Govardhan Puja, which falls a day (sometimes two days) after Diwali, is also known as Annakut Puja. This day honours Lord Krishna’s victory over Indra, the God of rain and thunder. In 2025, this auspicious festival will fall on 22nd October. On this day, devotees prepare many different foods made from cereals, grains, pulses, and vegetables to offer to Lord Krishna, and pay homage for his gratitude, abundance, and prosperity.

Why We Celebrate Govardhan Puja

Govardhan Puja is celebrated to mark the day when Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhan Hill on his little finger to protect the villagers of Gokul from torrential rains sent by Lord Indra, the god of rain.

Govardhan Puja 2025 Muhurat

Pratahkala Muhurat (Morning Puja): 06:26 AM to 08:42 AM (Duration: 2 hours 16 minutes)

Sayankala Muhurat (Evening Puja): 03:29 PM to 05:44 PM (Duration: 2 hours 16 minutes)

Govardhan Puja Rituals

One of the most important rituals that is done on Govardhan Puja is cow worship. Cows are sacred in Hindus, and said to be a manifestation of Goddess Lakshmi. This is why cows, calves, and bulls are worshipped with devotion. If you have a cow at home, or are planning to go to a shelter, you can apply red and yellow colours to its body, oil and ochre to its horns, and feed it the first portion of home-cooked food.

Annakut (Food Offering)

Devotees often create a symbolic Govardhan hill at home using cow dung or grains. This is called Annakut. Devotees offer padya (water), arghya, incense, flowers, lamps, naivedya (sweets), betel leaves, and dakshina (gifts) to the Govardhan. On this day, it is considered auspicious to consume milk, curd, ghee, and other dairy products as well.

Govardhan Puja Aarti

Shri Govardhan Maharaj, o Maharaj, tere maathe mukut viraaj raheyo.

Tope paan chadhe, tope phool chadhe,

Tope chadhe doodh ki dhaar.

Tere maathe mukut viraaj raheyo.

Teri saat kos ki parikamma,

Chakleshwar hai vishraam.

Tere maathe mukut viraaj raheyo.

Tere gale mein kantha saaj raheyo,

Thodi pe heera laal.

Tere maathe mukut viraaj raheyo.

Tere kaanan kundal chamak raheyo,

Teri jhaanki bani vishaal.

Tere maathe mukut viraaj raheyo.

Giriraj dharan prabhu teri sharan,

Karo bhakt ka beda paar.

Tere maathe mukut viraaj raheyo.