Govardhan Puja (Annakut)

According to the legend, the people of Braj used to worship Lord Indra every year, praying for rain. The young Krishna explained to them that it was actually Govardhan hill, which sustained their cows and fields, that deserved worship instead of Indra. Angered by this, Indra unleashed a torrential downpour, and to protect the villagers, Krishna lifted the Govardhan hill on his little finger, sheltering the entire population of Braj under it for seven days.

After seven days, when Indra realized his mistake, he sought forgiveness from Krishna. Govardhan Puja is observed in remembrance of this event, carrying the message of respect for nature and the environment, and humility's victory over arrogance.

This same day is also observed in Gujarat as the New Year, 'Bestu Varas', according to the Vikram Samvat calendar. Merchants worship their new account ledgers on Diwali evening in the 'Chopda Pujan', and the new year's accounts begin in them from this day.

A symbolic form of the Govardhan hill is made in the courtyard using cow dung or clay, decorated with flowers, and worshipped by circumambulating it.

In temples, especially Vaishnav and ISKCON temples, Lord Krishna is offered 56 or 108 varieties of dishes, called 'Annakut'. It recalls the episode in which, at Krishna's word, the people of Braj offered the Govardhan hill all the dishes they had prepared for Indra's yajna.

Cows are also worshipped on this day, since in the legend the Govardhan hill sustained both the cows and the people of Braj. In Gujarat the business year begins on this day, and people greet one another with 'Saal Mubarak' for the new year.