Govardhan Puja 2025: Date, Muhurat, Puja Rituals, Annakut Significance & Celebration Details

Govardhan Puja 2025

Introduction

Govardhan Puja 2025 is celebrated with great devotion by Hindus all across India. The festival honors Lord Krishna and commemorates the day when He lifted Govardhan Hill to protect the villagers of Gokul from Lord Indra’s wrath.

Also known as Annakut Puja, this day symbolizes gratitude, humility, and faith. Devotees prepare grand food offerings, perform rituals, and participate in community feasts to express their thanks to nature and the divine protector, Shri Krishna.

Govardhan Puja 2025: Date and Time

The Govardhan Puja in 2025 falls on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. It is celebrated on the Pratipada Tithi of Shukla Paksha in the month of Kartik, just after Diwali.

Event	Date	Time
Pratipada Tithi Begins	October 21, 2025	05:54 PM
Pratipada Tithi Ends	October 22, 2025	08:16 PM
Govardhan Puja (Morning Muhurat)	October 22, 2025	06:26 AM – 08:42 AM
Govardhan Puja (Evening Muhurat)	October 22, 2025	03:29 PM – 05:44 PM

Devotees can perform the Annakut and Govardhan Puja rituals during either the morning or evening Muhurat for maximum spiritual benefits.

Significance of Govardhan Puja

The festival holds deep spiritual and cultural significance. According to the Bhagavat Purana, villagers in Gokul used to worship Lord Indra, the god of rain.

However, Lord Krishna advised them to instead worship Govardhan Hill, which provided them with fertile soil, crops, and natural resources.

When Indra grew angry and caused torrential rain, Krishna lifted Govardhan Hill on His little finger to shelter the villagers and their cattle.

This event symbolizes:

• Protection from arrogance and ego
• Faith in divine power
• Gratitude toward nature

Thus, Govardhan Puja reminds us to stay humble, thankful, and in harmony with the environment.

Govardhan Puja Celebrations Across India

The victory of Lord Krishna over Indra is celebrated with enthusiasm throughout India.

• Temples dedicated to Krishna are decorated with flowers, diyas, and lights.
• Devotees prepare Bhog Prasad and perform special Aarti.
• States like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab, and Haryana celebrate with great zeal.
• In Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, devotees make cow dung hillocks symbolizing Mount Govardhan and perform Parikrama (circumambulation).
• In Maharashtra, this day is known as Padwa, when men traditionally give gifts.
• In Gujarat, it is celebrated as Bestu Baras, marking the New Year of Vikram Samvat.
• In some regions, it is also observed as Vishwakarma Day, where people worship their tools, vehicles, and machinery.

Govardhan Puja, also known as Annakut Puja, is celebrated on the fourth day of Diwali to honor Lord Krishna’s victory over Lord Indra. This day symbolizes the triumph of faith and devotion over arrogance and pride. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhan Hill on his little finger to protect the people of Vrindavan from the torrential rains sent by Lord Indra.

Divine Offerings and Decorations

On this auspicious day, devotees prepare Bhog Prasad to offer Lord Krishna. Temples dedicated to him are beautifully decorated with diyas, flowers, and colorful lights, creating a divine and festive atmosphere. The offering of food, known as Annakut, includes 56 varieties of dishes, representing gratitude to nature and the divine.

Regional Celebrations Across India

Govardhan Puja is celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm, especially in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab, and Haryana. Each region has its own unique way of celebrating the festival:

• In Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, people make hillocks from cow dung to represent Mount Govardhan. These hillocks are decorated with flowers, akshat (rice), and kumkum, and devotees perform Parikrama (circumambulation) around them as a symbol of respect and devotion.
• In some regions, cows and bulls are bathed, worshipped, and adorned with garlands, as they are considered sacred and connected to Lord Krishna.

Padwa and Vishwakarma Day

In Maharashtra, the same day is observed as Padwa (also known as Bali Pratipada). It marks the bond between husbands and wives, and traditionally, men present gifts to their spouses as a token of love and appreciation.

In many parts of India, this day is also celebrated as Vishwakarma Day, where people worship their tools, vehicles, and machinery to honor Lord Vishwakarma, the divine architect.

Bestu Baras in Gujarat

For the people of Gujarat, Govardhan Puja is celebrated as Bestu Baras, which marks the New Year (Vikram Samvat) in the Gujarati calendar. On this day, people start new business ventures, settle old accounts, and pray for prosperity and success in the upcoming year.

Spirit of Govardhan Puja

Govardhan Puja reflects the values of gratitude, community harmony, and devotion. It reminds us of the importance of protecting nature and being humble in the face of divine power. The celebrations unite people across India in joy, devotion, and thankfulness.

Govardhan Puja Rituals

1. Annakut – The Mountain of Offerings

The word Annakut means “Mountain of Food.” Devotees prepare 56 types of bhog (Chhappan Bhog) for Lord Krishna.
This includes fruits, sweets, vegetables, and various vegetarian dishes.

The food is arranged in a circular, hill-like formation symbolizing Govardhan Hill.

This ritual represents abundance, gratitude, and the divine protection of Lord Krishna.

2. Puja and Devotional Prayers

• The Annakut is prepared early in the morning.
• Devotees perform Govardhan Puja with flowers, diyas, incense, and chants.
• People sing Krishna bhajans and devotional songs expressing gratitude to Lord Krishna.
• Offerings are made with pure hearts, seeking blessings for peace and prosperity.

3. Govardhan Parikrama

In the holy towns of Braj, especially around Govardhan Hill (Mathura District), devotees perform Parikrama — walking around the sacred hill.

• The circumambulation symbolizes surrender and purification of sins.
• It is believed that performing Govardhan Parikrama washes away past karma and brings divine blessings.

4. Making Govardhan Hill at Home

Many devotees also make miniature models of Govardhan Hill at home using:

• Clay or cow dung
• Leaves, flowers, and natural colors
• Small idols of Lord Krishna lifting the hill

These eco-friendly models are worshipped with akshat (rice), kumkum, and flowers, keeping the spirit of devotion alive.

5. Community Feasts (Annakut Bhandara)

After the puja, communities organize Annakut or Bhandara – a large public feast.

• The food offered to Lord Krishna is distributed as Prasad.
• People gather, share meals, and celebrate together.
• The feast represents unity, gratitude, and faith among devotees.

It is a day of joy, sharing, and spiritual bonding.

Conclusion

Govardhan Puja 2025 is not just a religious ritual but a beautiful reminder of faith, humility, and harmony with nature.

From preparing the Annakut and making eco-friendly Govardhan Hills to performing Parikrama and sharing Prasad, every aspect of this festival teaches gratitude and community spirit.

On this sacred day, may Lord Krishna bless everyone with protection, happiness, and prosperity.

🌿 “Govardhan Giriraj Ki Jai!” 🌿