Govardhan Puja

Sunday, October 18, 2009
11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Watch a slideshow of a past Govardhan Puja...

Once in Braj, people were preparing many varieties of food to offer to god Indra, the king of the celestial abodes, so that he would provide plenty of rain for their crops and cattle. The little son of Nand, Krishn, told them to stop worshipping celestial god Indra and to direct their devotion to Govardhan hill which is the embodiment of God Himself. Thus, all the food that was prepared to be offered to Indra, was offered to Govardhan hill. At that moment, Lord Krishn appeared on the hilltop as Govardhan God and accepted all the offerings.

Govardhan Puja (गोवर्धन पूजा) is celebrated the day after Divali. At Barsana Dham, depending on the weather, we may celebrate this festival inside or outside. When we celebrate inside, we build a Govardhan hill on the stage in the Temple. We sing bhajans and pads that celebrate the greatness of Govardhan hill and the leelas associated with this favorite place of Krishn's pastimes with His Gwalbal friends. When we celebrate outside, we do parikrama from the Temple steps to our Govardhan hill and circumambulate it while dancing joyously and chanting nam sankirtan in praise of our Govardhan Dhari, Krishn. Whether outside or inside, we then offer a delicious meal of devotionally prepared foods and sweets to Govardhan and shower flowers on Him. Dinner prasad is then enjoyed by all those present.