Did you know that Govardhan puja is an important part of the Diwali celebrations? If you are not aware of the same, read about the significance of this puja and the puja timings. Annakut Puja is a part of the integral part of Govardhan puja.
Diwali or Deepawali is one of the most important festivals for Hindus. The celebrations go on for five days and every day has its importance. Govardhan puja, also known as Annakut puja, occurs post a day of Diwali. The first three days of the festival is all about praying for good health and wealth. The fourth day of the puja revolves around thanking the gods and the goddess for their blessings. At some places, Gudi Padwa is also observed where the newly married women are invited to their maternal home with their husbands to enjoy a feast.
Govardhan Puja this year will happen on November 5. As per the Hindu Calendar, Govardhan Puja will occur on the first lunar day of Shukla Paksha in the month of Kartik.
The Govardhan puja Pratahkala Muhurat is from 06:35 AM to 08:47 AM. On the other side, the Govardhan puja sayankala muhurat is between 03:21 PM and 05:33 PM. Also read: Bhai Dooj 2021: Date, time, significance and recipes for celebration
The importance of Govardhan puja is that Lord Krishna had lifted Govardhan parvat (hill) to save the lives of people from Lord Indra. The famous mythology story says that he had raised the mountain on his little finger, and the people of Gokul had got shelter. The puja is done to worship Lord Krishna along with Chappan (56) bhog. Also read: Diwali 2021: Lighting a 'diya' at home? Follow these 3 Vaastu pointers
On this day, the ardent devotees take heaps of cow dung to make a hill representing Govardhan parvat, and it is decorated with flowers and kumkum. The devotees also take parikrama (rounds) around the cow dung hills. The parvat is worshipped so that the family of the devotees is protected. People also bathe their cows and worship them with garlands made out of saffron.
The Annakut puja is an important part where Chappan bhog is given to Lord Krishna, and then the Govardhan aarti is sung. The Annakut prasad is given to family and friends.