Govardhan Puja and Annakut: the story of the lifted hill

The story goes like this. Every year the people of Braj worshipped Indra. Krishna suggested they worship Govardhan hill instead, since its pastures fed their cows and its land fed them. Indra was angry and sent terrible rain. Krishna lifted Govardhan on his little finger, and the people of Braj sheltered under it with their cattle.

In memory of that, Govardhan Puja is held the day after Diwali. Many temples set up an Annakut: dal, rice, vegetables, rotis and sweets, many dishes piled before the deity like a small hill. Afterwards it is shared as prasad.

The Govardhan parikrama

Govardhan hill is some 20 to 25 km from Vrindavan. The path around it is usually said to be about 21 km. Some walk it, some go by vehicle. It is held to be a meritorious thing to do, but choose the distance by what your body can manage.

At home

Keep it small: make a little hill of clay or cow dung, put flowers on it, offer a bit of whatever has been cooked at home to the deity and eat together.