Govardhan Puja 2025 – Date, Rituals, Significance & Regional Celebrations

Date: Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Occasion: Fourth day of the 5‑day Diwali festival
Tithi: Kartik Shukla Paksha Pratipada

Significance of Govardhan Puja

Govardhan Puja commemorates Lord Krishna’s victory over Indra, the God of Rain. According to scriptures, Krishna lifted Mount Govardhan on his little finger to protect the people of Vrindavan from torrential rains. From then on, devotees began worshipping Govardhan Hill, and Krishna was revered as Govardhandhari or Girirdhari.

The festival also symbolizes gratitude to nature, cattle, and food—all essential for sustaining life.

Regional Names & Variations

North India (UP, Bihar, Haryana, Punjab): Govardhan Puja / Annakut Puja
Gujarat: New Year (Vikram Samvat begins)
Maharashtra & Western States: Padwa (distinct from Gudi Padwa) – wives honor husbands with garlands and aarti; husbands give gifts in return
South & Western India: Bali Pratipada / Bali Padyami – celebrates the return of King Bali
Industrial Regions: Vishwakarma Day – worship of tools and machinery

Rituals of Govardhan Puja

Govardhan Hillocks: Devotees make small hillocks from cow dung, symbolizing Mount Govardhan, decorate them with flowers, and worship with kumkum and akshata.
Parikrama: Circumambulation (Pradakshina) around the hillocks, praying for protection from hardships.
Cattle Worship: Cows and bulls are bathed, decorated with garlands and saffron, and worshipped as beloved to Lord Krishna.
Annakut Offering:

Annakut means “mountain of food.”
Devotees prepare 56 (Chappan Bhog) or 108 varieties of food as offerings to Krishna.
Idols are bathed in milk, adorned with dazzling clothes and jewelry, and worshipped with bhajans, aarti, and food offerings.
The Annakut Prasad is shared among family, friends, and devotees.

Celebrations Across India

Mathura & Vrindavan: Temples of Krishna are decorated with pearls, rubies, and ornaments; bhajans and special prayers attract thousands of devotees.
Nathdwara (Rajasthan): Famous for its grand Annakut offering at Shrinathji Temple.
Haryana & Punjab: Cow dung hillocks and folk rituals are central.
Maharashtra: Padwa emphasizes marital harmony and prosperity.