or "mountain of food," refers to the large offerings made to Krishna as a gesture of gratitude, typically comprising a lavish spread of sweets, savories, and other local delicacies.
How Govardhan Puja is Celebrated Across India
Uttar Pradesh – Vrindavan and Mathura’s Grand Annakut
Vrindavan and Mathura, closely linked to Krishna's life, host some of the grandest Annakut and Govardhan Puja celebrations. Devotees in Mathura create small idols and replicas of Govardhan Hill from cow dung, clay, and flowers. Temples in Vrindavan, like the famous Banke Bihari Temple, are adorned with thousands of lights, flowers, and intricate decorations, and are known for offering large Annakut feasts. In Mathura, the priests prepare mountains of food, from sweets like laddoos and barfis to savory items like kachoris, and these are later distributed as prasad (blessed food) to thousands of devotees.
Maharashtra – Devotion with Regional Delicacies
In Maharashtra, Govardhan Puja is celebrated with a local flavor. Marathi households offer traditional dishes like puran poli, shrikhand, and batata bhaji as part of the Annakut offering. Unlike in the northern regions, the focus here is more on family gatherings and quiet gratitude. Govardhan Puja coincides with Bali Pratipada, a celebration in honor of the legendary King Bali. Devotees believe that during this time, King Bali returns to earth to bless his followers, adding a regional layer of folklore to the festival.
Gujarat – Annakut as a Feast of Abundance
In Gujarat, the festival is known for its vibrant spirit. Temples and households prepare an extensive Annakut spread with hundreds of dishes, ranging from sweets to farsan (savory snacks) and various curries. The Swaminarayan temples, especially, are renowned for their grand Annakut displays. The food is laid out in a pyramid-like arrangement, symbolizing Govardhan Hill, and the devotees participate in "darshan" or viewing of the Annakut before the feast. This custom reflects the importance of food as a manifestation of prosperity and gratitude in Gujarati culture.
Punjab and Haryana – Celebrating the Wealth of Nature
In Punjab and Haryana, Govardhan Puja is closely connected to agriculture and the land’s fertility. People create small idols of Lord Krishna and symbols of Govardhan Hill out of cow dung and decorate them with flowers. This agrarian twist symbolizes gratitude for a good harvest, rain, and soil fertility. Villagers and farmers gather to pray for prosperity and abundant crops in the coming year. They also celebrate with regional sweets like gur (jaggery) and makki di roti, along with traditional bhangra and gidda dances, bringing a lively energy to the festival.
West Bengal and Odisha – Regional Celebrations of Lord Krishna
In West Bengal and Odisha, Annakut is celebrated in the temples of Lord Jagannath, a form of Krishna, with grand feasts. The offerings include a mix of rice, dal, sweets like khaja, and regional dishes like dalma (a curry made with lentils and vegetables). The Jagannath temples in Odisha, particularly in Puri, witness large gatherings, and the deity is adorned with flowers and offerings in a display of devotion. Here, the festival is not as elaborate as Diwali but still carries the essence of gratitude, particularly in the temples dedicated to Krishna.
Rajasthan – Celebrating with Ghee Lamps and Small Hills
In Rajasthan, Govardhan Puja is celebrated with a distinct traditional flair. People make small clay or cow dung hills in their courtyards, symbolizing Govardhan Hill, and decorate them with ghee lamps, flowers, and rangoli. Devotees offer sweets and other dishes to the deity, along with prayers for prosperity and protection. The focus on lighting ghee lamps symbolizes the belief in lighting the path to protection, following Lord Krishna's example. People in some areas also enact small plays or “lilas” depicting Krishna’s life, adding a storytelling dimension to the celebrations.
Govardhan Puja in Modern Times
Across India, Govardhan Puja continues to be a festival of gratitude, symbolizing the importance of protecting nature and celebrating Krishna’s blessings. While traditionally, food was prepared from scratch, today many people either cook at home or offer food purchased from sweet shops, making the festival more accessible in urban areas. Although the methods may have evolved, the values of thankfulness, abundance, and devotion remain the same.
In some regions, eco-friendly practices are also being incorporated, with devotees choosing to make their Govardhan hills using organic materials or reduce the quantity of food wasted by distributing Annakut offerings to the less fortunate.
Conclusion
Govardhan Puja is a vibrant expression of India's diversity, showing how a single festival can be celebrated with so many local flavors, beliefs, and practices. From the grand temple feasts of Gujarat and Vrindavan to the small, family-centered observances in Maharashtra, the festival remains a celebration of community, gratitude, and faith. It reflects not only devotion to Lord Krishna but also an age-old reverence for nature and the resources it provides.
