The festivities of Diwali 2019 have already begun in a grandeur style. The excitement levels are sky high and the preparations for Diwali, also known as Deepavali, are in full swing. Speaking about Diwali, people also observe Govardhan Puja during the 5-day festive period of Diwali. The people of Hindu community celebrate the festival of Govardhan Pooja with the remembrance of Lord Krishna’s victory over Lord Indra. In this article, we will look at Govardhan Puja 2019 date and significance and on other Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the festival.

Govardhan Pooja has a sweet little chronicle of Lord Krishna attached to it and why it is celebrated with much fervour. The story behind the celebration of Govardhan Puja is heard by one and all during their childhood. Remember the iconic picture of Lord Krishna lifting a mountain on his little finger, and playing his flute with the other hand? Diwali 2019 Calendar: Dates and Tithi for Dhanteras, Naraka Chaturdashi, Lakshmi Puja, Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj During 5-Day Hindu Festival.

Well, yes. If you can remember that picture, it is precisely the reason why people of the Hindu community celebrate the festival of Govardhan Puja. The festival is also dearly called ‘Annakut Pooja’ by many people. Here we tell you the date, story, significance, shubh muhurat, and how you perform the pooja on the auspicious day of Govardhan Pooja.

When is Govardhan Pooja 2019?

Govardhan Pooja, this year, will be celebrated globally on October 28, i.e. Monday. The festival of Govardhan Puja is celebrated a day after the festival of Diwali is observed. As per the Vikram Samvat Hindu Calendar, Govardhan Pooja is celebrated on the Pratipada Tithi of Karthik month. The Govardhan Pooja festival is observed on the fourth day of the five-day Diwali festival.

What is the story and significance of Govardhan Pooja?

In Lord Krishna’s village, i.e. Gokul, there was a common practice where people used to worship Lord Indra, the God of Rains, every year. But Krishna being Krishna, he was irked by this practice followed by the villagers in Gokul village. He, then, suggested them to worship the Govardhan Mountain – where all the means of livelihoods come from – and not Lord Indra. Hearing him, the villagers stopped worshipping Lord Indra and instead started worshipping the Govardhan Pahad (mountain).

This irked Lord Indra and made him angry. Following this, Lord Indra gave people downpour in the Gokul village, which nearly led to flood. People prayed to Lord Indra to forgive them but he did not budge. People turned to Krishna to save them, given that it was his idea to stop worshipping Lord Indra.

It was then when Bal Krishna lifted the entire Govardhan mountain on his little finger and asked the villagers to take refuge below it. Lord Indra got angrier with it and it rained even more heavily. However, after seven consecutive days of heavy rainfall, he realised that he was up against the Supreme God and pleaded for an apology.

The festival is celebrated to represent how God protects all his devotees in the times of peril when they take refuge in him.

What is the Shubh Mahurat for Govardhan Pooja 2019?

  • Govardhan Puja 2019 Sayankala Muhurat – 15:49 to 18:07 (3.49 PM to 6.07 PM)

  • Govardhan Puja 2019 Time – 2 hours 18 minutes

  • Pratipada Tithi Begins – 09:08 AM on Oct 28, 2019

  • Pratipada Tithi Ends – 06:13 AM on Oct 29, 2019

How is Govardhan Pooja performed?

Govardhan Pooja is performed with grand festivities on the auspicious day. People prepare ‘56 Bhog’ and then offer to Lord Krishna as a token of gratitude. Some people use cow dung to prepare an idol of Lord Krishna and decorate it with earthen lamps, seenkh (broom’s chaff), and then present food items as offerings.

Some people also use cow dung and make a miniature-of-sorts of the Govardhan Hill and offer prayers to it, while presenting food and other items as offerings. An array of food items is prepared, and not to forget, traditional sweets are a must during the festival of Govardhan Pooja. Different narrations of how Lord Krishna saved Gokul and defeated Lord Indra are narrated during the Govardhan Puja. People who observe fast all day, break their fast after the Govardhan Puja.

The festival of Govardhan Puja has different meanings and is significant in many aspects. It represents how God is willing to help you in dire circumstances if you have an iota of faith in him and believe in him. We, at LatestLY, wish you a very happy and prosperous Govardhan Pooja 2019!

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 22, 2019 04:57 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).