Govardhan Pooja is celebrated with immense fervor and enthusiasm in Hindu households, especially the ones who are great followers of Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna is also called Govardhan Dhari. The puja is tied to the great legend of Krishna and Mount Govardhan. This festival is also called Annakoot which translates as a mountain of food signifying the importance of Govardhan.
Pratipada Tithi Begins - 02:57 PM on Nov 13, 2023 Pratipada Tithi Ends - 02:37 PM on Nov 14, 2023
Govardhan Puja Muhurat - 06:43 AM to 08:52 AM, Nov 14
Govardhan puja is celebrated to commemorate the history of Govardhan Parbat through which the lives of many people were saved from the critical rain. It is considered that the people of Gokul were used to worshipping the God Indra, also known as the God of rain. But Lord Krishna had to change such type of opinions of the people of Gokul. He told us that you should all worship the Annakut hill or Govardhan Parbat as he is the real God who is nurturing and saving your lives from drastic conditions by giving you food and shelter.
Hence, they started worshipping that mountain in the place of God Indra. By seeing this, Indra became angry and started raining too much in the Gokul. Finally, Lord Krishna saved their lives by lifting the Govardhan hill at his little finger and covering the people of Gokul under it. In this way, proud Indra was defeated by Lord Krishna. Now, the day is celebrated as Govardhan Puja to offer homage to the Govardhan Parbat. Govardhan puja festival is also celebrated as the Annakut.
The day is also celebrated as Padva or Bali Pratipada in Maharashtra as it is considered that the demon King Bali was defeated and pushed to Patal Loka by the Lord Vishnu in the form of Vamana (incarnation of Lord Vishnu).