Govardhan Puja 2021: The festival of lights, Diwali is being celebrated all over the country and with it, comes a series of festivities that are packed with excitement and festive cheer, which is hard to resist. It is the time when friends and family come together to celebrate this festival of lights with delicious food and beautiful gifts. Diwali is one of the most popular festivals in our country, and Indians across the globe celebrate it with much fervour. From decorating the house with lights and diyas, wearing new clothes and performing Laxmi puja to preparing a host of delicacies, this festival of lights is one of the biggest festivals of Indian subcontinent.
The festival of Diwali is a five-day extravaganza that begins with Dhanteras, followed by Chhoti Diwali, Diwali, Govardhan Puja and ends with Bhai Dooj. Govardhan puja that falls on the fourth day of the festivities is celebrated with immense fervour in Hindu households, especially the followers of Lord Krishna who is also known as Govardhan Dhari.
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Govardhan Puja 2021: Govardhan Puja Date And Time
Govardhan Puja is also referred to as the Annakut Puja falls on November 5th this year.
Govardhan Puja Pratahkala Muhurat - 06:35 AM to 08:47 AM
Govardhan Puja Sayankala Muhurat - 03:21 PM to 05:33 PM
Pratipada Tithi Begins - 02:44 AM on Nov 05, 2021
Pratipada Tithi Ends - 11:14 PM on Nov 05, 2021
(Source: Drikpanchang.com)
Govardhan Puja 2021: Significance And History Of Govardhan Puja Or Annakut Puja
The day of Govardhan Puja is tied with the great legend of Lord Krishna and the Govardhan parvat (mountain). According to the scriptures - in order to please the God of rains, Lord Indra - people in Vrindavan used to offer grand and lavish meals to bless them with timely rainfall and good harvest. Little Krishna found this practice too hard for the farmers and persuaded them to stop offering it to the God and instead feed the same to their families. When Lord Indra didn't find his offerings, he angrily sent down a thunderstorm that went on for days. Out of fear for their lives, the villagers approached Lord Krishna for help who then took them to Govardhan hill. He lifted the entire Govardhan parvat on his little finger and gathered everyone under it for shelter. He stood there lifting the hill without moving for seven days until Lord Indra had to bow to the might of Lord Krishna and stop the rain.
Foods To Celebrate Govardhan Puja 2021
It is said that since Lord Krishna did not move for seven days, he did not had a single morsel of food in all those days. So since this incident the devotees decided to make up for it with a lavish chappan bhog (a meal consisting 56 items like halwa, makhan mishri, jalebi, ladoos, pakoda, khichdi and peda). And that is how even today many pilgrims visit the Govardhan Parvat and offer food to Lord Krishna on the day of Govardhan Puja or offer 56 food items to him in their homes. People also literally make a mountain of food to offer Lord Krishna, called Annakoot.
Here's wishing everyone a happy Govardhan Puja 2021!
About Aanchal MathurAanchal doesn't share food. A cake in her vicinity is sure to disappear in a record time of 10 seconds. Besides loading up on sugar, she loves bingeing on FRIENDS with a plate of momos. Most likely to find her soulmate on a food app.