The fourth day of the auspicious day Diwali is observed as Govardhan Puja,
Govardhan is a duple of Lord Krishna. For Govardhan Puja also known as Annakut,
a mountain of food is decorated symbolizing Govardhan mountain said to be
lifted by Lord Krishna to save the people from the wrath of Lord Indra, the God
of Rains.
The puja is performed
with great enthusiasm in north India, there is a tradition of building cow dung
hillocks symbolizing Mount Govardhan, the mount which once was lifted by Lord
Krishna. After building this mount, people decorate it with flowers and then
worship them. They revolve around the mount offering prayers to lord Krishna.
In some parts of North India Govardhan Puja forms an important part of the
Diwali celebration. In Maharashtra, it is celebrated as Padva or Bali
Pratipada. The day commemorates King Bali. Men gifts to their wives on this
day. In Haryana and Gujrat, it is celebrated as New Year, as Vikrami Sanvat
starts on this day.
The legend regarding Govardhan puja ways back to 5000 years ago says that
this ceremony was performed when Lord Krishna stopped the people of Vrindavan
dham worshiping Lord Indra because Lord Indra had became too proud of himself
so lord Krishna completely stopped it and told the inhabitants of Vrindavan to
worship Govardhan till this day symbolizes the victory of knowledge over pride. Govardhan puja is part of 5 day Diwali festival. This year Govardhan puja is on 24 October.
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