Govardhan Puja Vidhi

Govardhan Puja is celebrated on the next day after Diwali. It is a festival that commemorates the divine incident when Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhan Hill to protect the people of Vrindavan from the wrath of Lord Indra. This puja is also known as Annakut Puja and is dedicated to expressing gratitude towards nature and the divine protector – Lord Krishna.

🌿 Significance of Govardhan Puja

Spiritually, Govardhan Puja marks the supremacy of **devotion over ritualism**. Lord Krishna inspired the people to worship the **Govardhan Hill**, cows, and natural elements instead of propitiating the rain god Indra. The festival reminds us to honor and preserve nature and cattle, which are vital to agrarian life.Govardhan Puja is generally performed in the morning. Make a model of Govardhan parvat (mountain) using garden soil. Decorate it as if you are decorating lord Krishna. Use mukut, bansuri, flower, tilak etc to form and image of Lord krishna. Offering 2 sticks of sugarcane, curd, unboiled milk and sweets. Light the lamp and offer roli, chawal. Perform parikrama around the model of mountain i.e. Govardhanji.

Govardhan Puja Katha

Govardhan Puja is celebrated the day after Diwali to commemorate Lord Krishna's divine act of lifting the Govardhan Hill to protect the people of Vrindavan from Indra's wrath. Here is the sacred story behind this festival:

The Arrogance of Indra

In ancient times, the people of Vrindavan used to worship Lord Indra, the god of rain, every year to ensure good rains for their crops. They believed that their prosperity depended on Indra's blessings.

One year, young Krishna questioned this practice. He asked his father Nanda Maharaj: "Why do we worship Indra? We should instead worship Govardhan Hill which provides us with fresh grass for our cows, herbs, and pure water. Our cows graze on Govardhan and it sustains our lives."

Indra's Wrath

When Indra learned that the villagers had stopped worshipping him, he became furious. Considering it an insult to his authority, he sent devastating rains and thunderstorms to flood Vrindavan and teach the villagers a lesson.

The terrified villagers approached Krishna for protection. Seeing their distress, young Krishna lifted the entire Govardhan Hill with his little finger, creating a gigantic umbrella. All the villagers took shelter under the hill along with their cattle.

The Divine Protection

For seven days and nights, Krishna held up Govardhan Hill while Indra continued pouring rain. Finally, realizing Krishna's divine power, Indra stopped the rains and came to apologize. He bowed before Krishna, understanding that he was no ordinary cowherd boy but the Supreme Lord himself.

The Tradition of Govardhan Puja

To commemorate this event, Hindus celebrate Govardhan Puja by:

• Preparing a mountain-shaped offering of food (Annakut)
• Worshipping Govardhan Hill (or its symbolic representation)
• Circumambulating the hill or its replica
• Offering 56 food items (Chhappan Bhog) to Krishna

🙏 Govardhan Puja Vidhi (Step-by-step Ritual)

Performing this puja at home is simple and fulfilling. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Clean the puja area early in the morning and draw a small Govardhan hill (using cow dung or mud) on a wooden platform or clean floor.
2. Decorate the hill with flowers, rice, and miniature cows or Krishna idols.
3. Offer a variety of vegetarian food items (bhog) known as “Annakut”.
4. Perform aarti using a diya, incense sticks, and ring bells.
5. Chant the following mantras with devotion.

🕉️ Powerful Mantras for Govardhan Puja

Chant these sacred mantras during the aarti and puja:

• Govardhan Dharan Mantra:
  ॐ नमः गोवर्धनधारिणे नमः।
• Krishna Aarti Mantra:
  आरती कुंजबिहारी की, श्री गिरिधर कृष्ण मुरारी की।
• Gou Mata Mantra:
  ॐ सर्वदेवमयी मातः सर्वतीर्थमयी धरा।
  सर्ववेदमयी गौरी त्राहिमां शरणागतम्॥

🍛 Importance of Annakut

On Govardhan Puja, devotees prepare an elaborate feast called “Annakut”, meaning “mountain of food”. It consists of sweets, rice dishes, vegetables, and snacks arranged in the form of a hill, symbolic of Govardhan. It is later distributed as prasad.

🌸 Devotional Insight

Govardhan Puja isn't just about rituals; it teaches us humility, faith in divine protection, and respect for nature. Performing this puja with a pure heart helps cultivate inner strength and removes negativity from life.

🤔 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

🔚 Conclusion

Govardhan Puja is a divine opportunity to connect with Lord Krishna and acknowledge the power of nature. Celebrated a day after Diwali, it adds spiritual depth to the festive season. Whether you're in a temple or at home, performing Govardhan Puja with love and gratitude brings immense peace and blessings.

Book

Sai Baba Mantras for Daily Chanting

Benefits of Performing Sai Baba Puja

Benefit	Description
Peace of Mind	Removes stress and brings mental calmness through devotion and surrender.
Health Recovery	Many devotees have reported healing and miraculous recoveries by praying to Sai Baba.
Financial Stability	Helps remove obstacles and grants opportunities for growth and prosperity.
Relationship Harmony	Improves understanding, forgiveness, and family bonding.
Spiritual Growth	Deepens one’s inner journey and detachment from egoistic desires.

Best Day to Perform Sai Baba Puja

Thursday is considered the most auspicious day for performing Sai Baba Puja. Many devotees also observe a fast and visit Sai temples. However, Sai Baba welcomes worship on any day — what truly matters is your bhakti (devotion).

Conclusion

Sai Baba’s divine presence is felt by those who call upon him with sincere faith. His puja can be simple, yet immensely powerful. Whether you are facing challenges or walking a spiritual path, chanting his name and performing his puja with love can lead you toward a miraculous transformation. Remember, Baba never leaves the hand of those who surrender to him.