Special Govardhan Puja - ISKCON Nellore

Govardhan Puja, celebrated the day after Diwali, commemorates Lord Krishna lifting Govardhan Hill to protect the people of Vrindavan from torrential rains sent by Indra. At ISKCON Nellore, this festival is observed with great devotion and joy. The highlight of the celebration is the Govardhan Annakut, where hundreds of sattvic food items are lovingly prepared and offered to Giriraj Govardhan, represented by a hill-shaped arrangement made of sweets, grains, and prasadam.Devotees engage in kirtans, Krishna-Katha, and Govardhan Parikrama (symbolic circumambulation) around the food hill. Special aarti, pushpa abhishekam, and cow worship (Gau Puja) are also performed, signifying Lord Krishna’s love for cows and nature.By participating in Govardhan Puja at ISKCON Nellore, devotees honor Krishna’s message of surrender, protection, and ecological balance. It brings divine blessings of shelter, prosperity, humility, and devotion, reminding all to depend on God rather than worldly powers.

Govardhan Puja begins with achamanam (self-purification) and sankalpam (spiritual vow) to worship Lord Krishna and Govardhan Hill. A symbolic Govardhan hill is created using cow dung or sweets, decorated with flowers, miniature cows, trees, and ponds made from colored powders or food items. A picture or idol of Krishna lifting Govardhan is placed near the setup.The puja starts with lighting a diya, burning incense sticks, and offering akshat, sandalwood paste, roli, flowers, and tulsi leaves. A lamp is waved (aarti) while singing Govardhan Puja bhajans or kirtans. Devotees perform circumambulation (parikrama) around the Govardhan replica, symbolizing surrender to Krishna. A grand Annakut (mountain of food) is offered, consisting of sweets, grains, fruits, and vegetables arranged beautifully.After the puja, the offerings are distributed as prasadam to all. The ritual signifies devotion, ecological respect, and faith in divine protection, as taught by Lord Krishna through the Govardhan Leela.