The months of October and November are regarded as the festive season in India, with the major Hindu festivals like Karwa Chauth, Dussehra, Diwali and Bhai Dooj falling in these months. One of the popular Hindu festivals which are celebrated in this time period is Govardhan Puja, falling right on the day next to Diwali, or sometimes a day after that. It falls on the day or tithi of Pratipada in the Hindu calendar month of Kartik. It also coincides with the first day of the Gujarati New Year. This festival commemorates the defeat of rain God Indra by Lord Krishna. The same day is celebrated as Bali Pratipada in the state of Maharashtra and it marks the defeat of King Bali by Vamana, one of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu. After being defeated, King Bali was sent to Patala Loka.
Govardhan Puja Vidhi
Also known by the name of Annakut Puja, this festival is celebrated by preparing chappan Bhog or 56 types of foods and offering them to Lord Krishna. It involves the worship of Lord Govardhan, which is represented by an idol created using cow dung, while some people also use a picture of the deity. The 56 varieties of food offered to the deity include rice, curry, wheat, leafy vegetables known as satsaga, unboiled milk, curd, ladoo, peda and numerous varieties of sweets, fruits and nuts. Additionally, two sticks of sugarcane are also offered to Lord Govardhan. A Deepak and some incense sticks are lighted and four parikramas (circles) are done around the idol. On this day, Goddess Laxmi is worshipped again after Laxmi Puja on Diwali a day before. This auspicious festival is celebrated with great joy and gusto in temples and households across the country and people collect different varieties of food with great enthusiasm.
Also Read: Krishna Janamashtmi Date, Shubh Mahurat, Puja Vidhi & Mantra in Hindi
Govardhan Best Shubh Puja Mahurat
Govardhan Puja Pratahkal Mahurat from 6:36 to 8:47
Duration 2 hours 11 minutes
Govardhan Puja Sayankal Mahurat from 15:21 to 17:32
Duration 2 hours 11 minutes
Pratipada Tithi Begins at 23:08 on 30th October, 2016
Pratipada Tithi Ends at 01:39 on 1st November, 2016