Even though Diwali is known the world over as a one-day festival, however the celebrations last for 5 days with each day carrying a particular significance. The day after Diwali is celebrated as Govardhan Puja and pays obeisance to Lord Krishna's triumph against the rain God Indra. This year, Govardhan Puja will be celebrated on Sunday, November 15.
Significance
We all know the story when Lord Indra wreacked havoc on the town of Mathura and Vrindavan with incessant rain. The fury of the rain was such that within minutes, the two places and the neigbouring villages started turning into water bodies. Fearing for their safety, the villagers turned to Krishna who then lifted the massive Govardhan parbat (mountain) on his little finger and all the villagers took shelter underneath it. Hence on this day, devotees pay homage to Lord Krishna and even pray to the holy cow, considered sacred in Hinduism.
Rituals
On this day, devotees perform Govardhan puja. In many places 56 type of dishes (chappan bhog), most of them Krishna's favourite are prepared and served in the form of a mountain, hence this ritual is also called Annukut. In the Braj region, devotees circle around the remnants of the Govardhan parbat and pray to it.
Shubh Muhurut
The Govardhan puja shubh muhurat will fall between 3:19 pm - 5:27 pm on November 15. (Drik Panchang)
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