Govardhan Puja 2025: Date, Story, Rituals & Significance

Govardhan Puja, also called Annakut Puja, is a highly religious festival held the day after Diwali. It commemorates Lord Krishna's protection of the people of Vrindavan by raising Govardhan Hill to shield them from terrible storms. On this day, devotees express gratitude through ritual worship, cow seva, and elaborate food offerings known as Annakuta, which represent a mountain of food created with love.
This day is very famous in North India, particularly Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Bihar. There, they visit Govardhan Hill, arrange grand feasts, and perform rituals in honour of Lord Krishna.

The Story of Govardhan Puja

It goes back to when Lord Krishna lived in Vrindavan. The people of Vrindavan used to worship Lord Indra, the rain god. They believe that his blessings would assure their well-being.
Krishna once questioned people about why they worshipped Indra. "Don't Govardhan Hill and the cows provide us with food, milk, and shelter? Shouldn't we show our thanks to them instead?"
Everyone decided and chose to worship Govardhan Hill instead of performing the Indra Puja. This offended Lord Indra, who released severe thunderstorms and rainstorms to punish the people who lived there. To protect them, Krishna lifted the huge Govardhan Hill with his little finger, making a shelter for all the people and animals.
After seven days of constant rain, Indra recognised Krishna's divine power and surrendered. Govardhan Puja has been observed since that day in honour of Krishna's protection and his teaching that God exists in nature and in our daily lives.

Date and Muhurat of Govardhan Puja (2025)

Govardhan Puja on Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Govardhan Puja Pratahkala Muhurat - 06:26 AM to 08:42 AM
Duration - 02 Hours 16 Mins
Dyuta Krida on Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Govardhan Puja Sayankala Muhurat - 03:29 PM to 05:44 PM
Duration - 02 Hours 16 Mins
Pratipada Tithi Begins - 05:54 PM on Oct 21, 2025
Pratipada Tithi Ends - 08:16 PM on Oct 22, 2025

Rituals of Govardhan Puja

Govardhan puja rituals vary depending on the Hindu faith. On this special day, several states also worship Lord Agni, Indra, and Varuna, the gods of Fire, Thunder, and the Oceans, accordingly. There are some specific ceremonies related to this day, which are :
Make a little hill-like structure with turmeric rice, cow dung, flour, or clay. Then decorate it with flowers, turmeric, and small paper or clay animals. After that, place a Krishna idol next to it and perform 7 parikramas (walking around).
Prepare a variety of vegan dishes to show your gratitude for nature's resources. You can also make puri, halwa, chana, kheer, dry fruits, and pickles, then arrange them in stages in a circular design so that it looks like a mountain. It is called Annakut, the mountain of food.

Govardhan Puja Vidhi :

Light a ghee diya, then arrange tulsi leaves, flowers, incense, and a freshly made meal (bhog).
Chant mantras like "Govardhan Giridhari Jai" or "Om Devadidevaya Namah".
Perform aarti and distribute Annakut prasad to everyone there.
Bathe and decorate cows and bulls with haldi-kumkum, flowers, and cloth. You can offer jaggery water, grains, and green grass to them. This is called Gau Puja.

What is the Significance of Govardhan Puja?

Krishna Govardhan Puja takes place on the fourth day of Diwali, which is a five-day event. According to the Bhagavata Purana, Shri Krishna lifted the Govardhan Hill to save the Vrindavan people from Indra Dev's catastrophic rains. Shri Krishna is also known as Giridhari/Giriraj (King of Hills), because of this incident. The story tells that if we surrender and seek shelter to Krishna, He will protect us all. It is an important aspect of Govardhan Puja. It is believed that Govardhan Puja was held when Shri Krishna lifted the Govardhan Hill. The event is primarily observed by the Vallabh group (Pushtimarg), the Gaudiya Sampradaya of Chaitanya, and the Swaminarayan group.

How the Utsav App Can Help You?

You can read Kathas in the app’s Gyan Section.
You can also book pujas on special days like Govardhan Puja from your home.
You can offer bhog and dakshina to temples online.
It will continue to notify you of special dates, such as Govardhan Puja, so you don’t miss any rituals.

In Conclusion

Govardhan Puja is a celebration that fills us with faith, joy, and unity. It teaches us that the Good will always win. It doesn't matter how powerful the evil is. The story teaches us that if we surrender ourselves and seek shelter in God, we will be blessed. Lord Krishna reminds us to be humble and kind towards people, animals and nature.