Govardhan Puja 2025 Date, Puja Time, Shubh Muhurat: Diwali is not a one-day affair in India, it is celebrated over five days with lights, prayers, food and family rituals. And as soon as the Diwali puja is done, another major festival follows the very next day: Govardhan Puja, also called Annakut. This festival is observed on the fourth day of the Diwali week, and devotees offer prayers to Lord Krishna.
Govardhan Puja 2025: Date and shubh muhurat
According to Drik Panchang, Govardhan Puja will be celebrated in 2025 on Wednesday, October 22. As per Drik Panchang, the Govardhan Puja Pratahkal Muhurat will be observed between 06:26 am and 08:42 am, while the Sayankal Muhurat will fall between 03:29 pm and 05:44 pm. The Pratipada Tithi will begin at 05:54 pm on October 21 and conclude at 08:16 pm on October 22. The traditional Dyuta Krida observance is also scheduled for October 22.
Why is Govardhan Puja celebrated?
As per Drik Panchang, Govardhan Puja is based on a popular story from the Bhagavata Purana. It is believed that when in Dwapar Yuga, Lord Indra caused heavy rains to punish the people of Vrindavan, Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhan hill on his little finger and protected them from the storm. Hence, since then Govardhan Puja is observed as a day of thanksgiving, dedicated to nature, farmland, cattle, and the protection of Lord Krishna.
Annakut — The ‘mountain of food’ offering
The festival is popularly known as Annakut, which literally means ‘a mountain of food.’ On this day, as per Drik Panchang, devotees prepare a large amount of home-cooked vegetarian dishes including wheat, rice, gram-flour curries, leafy vegetables, sweets and snacks, and offer them to Lord Krishna before sharing as prasad.
In many Krishna temples, especially in Mathura, Vrindavan, Dwarka, Nathdwara and Gujarat, the Annakut itself becomes a grand attraction.
How Goverdhan Puja fits into the Diwali calendar
Most years, Govardhan Puja is celebrated the day after Diwali (Lakshmi Puja). However, the tithi timing can sometimes shift it by a day. For 2025, there is no shift, the festival as per Drik Panchang falls on October 22, one day after Diwali.
How people celebrate Goverdhan Puja across India
Across North India, households make small Govardhan replicas with cow dung and decorate them with flowers and sugarcane before performing parikrama (circumambulation). In Gujarat, the same day is also celebrated as Bestu Varas, the Gujarati New Year, making it culturally very special.
