Govardhan Puja Essential Prayers & Practices 2024

Introduction

Govardhan Puja, observed on the fourth day of Diwali, commemorates one of Hinduism’s most cherished narratives. Originating from the magnificent landscape of Vrindavan, this festival pays tribute to Lord Krishna’s protection, affection for his followers, and his respect for nature as symbolized by Mount Govardhan. Also known as Annakut Puja (or “Mountain of Food”), it underscores nature’s bounty, divine safeguarding, and the enduring relationship between the divine and his devotees.

The Mythological Genesis Of Govardhan Puja: A Story Of Devotion And Divine Might

Krishna and Indra’s Ire: This festival can be traced back to an intriguing story from the Bhagavata Purana where a young Krishna observed the people of Vrindavan preparing lavish offerings to placate Lord Indra, the deity of rain. Recognizing the pointlessness of their fear-driven offerings, Krishna questioned his father Nanda Maharaj about why they were making offerings to a deity who did not even dwell among them.

Encouraging his father and villagers to honor Mount Govardhan – a nearby hill that provided them with shelter, fresh water, and grazing pastures – Krishna expressed a revolutionary sentiment: reverence for nature rather than fearful appeasement. Indra’s Fury was executed swiftly, as he released a deluge upon Vrindavan with the intention of submerging the village and asserting his dominance. 

The Lifting of Govardhan Hill : Krishna, undeterred, demonstrated his divine power. Utilizing his little finger, he elevated the entirety of Govardhan Hill, converting it into a protective canopy under which all inhabitants and animals of Vrindavan sought refuge. For an entire week, Krishna maintained the hill in its elevated position, enduring Indra’s incessant tempests until the chastened deity retracted his fury. This act of divine strength and humility symbolized a triumph of love and devotion over fear and awe, designating Govardhan Hill as a sacred site for devotion.

Govardhan Puja’s Spiritual Symbolism: Faith, Community, And Harmony With Nature

Krishna’s lesson to the villagers carried profound symbolism: reverence for nature, safeguarding loved ones, and faith in the power of a community bound by love and respect. This festival embodies these values in every ritual.

Worshiping Nature As Divine

By encouraging his devotees to honor Govardhan Hill, Krishna taught the people to perceive divinity in their natural surroundings. This message remains relevant today as it encourages us to cherish nature’s gifts such as mountains, rivers and forests as sacred entities that sustain life.

Faith And Protection

The narrative illustrates the boundless compassion of Krishna. In his roles as *Gopala* (Protector of Cows) and “Govinda”(Bringer of Joy), he fulfilled his commitment to safeguard the villagers. This demonstrates the “indissoluble bond of trust”  between the divine and his followers, serving as a reminder of the strength derived from unwavering faith.

Unity In Community

Krishna’s act of elevating the hill unified the entire village under a single shelter, symbolizing unity. This facet of the festival continues to be celebrated today as families, friends, and neighbors congregate to express gratitude, underscoring the festival’s capacity to foster community cohesion.

Rituals, Prayers, And The Sacred Annakut Offering

Each ritual associated with Govardhan Puja commemorates Krishna’s protective grace and our dependence on nature’s bounty. From recreating Mount Govardhan to offering elaborate Annakut feasts, these rituals perpetuate Krishna’s timeless teachings.

Crafting Govardhan Hill: A Symbolic Gesture

In tribute to Govardhan Hill, devotees construct small mounds from clay or cow dung, adorning them with flowers, rice, and vibrant rangoli. This mound is often garnished with leaves, grains, and fruits symbolizing “nature’s bounty” and Krishna’s sacred promise. In rural regions of India, bovine excrement is regarded as propitious and environmentally friendly, corresponding with the festival’s naturalistic ethos.

Circumambulation Of Govardhan Hill

In the city of Vrindavan, a multitude of pilgrims undertake a circumambulation, known as parikrama, around the 22-kilometer periphery of Govardhan Hill. This act symbolizes a journey of devotion, humility, and endurance. The symbolic walk signifies the pilgrimage through life where faith in divine protection fortifies each stride. For those unable to physically visit the location, circumambulating around a makeshift hill at home serves as an homage to Krishna’s protective grace.

Shlokas And Bhajans: Proclaiming Krishna’s Glory

The Govardhan Puja is characterized by devotional songs that extol Krishna’s bravery, affection, and protection. The recitation of Krishna’s 108 names including Madhava (One Who Brings Sweetness) and Gopala permeates the air with reverence, reinforcing the connection to his attributes:

   श्री गोवर्धन धराय नमः

  “Shree Govardhan Dharaaya Namah” –“Salutations to the one who lifted Mount Govardhan.”

