Govardhan Puja 2025 – Date, Rituals, Significance, and How to Perform Annakut at Home

In 2025, Govardhan Puja will be celebrated on Wednesday, 22nd October, marking the fourth day of the five-day Diwali festival.

Govardhan Puja 2025 – Date and Muhurat

• Date: Wednesday, 22nd October 2025
• Pratipada Tithi Begins: 21st October at 10:43 PM
• Pratipada Tithi Ends: 22nd October at 11:18 PM
• Govardhan Puja Muhurat: 6:15 AM to 8:42 AM IST (Morning rituals are ideal)

Why is Govardhan Puja Celebrated?

• As described in Bhagavata Purana, Lord Krishna urged the villagers to worship nature and Govardhan Hill instead of appeasing Lord Indra
• Angered by this, Indra unleashed a devastating storm. To protect the people, Krishna lifted Govardhan Hill with his little finger for seven days
• This festival celebrates nature’s sanctity, Krishna’s compassion, and the balance between human life and ecology

Govardhan Puja reminds us of the value of humility, the power of devotion, and the need to respect Anna (food) and Bhumi Devi (Mother Earth).

Rituals of Govardhan Puja and Annakut Offering

1. Govardhan Hill Representation at Home

• Create a small hill-like structure using turmeric rice, cow dung, flour, or clay
• Decorate it with flowers, pulses, turmeric, and small paper or clay animals
• Place a Krishna idol next to it and perform parikrama (circumambulation) 7 times

2. Annakut (Mountain of Food)

• Prepare a variety of vegetarian dishes, symbolizing gratitude for nature’s bounty
• Include items like puri, halwa, chana, kheer, dry fruits, and pickles
• Arrange them in tiers or a circular pattern, resembling a mountain, in front of the deity

Even offering 7 to 11 items with devotion is spiritually meaningful.

3. Govardhan Puja Vidhi

• Light a ghee diya, offer tulsi leaves, flowers, incense, and freshly cooked food (bhog)
• Chant simple Krishna mantras such as:
  • “Govardhan Giridhari Jai”
  • “Om Devadidevaya Namah”
• Perform aarti and distribute Annakut prasad to all present

4. Cow Worship (Go Puja)

• Bathe and decorate cows and bulls with haldi-kumkum, flowers, and cloth
• Offer jaggery, water, rice, and green fodder
• Gently touch the cow’s feet as a sign of reverence and gratitude

Cultural Observances Across India

• Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana: Traditional cow dung Govardhan hills are made outside homes and temples
• Gujarat and Maharashtra: Annakut Darshan is popular in temples and homes, featuring 108+ dishes prepared by families and communities
• Bihar and Madhya Pradesh: The rituals focus on family-based puja, food offerings, and community bhajans
• South India: The day blends with post-Diwali Tulsi worship and continues Deepavali traditions, emphasizing food sharing and charity

Spiritual and Ecological Significance

• Reinforces the importance of food sanctity (Anna Brahma)
• Encourages respect for cows, nature, and sustainable living
• Promotes gratitude, humility, and community bonding through food offerings
• Reminds devotees that divine protection comes through faith and dharma, not fear or appeasement

How to Celebrate Govardhan Puja at Home

• Wake early, clean the house and setup a puja altar with Krishna Murti and Govardhan model
• Cook or arrange a variety of dishes, even simple ones like puri, sabzi, sweets, and rice
• Invite family and children to help with preparations, decoration, and aarti
• Perform bhajans, mantras, and distribute prasad
• Offer food or grains to cows or donate annam (food) to those in need

Book Pandit for Govardhan Puja or Annakut Celebrations

BookMyPooja offers:

• Govardhan Puja, Annakut Archana, and Krishna Aarti
• Region-specific priests in Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, Kannada, Telugu, and Tamil traditions
• Online and doorstep puja services with complete samagri kit and instructions

To book your Govardhan Puja, visit www.BookMyPoojaOnline.com or call 9869 92 92 92.

Let Govardhan Puja 2025 remind your home and heart of the divine circle of gratitude, nature, and nourishment.