Tuesday, November 10, 2026
Celebrates Lord Krishna lifting Mount Govardhan on his little finger to protect the villagers of Vrindavan from Lord Indra's torrential rains. Devotees create mini mountains from cow dung representing Govardhan and offer Annakut — 56 varieties of food — to Krishna.
Dedicated to Lord Krishna as Govardhan Dhari and Govardhan Parvat
Early in the morning, collect fresh cow dung and shape it into a small mountain representing Mount Govardhan. Decorate with flowers, leaves, and tiny clay figures of Krishna, cows, gopis, and trees on top. Some families use a painted image instead.
Sit facing north-east with water and flowers in your right palm. Take Sankalp — dedicating the Govardhan Puja to Lord Krishna in his form as Govardhan Dhari, who lifted Mount Govardhan to save Vraj from Indra's wrath.
ॐ अद्य कार्तिक शुक्ल प्रतिपदायां गोवर्धन पूजनम् अन्नकूट महोत्सवम् च करिष्ये।
Worship Lord Ganesha with durva, flowers, and akshat.
ॐ गं गणपतये नमः॥
Invoke Lord Krishna as Govardhan Dhari into the clay mountain. Visualise Krishna lifting the mountain on his little finger while the villagers of Vraj take shelter beneath it.
गोवर्धनधराधार गोपाल गोकुल वल्लभ। यशोदानन्दन वीर नन्दगोपप्रिय कुमार॥
Perform the sixteen upacharas for Govardhan / Krishna — Asana, Padya, Arghya, Achamaniya, Snana (panchamrit), Vastra (yellow silk), Gandha (chandan), Akshat, Pushpa (tulsi and yellow flowers), Dhupa, Deepa, Naivedya, Tambula, Pradakshina, Namaskar.
ॐ श्रीकृष्णाय नमः॥ ॐ गोवर्धनाय नमः॥
Prepare the Annakut — traditionally 56 different food items (chappan bhog) arranged in a pyramidal formation around the Govardhan clay mountain. Include rice, dal, sabji, puri, kachori, laddoo, barfi, halwa, kheer, and seasonal fruits. This is an offering of abundance to Krishna.
Offer the Annakut to Lord Krishna with the Annakut mantra. Wave incense and camphor around the bhog. Chant 'Govinda Govinda' as you offer. This is the most iconic aspect of Govardhan Puja — the mountain of food offered to the lifter of Mount Govardhan.
ॐ गोविन्दाय नमः॥
Circumambulate the clay Govardhan mountain seven times — symbolic of the 7-yojana circumambulation of the real Mount Govardhan in Vraj. Sing bhajans to Krishna throughout. Recite the Govardhan Ashtakam.
If possible, worship a real cow — the cow is considered a form of Lakshmi and is beloved to Krishna. Apply tilak to the cow's forehead, offer fresh grass, jaggery, and water. Touch her feet for blessings. Tie a moli thread around her horn.
Perform the Govardhan Aarti with camphor, singing 'Shri Govardhan Maharaj Ki Jai'. Distribute the Annakut as prasad to all family members, neighbours, and the needy. The Annakut feeds many and symbolises Krishna's abundance and grace.
This guide reflects classical Parashari tradition. Regional variations exist — consult a family priest for specifics.