Devotional hymns, known as bhajans, which were popularized by medieval saints such as Mirabai and Surdas, invoke the benevolent deeds of Krishna and unite families in prayer, thereby connecting generations through mutual reverence.

Annakut Offering: A Feast of Gratitude

Annakut, also referred to as the “Mountain of Food,” embodies Krishna’s teachings on gratitude for nature’s bounty. Families prepare a diverse array of dishes—rice, dal, puris, sweets, fruits, and grains—arranged in a mound that symbolizes Govardhan Hill. Traditional dishes include:

Sweets : Ladoo, kheer, and barfi are symbolic of joy and celebration.

Savories : Puri, dal, and sabzi represent sustenance and nourishment.

Fruits and Grains : These honor Earth’s gifts and celebrate agricultural prosperity.

The Annakut feast signifies both prosperity and humility; it is an expression of gratitude towards Krishna. As the food is later distributed as prasad (a religious offering), it embodies Krishna’s blessings and strengthens community ties.

Cultural Variations Of Govardhan Puja Across India

While the fundamental rituals remain consistent across regions, the practices associated with Govardhan Puja vary geographically. Each region enriches the festival with its unique customs and traditions.

In the state of Maharashtra, Govardhan Puja is observed as a celebration of the commencement of a new agricultural cycle. The farming community pays tribute to their livestock, embellishes their farmlands, and partakes in feasts that celebrate the harvest. This occasion merges the jubilation of Diwali with an expression of gratitude for agricultural abundance.

In the state of Gujarat, Govardhan Puja aligns with the Gujarati New Year. Families organize extensive Annakut feasts and commemorate this event with grand festivities as a means to welcome prosperity and good luck.

In Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, specifically in Vrindavan, this festival is celebrated on a grand scale with vibrant parikrama around the actual Govardhan Hill. The local inhabitants construct detailed replicas of the hill and arrange devotional performances that immerse the town in tales related to Krishna.

Stories, Songs, And Literature That Enrich Govardhan Puja

Indian literature and poetry, particularly from the Bhakti era, shed light on Krishna’s relationship with his followers and his life among them. Poet-saints like Surdas frequently portrayed Krishna as a child lifting Govardhan Hill with an impish grin, symbolizing his divine innocence.

Surdas’s Devotional Songs

Surdas’s devotional songs in his work ‘Sursagar’ vividly depict Krishna lifting Govardhan Hill and his playful interactions with Radha and Gopis. His verses communicate Krishna’s charisma and charm, presenting him as a divine protector whose compassion is limitless.

Songs Of Devotion By Mirabai

The poems penned by Mirabai articulate the profound affection she harbors for Krishna, whom she refers to as the lifter of Govardhan Hill and the savior of her soul. Her unwavering devotion is palpable in her songs, shedding light on the importance of surrender and divine love.

Valmiki’s Ramayana And Mahabharata

Even though Govardhan Puja is not explicitly mentioned in these epics, the principles of dharma (duty) and bhakti (devotion) that they espouse underscore Krishna’s philosophy. His actions during Govardhan Puja exemplify these virtues, motivating devotees to tread a path marked by compassion and humility.

Environmentally Conscious Celebrations Of Govardhan Puja In Contemporary Times

In contemporary times, Govardhan Puja serves as a reminder about the necessity for environmental stewardship. Krishna’s message advocating respect for nature has gained increasing relevance, leading many families to adopt sustainable practices:

Employing Natural Decorations

The use of traditional clay or cow dung mounds, floral rangolis, and natural dyes minimizes pollution while paying homage to the festival’s ecological origins.

Utilizing Local and Seasonal Ingredients

Dishes prepared for Annakut often incorporate local produce, thereby promoting sustainable practices while honoring the earth’s seasonal bounty.

Minimizing Waste

Through the practice of reutilizing decorative items, contributing surplus food, and disseminating prasad in reusable vessels, devotees embody Krishna’s teachings of humility and reverence for the natural world.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the enduring essence of Govardhan Puja extends beyond mere festivity. It serves as a rejuvenation of belief, an instruction in modesty, and an appeal for unity with the natural world. As we commemorate this occasion in 2024, it is imperative to recall Krishna’s doctrines on empathy and our obligation towards safeguarding our environment.

FAQs