Govardhan Puja: The Worship of Nature and the Divine Love of Krishna

Govardhan Puja: Honoring Lord Krishna and the Spirit of Nature

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Introduction

Govardhan Puja, also known as Annakut Puja, is a significant Hindu festival that celebrates Lord Krishna’s protection of the people of Vrindavan from the wrath of Indra, the god of rain. The festival takes place on the fourth day of the five-day Diwali celebration, the day after Diwali or the first lunar day of Shukla Paksha in the Hindu month of Kartik. Govardhan Puja commemorates the famous incident where Krishna lifted the Govardhan Hill on his little finger, sheltering the villagers from torrential rains and floods sent by Indra.

The festival is an expression of devotion to Mother Nature and celebrates the importance of agriculture, nourishment, and ecological balance. This act of Krishna’s signifies the shift from the worship of celestial forces (like Indra) to the celebration of nature and the earth, which sustains all life. The festival also involves offering large quantities of food to Lord Krishna, symbolizing gratitude for the abundance provided by nature.

In this article, we will explore the mythology behind Govardhan Puja, the rituals, the deeper philosophical meanings, and how this festival promotes harmony with nature and devotion to Lord Krishna.

Read More About Hindu Philosophy

The Mythological Story Behind Govardhan Puja

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The story of Govardhan Puja is rooted in the pastoral life of the people of Vrindavan, who used to worship Indra, the god of rain, to ensure good rainfall for their crops. However, when young Krishna noticed this, he questioned the need to worship Indra. He argued that it was more important to worship Govardhan Hill and the cows, as they directly provided for the people’s sustenance and well-being.

Krishna persuaded the villagers to worship Govardhan Hill instead of Indra. Enraged by this, Indra sent a devastating storm to punish the people of Vrindavan. In response, Krishna lifted Govardhan Hill on his little finger, providing shelter to the villagers and their cattle for seven days, until Indra realized his mistake and withdrew the storm. This act earned Krishna the title of Govardhandhari (the lifter of Govardhan), and the festival of Govardhan Puja is celebrated to honor this event.

The Spiritual Significance of Govardhan Puja

Govardhan Puja represents several layers of spiritual teachings, extending beyond the simple act of worship. At its core, it teaches the value of humility, devotion, and a close relationship with nature.

  1. Celebration of Nature: Lord Krishna’s act of lifting Govardhan Hill shifts the focus from worshipping celestial beings like Indra to venerating the earth and the natural world. This marks a significant philosophical shift in Hinduism toward an eco-centric worldview, where nature is considered sacred and worthy of worship.
  2. Protection and Shelter: The story of Krishna shielding the villagers under the Govardhan Hill is symbolic of divine protection. It shows that the divine does not demand sacrifices or rituals but instead offers shelter and love to those who follow the path of righteousness. Krishna’s act represents the triumph of compassion over arrogance and humility over pride.
  3. Breaking Tradition for a Higher Purpose: Krishna’s rejection of Indra’s worship indicates the importance of questioning outdated customs. He encourages people to think about the actual forces that support life—like the land, water, and animals. This makes Govardhan Puja a celebration of pragmatism, encouraging a deeper connection with the physical world and its natural resources.
  4. Devotion to Krishna: At its heart, Govardhan Puja is about bhakti (devotion) to Krishna. His devotees believe that his love and protection are always available to those who surrender to him, even in times of difficulty and natural disaster. This reinforces the role of Krishna as the supreme protector.

Rituals of Govardhan Puja

Govardhan Puja is celebrated with great enthusiasm, particularly in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. The festival involves several key rituals, each representing an aspect of the festival’s significance:

  1. Building the Govardhan Hill (Govardhan Parvat): On the day of Govardhan Puja, people create a small hill-like structure using cow dung, mud, and clay, symbolizing the Govardhan Hill. It is decorated with flowers and worshipped, representing the hill that Lord Krishna lifted. Devotees circumambulate the hill in a ritual known as Parikrama, seeking blessings for protection and prosperity.
  2. Annakut – The Offering of Food: The word Annakut literally means a “mountain of food.” As part of Govardhan Puja, devotees prepare a large variety of dishes and sweets, which are offered to Lord Krishna. These include puris, kheer, rice, vegetables, laddus, and other delicacies. The offerings symbolize the bounty of nature and the gratitude of the people for the sustenance it provides.After the offering, the food is distributed among the devotees as Prasad (blessed food). In some temples, especially in Mathura and Vrindavan, grand feasts are organized, where the food is placed in the form of a mountain, symbolizing the Govardhan Hill.
  3. Govardhan Puja Aarti: Special Aarti (prayer ceremonies) are held in temples dedicated to Lord Krishna. The Aarti includes singing hymns and praises of Krishna’s deeds, followed by the offering of lamps, incense, and flowers. Devotees sing songs that narrate the story of Govardhan Puja and the divine play of Krishna.
  4. Circumambulation (Parikrama): In many parts of India, especially in Vrindavan, devotees perform Govardhan Parikrama, where they walk around the actual Govardhan Hill as an act of devotion and faith. It is believed that by doing this, one receives Krishna’s blessings and divine protection.

The Role of Cows in Govardhan Puja

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Cows play a central role in the celebration of Govardhan Puja. In Hinduism, the cow is revered as a sacred animal, symbolizing nourishment, abundance, and non-violence. On this day, cows are bathed, decorated, and worshipped, as they are seen as incarnations of Kamadhenu, the wish-fulfilling cow in Hindu mythology.

Cows are considered providers of life-sustaining products like milk, butter, ghee, and dung, which are crucial for the agrarian society that Krishna’s devotees belong to. Thus, cows are treated with utmost reverence during Govardhan Puja, with many families offering them food and garlands.

Govardhan Puja and Sustainability

Govardhan Puja’s emphasis on nature worship has significant implications for modern times, especially concerning environmental sustainability. By celebrating the mountain, the earth, and the cow, the festival promotes ecological balance and encourages people to live in harmony with nature.

  1. Respect for Nature: As environmental issues like climate change and deforestation become more pressing, Govardhan Puja offers a model of sustainable living. The festival encourages people to respect and preserve the natural world, just as Krishna did by lifting the Govardhan Hill.
  2. Agricultural Gratitude: The ritual of offering food to the deities reminds us of the importance of agriculture and the role of nature in providing sustenance. Farmers, in particular, find special meaning in the festival, as it marks the end of the harvest season and is a time to thank the earth for its abundance.
  3. Vegan and Eco-Friendly Practices: In recent years, there has been a movement toward celebrating Govardhan Puja with vegan and eco-friendly offerings. Instead of using dairy products, some devotees use plant-based alternatives in their offerings, recognizing the need for cruelty-free practices. Similarly, the use of natural materials for decorating the Govardhan hill, such as clay and flowers, reinforces the festival’s connection to sustainability.

Quotes and Teachings from Hindu Scriptures

  • From the Bhagavad Gita: “Those who worship me with devotion, meditating on my divine form, receive my grace and protection.” (Bhagavad Gita 9.22)
  • From the Vishnu Purana: “Krishna protects all living beings, his love is vast as the mountain he lifted with his hand.”
  • From the Srimad Bhagavatam: “Worship Govardhan, the nourisher of life, and Krishna, the sustainer of the universe.”

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