Govardhan Puja, one of the auspicious festival of the Hindus, is celebrated a day after the Diwali in the month of Kartik. Also known as Bali Pratipada, on this occasion, devotees offer puja to Lord Krishna. According to Hindu religion, this Puja marks the victory of Lord Krishna over the arrogance of Lord Indra. People also worship the pile of grains (symbolizing the Govardhan mountain) on the day.
Legends
Govardhan is a small hillock situated at ‘Braj’, near Mathura. Govardhan Puja commemorates the incident when Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhan Hill to provide shelter to the villagers of Vrindavan from torrential rains. As per the scriptures, the folks of Vrindavan used to offer lavish meals to the God of rain and storm, Lord Indra to ensure that he blesses them with proper rainfall and good harvest. But Child Krishna found the practice to be too harsh for the small-time farmers, and he convinced them to discontinue making these offerings to Lord Indra and instead feed their families. This enraged Lord Indra, who sent down rain and thunderstorm out of anger in Vrindawan. The rains continued for 07 days.
The village folk were afraid and they approached Krishna for help who then asked everyone to proceed to the Govardhan hill. When they arrived, Lord Krishna lifted the entire hill with his little finger, people trickled under the hill to take shelter from the storm.
Krishna was there for seven days, held the mountain for 7 days on his little finger. Finally, Indra had to bow to the might of Krishna and stop the rains. After this episode, women of Vrindavan cooked 56 dishes for Krishna. It is believed that Krishna took 8 meals in a day. As he had stood there for seven days without any food, the women decided to make up for it with a lavish Chappan bhog (a meal consisting 56 items like halwa, ladoos, mishri and peda).
Thus, it came out that God will protect all devotees who take full refuge in him. So, devotees offer a mountain of food, metaphorically representing the Govardhan Hill, to God as a ritual remembrance and to renew their faith in taking refuge in God.
Another legend associated with Govardhan Puja is that of King Bali who was defeated by Lord Vishnu in his ‘Vamana’ avatar. It is believed that King Bali comes out from Pataal Lok every year on the day of Govardhan Puja to visit his Kingdom on the earth. This day is also known as ‘Padva’ or ‘Bali Pratipada’ in some parts of the country.
Significance
By offering the Annakoota people show their gratitude towards the Lord. This meal is also known as the Chappan bhog. The puja is also significant as it spreads the message of conserving the natural resources. Worshipping the mother nature has always been an integral practice in Hinduism. The main purpose behind the mountain worship has always been conservation and protection of the vulnerable and precious natural resources.
How it is celebrated in India?
In some regions, Govardhan Puja is celebrated by building the hillocks of cow-dung which symbolizes the Govardhan hill, the mountain which was once lifted by Lord Krishna. Devotees decorate the hillocks with flowers, garlands and worship it. Devotees make Parikrama around the hillocks and pray to Lord Govardhan to protect their lives. In some parts, it is celebrated as the Padva or Bali Pratipada in remembrance of the King Bali. In Gujarat, it is celebrated as a Gujarati New Year because the Vikram Samvat begins on this day.
गोवर्धन पूजा की कथा
श्री कृष्ण ने देखा कि सभी बृजवासी इंद्र की पूजा कर रहे थे। जब उन्होंने अपनी मां को भी इंद्र की पूजा करते हुए देखा तो सवाल किया कि लोग इन्द्र की पूजा क्यों करते हैं? उन्हें बताया गया कि वह वर्षा करते हैं जिससे अन्न की पैदावार होती और हमारी गायों को चारा मिलता है। तब श्री कृष्ण ने कहा ऐसा है तो सबको गोर्वधन पर्वत की पूजा करनी चाहिए क्योंकि हमारी गायें तो वहीं चरती हैं। उनकी बात मान कर सभी ब्रजवासी इंद्र की जगह गोवर्धन पर्वत की पूजा करने लगे। देवराज इन्द्र ने इसे अपना अपमान समझा और प्रलय के समान मूसलाधार वर्षा शुरू कर दी। तब भगवान कृष्ण ने गोवर्धन पर्वत को अपनी छोटी उंगली पर उठा कर ब्रजवासियों की भारी बारिश से रक्षा की थी। इसके बाद इंद्र को पता लगा कि श्री कृष्ण वास्तव में विष्णु के अवतार हैं और अपनी भूल का एहसास हुआ। बाद में इंद्र देवता को भी भगवान कृष्ण से क्षमा याचना करनी पड़ी। इन्द्रदेव की याचना पर भगवान कृष्ण ने गोवर्धन पर्वत को नीचे रखा और सभी ब्रजवासियों से कहा कि अब वे हर साल गोवर्धन की पूजा कर अन्नकूट पर्व मनाए। तब से ही यह पर्व गोवर्धन के रूप में मनाया जाता है।