What is Govardhan Puja?
Govardhan Puja (also called Annakut Puja) is celebrated on the fourth day of the Diwali festival — November 9, 2026. It commemorates the legendary event from the Bhagavata Purana in which Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhan Hill (also called Giriraj) on his little finger to shelter the residents of Vrindavan from torrential rains sent by Lord Indra.
By lifting Govardhan, Krishna demonstrated that nature — represented by the mountain, the trees, and all living things — provides nourishment and shelter, and deserves our gratitude and reverence. On this day, Hindus worship the mountain (or a symbolic representation of it) and offer the famous Annakut — a mountain of food — as a gesture of gratitude for nature's abundance.
This day also marks the beginning of the Gujarati New Year (Bestu Varas) for the Gujarati community.
Govardhan Puja Muhurat 2026
Monday, November 9, 2026
Most auspicious morning window. Duration: 2 hours 14 minutes. Ideal for Annakut offering and parikrama.
Monday, November 9, 2026
Alternative evening window for those who cannot perform the morning puja. Duration: 2 hours 13 minutes.
Muhurat times are in IST (UTC+5:30). Use the timezone converter for your local time.
Govardhan Puja Vidhi — Step by Step
- Prepare the altar: Using cow dung (gobar), create a symbolic representation of Govardhan Hill — a mound or small hill shape on a clean surface or courtyard. Decorate it with flowers, tulsi leaves, and small diyas.
- Place the deity: Place a small idol or image of Lord Krishna near the Govardhan mound. Arrange images of cows and calves around it, as Govardhan is associated with Krishna's pastoral world.
- Panchamrit abhishek: Offer panchamrit (milk, curd, honey, ghee, sugar) to Lord Krishna, followed by clean water to rinse.
- Annakut offering: Arrange 56 different food items (Chhappan Bhog) in front of the mound. These represent the 56 varieties of food Krishna ate during the 7-day Govardhan leela. At minimum, offer 5–7 varieties.
- Offer dhoop and deep: Light incense sticks (agarbatti) and camphor (kapoor), and wave them in circular motions (aarti movement) before the deities.
- Parikrama (circumambulation): Walk around the Govardhan mound seven times in a clockwise direction, chanting the Govardhan mantra. In Mathura/Vrindavan, devotees perform the full 21-km parikrama around the actual hill.
- Prasad distribution: After the puja, distribute all the Annakut food as prasad among family members and neighbours.
Annakut — The Mountain of Food
The word Annakut means "mountain of food" (anna = food, kut = mountain). On Govardhan Puja day, families and temples prepare a grand spread of vegetarian food items — traditionally 56 dishes — representing all the food from Braj that Lord Krishna consumed.
Traditional 56 Bhog (Chhappan Bhog)
While temples prepare all 56 dishes, home puja can use a simplified version. The key categories are:
- Sweets (Mithai): Peda, ladoo, barfi, halwa, kheer, gulab jamun, rasgulla, jalebi
- Savoury dishes: Dal, rice, roti, sabzi, pakora, samosa, poha, khichdi
- Fruits: Banana, apple, grapes, pomegranate, coconut
- Dry fruits: Cashews, almonds, raisins, pistachios
- Drinks: Milk, chaas (buttermilk), panchajiri (a herbal drink), sharbat
- Condiments: Pickle, chutney, papad
Important: All Annakut food must be pure vegetarian (sattvic). No onion, garlic, meat, fish, or eggs. No alcohol. Prepare food with love and devotion — it is being offered to Krishna before it is eaten.
Govardhan Puja Mantra
गोवर्धन धराधार गोकुल त्राणकारक।
विष्णुबाहु कृतोच्छ्राय गवां कोटिप्रभो नमः।।
Govardhan Dharaadhaar, Gokul Traanakaarak,
Vishnubaahu Kritocchhraya, Gavaam Kotiprabhoh Namah.
Meaning: "O Govardhan, supporter of the earth, protector of Gokul, lifted by Lord Vishnu's arm — I bow to you, the glory of millions of cows."
Chant this mantra 108 times during parikrama of the Govardhan mound, or use a japa mala (rosary).