Govardhan Puja

1. Giriraj Sthapana: The fabricated image of Mount Govardhan is made by the use of cow dung and adorned with flowers, lamps, and colours.
2. Abhishek & Puja: A religious bath is given to the Shila using such things as milk, curd, and honey by reciting a Vedic mantra to draw the gods.
3. Annakut Offering: Annakut means “Mountain of Food.” A wide variety of dishes, often over 56, is offered to the Lord as a gesture of gratitude.
4. Gau Puja: Cows are bathed and decorated with garlands, tilak and colours. They are offered green fodder, jaggery and sweets, and prayers are made to them as Gau Mata, the nourishing mother. This honours the cattle of Braj that Krishna protected, and thanks the animals that sustain families with milk, ghee and farm work.
5. Parikrama: Devotees go around the Govardhan hills singing bhajans and hymns to reduce the sins of the past and as a sign of devotion.
6. Puja and Aarti: Flowers, incense stick, Annakut, and lamp are presented to the image of Mount Govardhan. A maha aarti is performed while singing devotional songs.
7. Distribute Prasad: To conclude the puja, an annakut in the form of prasad is distributed among all the family members, friends, neighbours, and the needy people.

• Gratitude to Krishna, nature and cows, as the tradition teaches
• Traditionally believed to bring protection, prosperity and family harmony
• A festival of sharing, with prasad for family, neighbours and the needy

Families after Diwali, Krishna devotees and Vaishnava households, shops and businesses that hold Annakut, and communities and temples.