The Story of Govardhan Puja

Govardhan Puja is held on the Pratipada (first day) of the waxing moon in Kartik, the day after Diwali. Traditionally, a small Mount Govardhan is shaped from cow dung in the courtyard, worshipped and walked around. Cows are bathed and decorated. Many dishes are cooked and offered as Annakut, and everyone shares the prasad. In Braj, devotees walk around the real Govardhan hill.

Every year the cowherds of Braj held a big yagya for Indra, god of rain. The boy Krishna asked Nand Baba, 'Who is this worship for?' Nand said, 'Indra sends rain, and from rain come grass and grain.' Krishna replied, 'Our cows graze on Mount Govardhan. It gives us grass, water and shade. We should worship Govardhan, our cows and the Brahmins.'

The people of Braj listened to Krishna and used the yagya offerings to worship Govardhan. Seeing this, Indra grew furious. He commanded the clouds, and pouring rain, storms and hail lashed Braj. People and animals, trembling with fear, came to Krishna for shelter.

Smiling, Krishna lifted Mount Govardhan on the little finger of his left hand, as easily as a child lifts an umbrella. All the people of Braj gathered beneath the mountain with their cows. For seven days the rain poured, and for seven days Krishna stood holding up the mountain.

At last Indra's pride broke. The rain stopped, everyone came out, and Krishna set the mountain back in place. Indra came and asked Krishna's forgiveness. Kamadhenu, the divine cow, bathed Krishna in worship, and he received the name 'Govind'. Since then Govardhan is worshipped on this day.