After celebrating Diwali with great zeal and charm, are you waiting for the next festival of the five-day celebrations of Diwali? Yes, it is Govardhan Puja! Each day there is a new festival during the five-day celebrations. It begins with Dhanteras, Choti Diwali (Narak Chaudas), Diwali, Govardhan Puja and ends with the Bhai Dooj. Diwali was celebrated with great enthusiasm by worshipping Goddess Lakshmi and the return of Lord Rama with Mata Sita and Brother Lakshman.
However, the next day of Diwali, the Govardhan Puja celebrations begin, and Lord Krishna is worshipped during this day. Govardhan Puja is recognized as the festival of trust and affection between nature and human beings. This festival is usually celebrated on the Shukla Paksha's first day, in the month of Kartik on Pratipada. But, this time, Govardhan Puja will not be celebrated on the next day of Diwali.
When is Govardhan Puja? – Date and Time
As per the usual tradition, it should be celebrated on the next day of Diwali i.e., 25th October. But this time, it will not happen on Diwali’s next day. This year, Govardhan Puja will fall on the 26th of, October 2022, Wednesday. The Pratipada Tithi will begin at 4:18 PM on 25th October 2022 and end at 2:42 PM on 26th October 2022. And, also there will be Khandagras Solar Eclipse will happen on Diwali's next day, i.e., on the 25th October 2022 evening. The Solar Eclipse will begin at 4:32 PM on 25th October 2022 and will continue till 6:32 PM. Therefore, for these reasons, there will be no offering of the Annakoot to God in such a situation, so there will be no Govardhan Puja on 25th October 2022.
The best Muhurta or timing for performing the Govardhan Puja is from 6:36 AM to 8:55 AM on 26th October 2022. Therefore, this year, there will be one day gap between Diwali and Govardhan Puja.
Govardhan Puja - Significance, Rituals and Celebrations
On this day, the devotees worship Lord Krishna and Govardhan Dev. They wake up early in the morning, take a bath and wear clean clothes. The homes are decorated with lamps, flowers and creative rangoli designs. Then they create an idol of Govardhan Dev from cow dung and adorn it with flowers. The devotees take Parikrama around the cow dung mountains.
It is also known as Annakoot Puja. On this day, the Bhog or food cooked out of cereals, like rice, wheat, and curry made of leafy vegetables and gram flour, is offered to Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna's idol is bathed with milk, decorated with beautiful new clothes and ornaments, and then worshipped while the aarti is being recited. Annakoot is being distributed among friends, family members, and neighbors. Special arrangements are done in the temples on this day. As per the best astrologer, this festival should be celebrated with great faith and belief to get blessings from God.