Govardhana-puja

Govardhana-puja is the sacred festival commemorating the pastime in which Lord Krishna lifted Govardhana Hill with the little finger of His left hand for seven days and seven nights to protect the inhabitants of Vrindavana from the torrential rains sent by the angry demigod Indra. It is celebrated the day after the new moon of the month of Kartika (October-November). In Vaishnava theology, this festival highlights Krishna's supremacy over the demigods and teaches that there is no need to worship lesser deities when one has the complete shelter of the Supreme Lord. During the festival, devotees prepare a vast amount of auspicious vegetarian food that is piled up to imitate the shape of Govardhana Hill, a ceremony known as "Annakuta." The hill is circumambulated (parikrama), devotional prayers are offered, and the food hill is worshiped before being distributed as prasada to all attendees. For bhakti-yoga practitioners, Govardhana-puja is a special opportunity to cultivate the attitude of sharanagati (surrender) and remember the sweetness of the deity acting as the protector of His devotees.