Govardhan Pooja 2023: Read more to know timings

By: Pune Pulse

November 13, 2023

Pune: The festival of Govardhan Puja, which takes place after Diwali and before Bhai Dooj, is a Hindu celebration that allows devotees to show their devotion to Lord Krishna and Govardhan Parvat. It is also known as Annakoot Puja, this festival is also recognized as Bali Pratipada or Padwa in Maharashtra and holds great importance.

On this auspicious day, devotees wholeheartedly participate in worship, meticulously preparing offerings using grains like wheat and rice, along with a delectable curry made from gram flour and leafy vegetables. These offerings are then reverently presented to Lord Krishna as a sincere expression of their unwavering devotion.

Govardhan Puja, a prominent Hindu festival, is celebrated on the Pratipada tithi of Kartik month, which usually occurs the day after Diwali Puja. However, the exact date may differ depending on the start of Pratipada Tithi, sometimes resulting in a one-day difference. 

This time the Pratipada date of Shukla Paksha of Kartik month is starting from 02:56 pm on Monday, November 13 and will end the next day on Tuesday, November 14 at 02:36 pm. Udaya Tithi is given special importance in Hindu religion. In such a situation, the festival of Govardhan Puja will be celebrated on November 14. According to Drik Panchang, the auspicious Govardhan Puja morning muhurat is between 6:43 am to 08:52 am on November 14.

To perform the Govardhan Puja, followers are instructed to construct a symbolic Govardhan Parvat using cow dung in their own premises. Subsequently, the ritual entails illuminating a lamp and presenting offerings like rice, kheer, batashe, water, milk, paan, Kesar, and flowers to Lord Govardhan. It is highly recommended for devotees to offer their prayers to Lord Krishna once they have gathered all the essential items for the puja.

As a part of the bhog offerings, followers meticulously prepare a variety of 56 or 108 food items, which encompass delectable sweets for the divine entity, fragrant incense sticks, vibrant flower arrangements, garlands crafted from fresh blossoms, roli, rice, and even cow dung. One of the notable highlights of this joyous occasion is the Chappan Bhog, an assortment of 56 delectable food items. Additionally, the ritual also includes the inclusion of Panchamrit, a sacred mixture comprising honey, curd, ghee, milk and sugar.

The necessary items for Govardhan Puja consist of wheat, rice, Panchamrit, Annakutta sabzi prepared with a variety of vegetables, and curry made from gram flour and leafy greens. These offerings are specifically offered to Lord Krishna, and the Panchamrit is later distributed to the devotees after being offered to the deity.