Govardhan Puja 2024: Govardhan Puja is performed the day after Diwali. The festival of Govardhan Puja is celebrated with great pomp in Mathura and Vrindavan. According to the story, Lord Shri Krishna had protected the people of Braj and animals from the wrath of Lord Indra in Dwapara Yuga by lifting the Govardhan mountain with his little finger. Since then, this mountain has been considered revered and every year on this date, Govardhan mountain is worshiped with rituals. Additionally, Annakoot Prasad is also prepared and offered to Govardhan Maharaj and Lord Krishna.
Importance of Annakoot Prasad
On this day, everyone makes a statue of Govardhan mountain in the courtyard of their houses and worships it with cow dung, for which Annakoot Prasad is made. This Prasad is special because it is believed that when everyone took shelter on the mountain due to rain, whoever had the vegetables in his house brought food and all the vegetables were mixed and cooked on fire. The vegetable is considered Prasad. by Govardhan.
The story behind offering Annakoot
Annakoot festival is also organized in temples on the day of Govardhan Puja. The word Annakoot means the mixture of grains offered as bhog to Lord Shri Krishna. In many places, millet khichdi is prepared on this day, while in many places there is a tradition of celebrating oil puri, etc. After worship, these dishes are distributed among the devotees as Prasad. There is also a belief of performing Jagrata in temples during the Annakoot festival. In puja, people worship Lord Shri Krishna and pray for a happy life.
The basis of this offering is the belief that Lord Krishna had saved the people of Gokul from the wrath of Indra by lifting the Govardhan mountain with his little finger. Indra, angry with the people of Gokul, started raining heavily, then Lord Krishna kept everyone safe by using the Govardhan mountain as an umbrella. After this incident, Lord Krishna taught the people of Gokul that they should respect nature and its elements. Annakoot is offered as a symbol of mutual aid between the people of Govardhan and Gokul hills. Annakoot Bhog is prepared from different types of grains and vegetables and offered to Lord Krishna.
This festival highlights the importance of agriculture and food, and reminds us that man should always be grateful to nature. This celebration of Govardhan Puja not only strengthens our religious faith but also inspires us to maintain harmony with nature. Therefore, the Annakoot offering is an integral part of Govardhan Puja, which is a symbol of devotion and dedication.
