Govardhan Puja 2025: Significance, Date, Rituals & Celebration Guide

Govardhan Puja and Annakoot festivals hold special significance in Indian culture. These festivals are celebrated on the Pratipada Tithi of the Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) of the month of Kartika, the day after Diwali. In 2025, the festival will be celebrated on October 22nd. The auspicious time for Govardhan Puja is from 6:26 am to 8:42 am, and the evening auspicious time is from 3:29 pm to 5:44 pm.

This festival symbolizes reverence for Lord Krishna, gratitude for nature, and community unity. The mythology of Govardhan Puja and Annakoot is linked to the exploits of Lord Krishna, which impart not only spiritual but also social and environmental messages to devotees.

Why is Govardhan Puja celebrated?

Govardhan Puja is performed to appease the ego of Lord Indra. According to ancient beliefs, when Lord Indra, out of arrogance, showered excessive rain on the people of Gokul, he was showering heavy rain.

At that time, Lord Krishna lifted the huge Govardhan mountain, under which all the residents of Gokul were standing, on his finger, and thus, Devraj Indra was unable to do anything.

It was because of Govardhan mountain that Lord Krishna shattered the ego of Devraj Indra. For this reason, Govardhan Puja is performed every year, in which the cow, Lord Krishna, and Govardhan mountain are worshipped.

The Significance of Govardhan Puja

The special significance of Govardhan Puja is the destruction of ego and respect for natural resources. On this day, we worship the mountain, cow, God, and cow dung.

Doing so awakens a sense of respect for natural resources in ourselves and future generations. Govardhan Puja is also considered important for keeping alive the memory of how Lord Krishna shattered the ego of Devraj Indra. In Sanatan Dharma, the significance of Govardhan Puja is linked to natural resources, mountains, cow dung, and Lord Krishna.

Govardhan Puja Method

• On the second day of Diwali, as part of Govardhan Puja, a mountain is created from cow dung in the courtyard of the house. It is decorated with flowers, a lamp is lit on top, and water is poured around it.
• Incense sticks, dhoop sticks, etc. are offered, and the mountain is worshipped according to the rituals of Sanatan Dharma.
• Cow milk, yogurt, ghee, Ganga water, honey, etc. are used during the puja. After the puja is over, all family members take a pot filled with water and circumambulate Govardhan mountain seven times, pouring water on it.
• It is said that after completing the seven circumambulations, paddy is sown using the water poured on the mountain, using their hands as plows. It is believed that performing Govardhan Puja brings happiness and prosperity to the family.