Published 10:33 IST, October 28th 2019
Govardhan Puja 2019: Here is the date and significance of this day
Govardhan Puja is celebrated every year with much glee and singing. Here are all the details about the date, history and significance of this auspicious day.
Govardhan Puja is celebrated every year, one day after the festival of Diwali. It is also known as Bali Pratipada. Devotees all over offer their prayers to Lord Krishna on this day. People worship piles of grains that symbolise the Govardhan mountain on this day.
Govardhan Puja 2019 date
This year Govardhan Puja will be celebrated on October 28, 2019. The day of Diwali falls on October 27, 2019. Hence Govardhan Puja will be celebrated the day after that.
Significance of Govardhan Puja
On this auspicious day, people worship a mountain made of grain. The mountain metaphorically represents the Govardhan hill that protects and shelters people everywhere. Devotees also bath cows and bulls in the morning and ornate them with garlands, flowers, etc. The festival is celebrated with singing and dancing.
The story behind Govardhan Puja
According to Hindu mythology, people in Vrindavan used to offer grand meals to please the god of rains, Lord Indra. This was done to be blessed with good timely rainfall and a great harvest. However, Lord Krishna found this practice to be harsh and instead persuaded the people to stop this practice and instead offer the meal to their family members.
An angry Lord Indra found out about this. He then sent a raging thunderstorm. The people of Vrindavan then approached Lord Krishna for help. He took all the villagers to the Govardhan hill. He lifted the mountain with his finger and sheltered everyone under it. He stood there for seven days and in the end, Lord Indra had to bow down and give up.
The villagers saw Lord Krishna’s hard work and decided to prepare a lavish meal for him. The made a ‘Chappan bhog’ for him which consisted of 56 different delicacies. Many pilgrims who visit thee Govardhan hill even today, prepare this meal and offer it to Lord Krishna. They are many who also prepare this spread at home.
Updated 13:08 IST, October 28th 2019