Govardhan puja: Celebrating nature, devotion, and divine protection

Govardhan Puja, also known as Annakut or Padva, is a significant Hindu festival celebrated on the fourth day of Diwali, just after the main day of Deepavali.

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Rooted deeply in the Vaishnav tradition and associated with Lord Krishna, this festival holds great cultural, spiritual, and ecological significance. It marks the victory of faith and devotion over arrogance and the celebration of nature as a divine force that sustains life.

The origins of Govardhan Puja are found in the Bhagavata Purana, which narrates the story of Lord Krishna lifting the Govardhan Hill.

As per the legend, the people of Vrindavan used to worship Lord Indra, the god of rain and thunder, to seek his blessings for timely rains and good harvests. However, young Krishna, observing this ritual, questioned the villagers and advised them to worship Govardhan Hill, the cows, and nature instead. He explained that it was nature and the ecosystem around them that sustained their lives and that blind rituals were not necessary.

Angered by this defiance, Indra unleashed torrential rains and thunderstorms upon Vrindavan. To protect the people and animals, Lord Krishna lifted the massive Govardhan Hill on his little finger and held it like an umbrella for seven days and nights, providing shelter to all. Humbled by Krishna's power and devotion, Indra accepted defeat and recognized Krishna as the Supreme Divine.

This act of Krishna symbolizes divine protection, the power of devotion, and the importance of respecting nature. Govardhan Puja commemorates this event and is celebrated with great enthusiasm, particularly in Braj, Mathura, Vrindavan, and parts of North India.