Just a day after Diwali, Govardhan Puja 2022 is celebrated with great enthusiasm in large parts of India. Where the first three days of the five-day festival are prayed for wealth, prosperity and well-being. The fourth day i.e. Govardhan Puja is celebrated to thank all the deities and kuldevta for their blessings and support throughout the entire year. Just as Diwali is celebrated with great fanfare, worship also has a special significance. It is a 5-day festival in which every day has its own meaning. Similarly, worship also has its special meaning.
When is Govardhan Puja 2022?
According to the Hindu calendar, Govardhan Puja is celebrate on the first lunar of ‘Ekam’ or Shukla Paksha in the month of Kartik. This festival is a major part of Hindu’s festival celebrations. This year Govardhan Puja is on October 25, 2022.
Meaning of Govardhan Puja
The auspicious festival of Govardhan Puja celebrated on the next day of Diwali, is celebrated to commemorate the Leela of Lord Krishna. This year this festival is held on 25 October 2022. It has a special significance in Hindu mythology. Because on this day Krishna ‘Kanha’ lifted the Govardhan mountain on his little finger and save the lives of many villagers and animals from the wrath of Indra Dev. At the same time defeat them and make them realize their mistake. Therefore, the puja is performed on the next day of Diwali. According to the Hindu calendar, this festival is celebrated on the day of Shukla Paksha, Pratipada Tithi in the month of Bhakt Kartik. It is also known as Annakoot Puja. Worshipers of Lord Krishna offer him wheat, rice, gram flour vegetables and leafy vegetables.
Govardhan Puja Shubh Muhurat
The auspicious time of this festival is 25 October 2022 as per the date. According to Panchang, Muhurta Govardhan Puja is from 6:33 AM to 8:48 AM on 25 October.
History
According to Hindu mythology, a young and inquisitive Lord Krishna once asked his father Nanda Maharaja for one. The question was why people of Braj worship Lord Indra? In reply, he said to get the grace of Indra and plenty of rainwater. But Lord Krishna advised people to work instead of paying attention to it. This angered Lord Indra. Because of the rain, they created havoc in Vrindavan. The people of Braj called Lord Krishna for help. He then managed the situation and lifted Govardhan Parvat on his little finger and the people of Braj took shelter under Govardhan Parvat for seven days without feeling hunger and thirst. In this way, Lord Krishna defeated Lord Indra and also saved the Braj people from his wrath.
Worshipping Krishna in Govardhan Puja 2022?
Lord Krishna gave the people of Braj a mountain full of food. Hence on this day all devotees worship Lord Krishna and seek his blessings. Food plays an important role in this worship. Apart from this, the worshipers of Lord Krishna do bhajans and kirtans as well as light many diya on this festival and also clean and decorate their homes. This year Govardhan Puja is on October 25, 2022. Annakoot is celebrated on the fourth day of Diwali. The fourth day of Diwali is celebrated as the first day of the new year in the Vikram Samvat calendar. This festival is celebrated by most Hindu sects across India and abroad.
Why is Govardhan Puja 2022 celebrated?
Lord Krishna’s victory over Lord Indra is celebrated in this festival where Lord Krishna saved the people of his village from the wrath of Lord Indra with the help of Mount Govardhan. However, the story goes that the people of Vrindavan worshipped Lord Indra during the rainy season for a bountiful harvest. Lord Krishna taught everyone in his village the importance of protecting nature because of the abundant rain and fought against Lord Indra, causing Indra to cause heavy rain in the village, but Krishna protected everyone under the mighty Govardhan mountain. . For this reason, people celebrate the festival to celebrate the glory of Krishna and to remember the importance of Govardhan.
Different forms of the festival?
In Gujarat, the day calls for the celebration of the Gujarati New Year, while in Maharashtra, Govardhan Puja is celebrated as “Bali Padwa” or “Bali Pratipada”. According to legends, Vamana, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, defeated Bali and pushed him into the ‘Patal Lok’, hence it is believed that King Bali comes to earth on this day. This holiday is also celebrated as ‘Vishwakarma Day’ in many parts of the country where people worship their tools and implements.
Govardhan puja method?
The Govardhan Puja is associated with many rituals, traditions and customs. The puja begins with devotees making a mound with the help of cow dung in the form of a hill to represent Govardhan Parvat and offer it flowers, kumkum and Prashad. Then circumambulate that hill with cow dung and worship Govardhan Parvat for the safety, happiness and prosperity of their families. In the Govardhan Puja, people bathe their cows, and bulls to worship them with kumkum, saffron and garlands. Annakoot Puja is also an integral part of Govardhan Puja. Where favourite fifty-six bhogs are offered to Lord Krishna and Govardhan Aarti is performed just after the “Annakoot Prasad” later share that Prashad with family and friends.
How is Govardhan Puja 2022 celebrated?
Govardhan Puja is celebrated with utmost devotion and divine feeling in Mathura, Gokul and all over the world. The pilgrimage site of Braj is visited on this day by thousands of devotees who offer food to the mountain after performing ‘parikrama’ on an eleven-mile path around that hill and offer flowers, devotional feeling, and lord Krishna’s favourite food to the many temples there.
Importance of food in Annakoot?
Annakoot means mountain of food. The preparation of annakut is an integral part of Govardhan festival celebrations. On this day, Lord Krishna’s temples are decorated all over the country. Also ‘Thal’ or ‘Kirtan’ is another important aspect of Govardhan Puja 2022 celebrations on this day.
Devotional hymns are recited in all the temples of Lord Krishna. Food prepared for Govardhan Puja plays an important role. On this day Krishna is offered in the form of a mountain of food. Fruits, vegetarian dishes, and grains like wheat are offered as prasad. ‘Annakut ki Sabzi’ is one of the popular vegetarian dishes prepared on the occasion. In some places, Chappan Bhog is also made like Janmashtami. Popular delicacies like Kheer, Laddu, Panjiri, Panchamrit, Suji Ka Halwa, Cashew Barfi and Makhan-based dishes are also offered as offerings to Lord Krishna.
What to do and what not to do on the day of Govardhan Puja?
- Never perform Govardhan Puja in a closed room. Worshipping in a closed room is considered very inauspicious.
- This festival is associated with the mother cow. This auspicious festival is incomplete without the blessings of Gau Mata. Actually, it is related to Lord Krishna, called Gopala – the one who reared the calves. Therefore, worshipping them and worship of cow mothers must be done.
- Do not wear dirty clothes on this day. Make sure you wear clean clothes during Govardhan Parikrama.
- Family members should perform Govardhan Puja together. Worshipping separately is considered inauspicious.
- On the other hand, do not wear black clothes on the day of Govardhan Puja. Wear light yellow or orange coloured clothes on this day. It brings good luck in the life of the native.
- Along with this, always do Govardhan Parikrama barefoot. People troubled by health-related problems can wear rubber or cloth shoes.
- Never leave Govardhan Parikrama incomplete. Leaving Govardhan Parikrama in the middle is considered inauspicious.
- Do not consume alcohol or meat on this day.
- Avoid consuming any kind of intoxicant while worshipping.
