Govardhan Puja, also called Annakut, is the fourth day of the Diwali festival, the morning after Lakshmi Puja. In 2026 it falls on Tuesday, 10 November. It remembers the day Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhan hill on his little finger to shelter the people and cows of Braj from Indra’s storms.
The story of Govardhan
Every year the cowherds of Braj held a great offering to Indra, lord of the rains. The young Krishna asked them why: it was the Govardhan hill that gave their cows grass and their village water, so why not honour the hill? The villagers agreed, and brought their offerings to Govardhan instead.
Furious, Indra sent a storm that raged for seven days. Krishna calmly lifted the whole hill on the little finger of his left hand and held it like an umbrella, and all of Braj, people and cattle, sheltered under it. At last Indra realised who Krishna was and bowed to him. Krishna has been called Giridhari, “the one who holds the mountain”, ever since.
How to do Govardhan Puja at home
- In the courtyard or at the door, shape a small Govardhan hill in the form of a reclining figure from cow dung (or clay), decorated with flowers, grass and small figures of cows and cowherds.
- In the middle, place a small bowl for milk, curd, honey and batashe.
- Worship Govardhan and Krishna with roli, rice, flowers, diya and incense.
- Offer the Annakut: as many dishes as you can cook, often including kadhi-chawal, puri, mixed vegetables, sweets and seasonal fare.
- Walk around the Govardhan seven times (parikrama), singing Krishna’s name, and end with Aarti Kunj Bihari Ki.
- Share the Annakut prasad with family, neighbours and the needy.
Many families also worship their cows today, bathing and decorating them (Gau Puja).
Govardhan across India
At the real Govardhan hill near Mathura, lakhs of pilgrims walk the 21-kilometre parikrama. The Shrinathji temple in Nathdwara, home of Krishna as the child who lifted Govardhan, prepares a vast Annakut. In Gujarat and parts of Maharashtra the day is also Bestu Varas, the Gujarati New Year, and in the south many families celebrate Bali Pratipada, the day King Bali is remembered.
The rest of Diwali week
Dhanteras (6 November) opens the festival, Diwali Lakshmi Puja falls on 8 November, and Bhai Dooj follows on 11 November.
Frequently asked questions
When is Govardhan Puja in 2026?
Govardhan Puja is on Tuesday, 10 November 2026, on Kartik Shukla Pratipada, the day after Diwali's new moon. Pratipada lasts until 2:00 PM (New Delhi), so the morning and midday puja fall well within it.
What is Annakut?
Annakut means "a mountain of food". Families and temples prepare dozens of dishes, often 56 (chhappan bhog), and arrange them in a heap before Krishna in memory of the offerings the people of Braj made to Govardhan. The food is shared as prasad.
Why is Govardhan worshipped instead of Indra?
Krishna told the people of Braj to worship the Govardhan hill, which fed their cows and gave them water, rather than Indra. When the angry Indra sent seven days of storm, Krishna lifted the hill on his little finger and sheltered everyone beneath it until Indra gave way.
