About Govardhan Puja
Govardhan Puja is celebrated on Kartika Shukla Pratipada, the day after Diwali. According to the Bhagavata Purana, the people of Braj used to worship Indra, the god of rain. Young Krishna encouraged them instead to honour Govardhan hill, the cows and the land that truly sustained them. Indra, angered, sent torrential rains, and Krishna lifted Govardhan on his little finger, sheltering the villagers and their cattle beneath it for seven days until Indra relented.
To remember this, families shape a small Govardhan from cow-dung or clay in the courtyard, decorate it with flowers and lamps, and walk around it in parikrama. Temples prepare Annakut, a "mountain of food" offered to Krishna, sometimes with fifty-six dishes known as chhappan bhog, which is later shared as prasad. Around Mathura, devotees walk the long parikrama of Govardhan hill. Cows are bathed, decorated and fed with care. In Gujarat the day marks the new year, and in Maharashtra and Karnataka it is celebrated as Bali Pratipada or Padwa.
How it is observed
- Making a small Govardhan of cow-dung or clay and worshipping it
- Preparing and offering Annakut or chhappan bhog to Lord Krishna
- Performing parikrama of the Govardhan image or of Govardhan hill
- Bathing, decorating and feeding cows with care
- Sharing prasad with neighbours and visiting temples
Govardhan Puja dates in past and coming years
| Year | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Saturday, 2 November 2024 | Past |
| 2025 | Wednesday, 22 October 2025 | Past |
| 2026 | Tuesday, 10 November 2026 | Next |
| 2027 | Saturday, 30 October 2027 | Upcoming |
| 2028 | Wednesday, 18 October 2028 | Upcoming |
| 2029 | Tuesday, 6 November 2029 | Upcoming |
| 2030 | Sunday, 27 October 2030 | Upcoming |
Dates are calculated from the Panchang for New Delhi. Some regions may observe a day earlier or later.
Across India
Celebrated widely in: Delhi Uttar Pradesh Rajasthan Punjab Chandigarh Uttarakhand Madhya Pradesh Bihar Gujarat Maharashtra
The same season is marked in many ways. Where a region keeps the festival on a different day, its calculated date is shown.
Uttar Pradesh (Braj)
Govardhan Puja, Annakut
Devotees make a Govardhan hill of cow dung or food, offer a mountain of dishes (Annakut) to Krishna and walk around Govardhan hill.
Rajasthan (Nathdwara)
Annakut
Shrinathji is offered a huge mound of rice and dishes, which is later taken as prasad by local tribal communities.
Gujarat
Bestu Varas
The Gujarati New Year, when people greet each other with "Saal Mubarak", visit temples and start the year with sweets.
Maharashtra
Diwali Padwa, Bali Pratipada
Wives perform aarti of their husbands, couples exchange gifts, and it is an auspicious day for new beginnings.
Karnataka
Bali Padyami
Homes remember the generous King Bali, make his images and welcome him with lamps.
Observed as the new year in Gujarat and as Bali Pratipada or Diwali Padwa in Maharashtra and Karnataka.
← All festivals