Govardhan Puja – The Day Lord Krishna Lifted the Mountain of Faith
Among the five sacred days of the Diwali festival, the day following the main Diwali celebration holds special spiritual significance. This day is known as Govardhan Puja, also called Annakut in many regions of India.
It commemorates the divine act of Lord Krishna defeating the arrogance of Lord Indra, the god of rain. According to Hindu scriptures, when the people of Gokul used to worship Indra for timely rains, young Krishna advised them to instead honor Govardhan Parvat, the mountain that nourished their cattle and crops. Offended by this, Indra sent torrential rains to punish the villagers.
To protect them, Lord Krishna lifted the entire Govardhan mountain on his little finger and held it for seven days and nights, providing shelter to all beings beneath it. Realizing his mistake, Indra bowed to Krishna’s divine power, symbolizing the victory of humility and devotion over pride.
🌿 When is Govardhan Puja Celebrated?
Govardhan Puja is observed on the fourth day of the Diwali festival, that is, the day after Lakshmi Puja (main Diwali day).
In 2025, Govardhan Puja will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 21 (according to the lunar calendar date).
It is also known as Annakut, meaning “mountain of food.” On this day, devotees prepare a variety of dishes and offer them to Lord Krishna as a gesture of gratitude for his protection and blessings. The offerings, often arranged in the form of a small hill, symbolize Govardhan Parvat itself.
In North India, the festival is marked by building Govardhan-shaped mounds of cow dung, decorated with flowers and worshipped with lamps and prayers. In Gujarat, the same day is celebrated as Bali Pratipada or Padwa, marking the return of the demon king Bali to earth, symbolizing generosity and dharma.
✨ Spiritual Significance
Govardhan Puja teaches a timeless lesson:
Faith and humility are greater than power and pride. It reminds devotees to live in harmony with nature and express gratitude to the divine for sustenance and protection.
By celebrating Govardhan Puja, devotees reaffirm their belief that God protects those who surrender with love and faith, just as Lord Krishna sheltered the people of Gokul beneath Govardhan Hill.
🌟 In Summary
The day of Diwali commemorating Krishna’s defeat of Indra is called Govardhan Puja, also known as Annakut in many regions.
It celebrates devotion over ego, gratitude over arrogance, and nature’s grace over human pride — the true spirit of Diwali’s light.