Govardhan Puja: Mahurat timings and rituals - All you need to know

Govardhan Puja is an auspicious event in the Hindu calendar which is devoted to the worshipping of Bhagwan Shri Krishna to thank him for the many blessing he showers upon us. The Puja is in the remembrance of the day when Shri Krishna lifted the Govardhan Hill to protect others from a massive storm. 

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Shri Krishna’s devotees find great solace during the ceremony and believe that the tradition of prayers and rituals brings them closer to God. The festival is actively celebrated in all Hindu households across the globe. The Annakut festival occurs on the first lunar day of Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) in the Hindu calendar month of Kartik, which is the next day of Deepawali (Diwali), the Hindu festival of lights, and also the first day of the Vikram Samvat calendar.

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Worship timings of the Govardhan Puja are as follows

Pratipada date starts: October 28 from 09 08 am.

End of Pratipada date: 06 October at 13:40.

Evening worship time

On October 28 from 03:26 in the afternoon, from 05 to 40 in the evening.

The ritual

The Govardhan puja marks the commencement of Annakut. Although, in some regions, the Annakut and Govardhan puja is treated no differently. The traditional rituals of Govardhan puja varies from place to place. One ritual consists of placing cow dung in horizontal positions.  The structure is surrounded by varieties of delicately crafted earthen lamps and candles. Various offerings in the form of food are also placed. Finally, prayers are made to Lord Govardhan and hymns are sung in the Lord's praise.

In temples, the ritual is followed in a particular manner. The puja is of a longer duration followed by the sadhus and devotees sing kirtans or devotional hymns. These hymns describe the food items that are made and offered and also the practices that are carried out by the devotees during the auspicious day. Devotees also accept a certain amount of the Annakut Prasadas as blessings.

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