Govardhan Puja 2022: Govardhan Puja or Annakoot is celebrated the day after Diwali. This puja is performed on the day of Kartik Shukla Pratipada as per the Hindu calendar. This year Govardhan Puja will be celebrated on Tuesday, 25 October 2022. But there will also be a solar eclipse on this day, due to which this year Govardhan Puja will be celebrated not on the next day of Diwali but on Wednesday 26 October 2022. This festival is specially dedicated to the worship of Shri Krishna, Gau Mata and Govardhan Parvat. Annakuts are made in Govardhan Puja and the shape of Govardhan is made from cow dung. But without parikrama, Govardhan Puja is considered incomplete. Know what is the importance of Parikrama in Govardhan Puja.
Govardhan Puja 2021: Puja/Muhurta Timings
This year the auspicious time of Govardhan Puja is from 6.29 am to 8.43 am.
Govardhan Puja 2022: Significance
According to the legend, Lord Indra got angry when Lord Krishna asked the people of Braj to worship Govardhan mountain and cows. In anger, he made such rain that the lives of the people of Braj were in danger. Then Shri Krishna lifted the Govardhan mountain with his little finger to protect the people of Braj and the people of Braj and for 7 days the animals took shelter under this mountain. Therefore, in Govardhan Puja, people worship this mountain by making the shape of this mountain with cow dung and it is circumambulated seven times.
Govardhan Puja 2021: Worship Method
On Govardhan Puja, people prepare 56 or 108 types of food made of wheat, rice and gram flour. Vegetarian delicacies are then offered to Lord Krishna. To mark the festival, a hill is made out of cow dung called Govardhan and decorated with flowers. Devotees walk around the hill and pray to Lord Govardhan for his well being and protection of their families.
Why Parikrama is necessary for Govardhan Puja
Govardhan Parvat is also known as Giriraj Parvat. Govardhan Parvat is located in Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh, it is 62 feet high mountain. The circumambulation of Giriraj mountain is 21 km, it takes 7-8 hours to circumambulate it. It is believed that those who are unable to visit the Char Dham must circumambulate this mountain once.
Rules of Govardhan Puja
* Do not perform Govardhan Puja alone. Govardhan Puja should be performed only with one’s family, neighbor or relative.
On the courtyard or terrace of the house, worship should be done by making the shape of Govardhan mountain with cow dung.
Govardhan mountain made of cow dung should be circumambulated seven times.
* Parikrama should not be left incomplete in between.
Milk should be offered on the mountain during the circumambulation.