In the time of the pandemic, there is not much liberation, and also people don’t prefer going to crowded places. This year’s Govardhan Puja will be on 15th November, Sunday. Those who don’t want to take the risk and celebrate a safer Govardhan Puja can invoke Krishna at home.
Govardhan Puja has its significance since on the day, we remember Krishna for his kind act for the people of Brij. We also celebrate this day to show gratification toward mother nature, and that we should value the resources that nature provides us such as grains and foods.
Govardhan Puja is celebrated on the Pratipada day in the month of Kartik that is the next day of Diwali. Worshipping Govardhan blesses the families and individuals with abundance, prosperity, and peace of mind. In Gujarat, people there also see this day as Gujarati New Year.
How Did Govardhan Puja Begin in History?
Govardhan was a hill located in Gokul where Krishna used to live. This hill was a provider of wood, food, and many other resources to the people of the village. The people there were dependant on cows and by selling the dairy products they managed their lives.
There was a belief among those people; every year they worshipped Indra and make a sacrifice. According to them, only this Puja could bring the rain by pleasing Indra. Krishna once recognized their ritual and make them believe that it’s not Indra that makes the rain happen but the Govardhan mountain.
All the villagers agreed, and that year, they didn’t worship Indra. Seeing this Indra got triggered and his egotism caused a very heavy rainfall that created a flood in Gokul. Krishna understood the nature of Indra, and to protect the villagers he showed his ultimate supremacy. He lifted the Govardhan hill with his little finger and provided shelter to all the village people and their animals.
After days of heavy rainfall, Indra got convinced that Krishna is the ultimate God and Supreme Power. He stopped the rain, and the village people realized that Krishna is the almighty. From that day, they started celebrating the Govardhan mountain as gratitude toward it. They also celebrated Govardhan to remember Krishna and his act of kindness and divinity. Since that day, Govardhan Puja is significant in all over India and people worship Govardhan every year.
Worshipping Govardhan at Home
Many people visit the holy place Gokul to celebrate the day; however not anyone gets a chance. People also go to the nearby temples to see Krishna adorned in his full glory and to seek his blessings. One can also celebrate Govardhan Puja at home and still receive his grace in your life.
• You would need soil or cow dung to form a mountain-like structure.
• If you have a picture of Govardhan hill, then you can set it up on some pedestal.
• Place a picture of Lord Krishna near the Govardhan.
• Adorn both the Govardhan and Krishna with flowers, garlands, Mor Pankh, crown, and flute.
• Light incense sticks or a lamp in front of the Govardhan and Krishna and offer roli and rice.
• Krishna loves sweets, so you can offer milk, makkhan, laddoo, peda, or similar sweets.
• Now you can do the Puja with camphor, sing the Krishna arti, and then say your prayers. Be grateful toward the Lord for whatever good things he has given you in this life, and pray for the health and wealth of your family.
• Any elder of the family can recite the story of Laxmi, and you need to listen to it with devotion.
• At last, you can present the reader with sweets and gifts. One can also present a silver coin.
• You can also perform the parikrama of Govardhan, and conclude the Puja by distributing the Prasad among your family members.
Annakoot Utsav is another specialty of this day in which people prepare chhappan bhog and offer it to Lord Krishna. This is generally done in temples where the whole environment lights up with devotion, Krishna’s decoration, kirtans, prasadam, and the devotees.
By following these steps you can invoke Krishna at your home on the day of Govardhan and let his ultimate sanctifications change your life for the better.