Govardhan Puja

Govardhan Puja
Painting of Annakut feast offered to Krishna icons in Nathdwara, late 18th century
Also calledAnnakoot
Observed byHindu
TypeHindu
DatePratipada Tithi of Shukla Paksha in the month of Kartik
FrequencyAnnually
Related toDiwali

Govardhan Puja (IAST: Govardhana-pūjā), also known as Annakut or Annakoot (meaning a “mountain of food”),[1][2][3][4] is a Hindu festival celebrated on the first lunar day of the bright fortnight of the month of Kartika, on the fourth day of Diwali.[5][6] Devotees worship Govardhan Hill and prepare and offer a large variety of vegetarian food to Krishna as a mark of gratitude.[7] For Vaishnavas, this day commemorates the incident in the Bhagavata Purana when Krishna lifted Govardhan Hill to provide the villagers of Vrindavan shelter from torrential rains. This incident symbolizes God offering protection to devotees who take singular refuge in him.[8] Devotees offer a mountain of food, metaphorically representing the Govardhan Hill, to God as a ritual remembrance and to renew their faith in taking refuge in God.[5] The festival is observed by most Hindu denominations all over India and abroad.[citation needed]

It is an important festival in Vaishanava sects, such as the Pushtimarg Sampradaya,[9] Gaudiya Sampradaya[10] and Swaminarayan Sampradaya.[11]

  1. ^ Babb, Lawrence A. (1996-08-01). Absent Lord: Ascetics and Kings in a Jain Ritual Culture. University of California Press. ISBN 9780520917088.
  2. ^ "Govardhan_Puja - Govardhan Puja Legends, Govardhan Pooja Celebrations". festivals.iloveindia.com. Retrieved 2016-04-01.
  3. ^ Richardson, E. Allen (2014-07-29). Seeing Krishna in America: The Bhakti Tradition of Vallabhacharya in India and Its Movement to the West. McFarland. p. 187. ISBN 9780786459735.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ a b Livingston, Morson (2015-07-10). The Hidden Revelation: "My passion is Spirituality; my mission is to end homelessness and hunger.". Xlibris Corporation. ISBN 9781503584082.
  6. ^ Mukundcharandas (2007). Hindu Rites and Rituals: Sentiments, Sacraments and Symbols. India: Swaminarayan Aksharpith. p. 104. ISBN 978-81-7526-356-7.
  7. ^ Mukundcharandas (2007). Hindu Rites & Rituals. India: Swaminarayan Aksharpith. p. 357. ISBN 978-81-7526-356-7.
  8. ^ "3rd Guinness World Record for Annakut". BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. Retrieved 2016-04-01.
  9. ^ Richardson, E. Allen (2014-07-29). Seeing Krishna in America: The Hindu Bhakti Tradition of Vallabhacharya in India and Its Movement to the West. McFarland. p. 25. ISBN 9780786459735.
  10. ^ Richardson, E. Allen (2014-07-29). Seeing Krishna in America: The Hindu Bhakti Tradition of Vallabhacharya in India and Its Movement to the West. McFarland. p. 26. ISBN 9780786459735.
  11. ^ BBC. "Annakut Celebration!". Retrieved 2016-04-01.