Festival · October–November

Govardhan Puja

Also known as Annakut, Bali Pratipada

The day after Diwali, remembering Krishna lifting Govardhan hill to shelter Vraja.

On the Shukla Pratipada of Kartika, Krishna’s lifting of Govardhan hill to protect the people and cattle of Vraja from Indra’s storms is remembered. A hill is shaped from cow dung or food and worshipped, and temples offer an annakut, a mountain of dishes. In Gujarat the day is the new year; in Maharashtra and Karnataka it is Bali Pratipada, honouring King Bali.

Why it is kept

It teaches trust in the divine over fear of the powerful, and gratitude to the earth and to cattle.

Step by step

How to observe it

Make a Govardhan
A small hill is shaped and decorated, then circled in worship.
Offer an annakut
Many dishes are cooked and offered together, then shared as prasad.
Honour cows
Cows are bathed, decorated and fed.

Customs differ between regions, communities and families. Where your family or temple has its own way, follow it.

Fasting

Not a fasting day.

Fasts should suit your health. Children, elders, pregnant women and anyone unwell or on medication should eat, or keep a lighter fast; that is the tradition, not an exception to it.