The festival of Govardhan Puja will be celebrated across the country with reverence and faith on October 22, 2025. On this day, a replica of Govardhan mountain is made from cow dung and worshipped. It is believed that doing so brings happiness, prosperity, and positive energy into the home. Keeping the deity's face towards the west direction is considered auspicious.
Govardhan Puja 2025: The festival of Govardhan Puja will be grandly celebrated across the country on the day after Diwali, i.e., October 22, 2025. On this occasion, devotees make a replica of Govardhan mountain from cow dung in their homes and courtyards and worship Lord Krishna. This tradition is associated with the Mathura and Braj regions, where it is celebrated as a symbol of gratitude towards nature and livestock. Religious belief holds that Govardhan Puja brings happiness, prosperity, peace, and good fortune to the home.
Significance of Govardhan Puja
The festival of Govardhan Puja is celebrated with reverence and enthusiasm across the country on the day after Diwali. This day is observed in remembrance of Lord Krishna lifting the Govardhan mountain. Religious belief states that worshipping a replica of Govardhan mountain made from cow dung on this day brings happiness, prosperity, and good fortune to the home. Lord Krishna explained the importance of nature and livestock through this festival, which is why even today, people in rural and urban areas make and worship a form of Govardhan from cow dung.
This year, the sacred festival of Govardhan Puja will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. On this day, people start decorating their homes and courtyards from morning and perform the ritualistic worship of Lord Govardhan during the auspicious time.
Tradition of Making Govardhan from Cow Dung
According to religious beliefs, on the day of Govardhan Puja, a replica of Govardhan mountain is made from cow dung. This figure is given the form of a reclining man, which is considered a symbol of Lord Krishna. According to tradition, a small clay lamp is placed on the navel of Govardhan ji. Worship is performed by putting milk, curd, Gangajal, honey, and batashas (sugar candies) into this lamp. Later, it is distributed as Prasad among all family members and devotees.
The use of cow dung in Govardhan Puja is not only considered auspicious from a religious perspective but is also environmentally friendly. Cow dung is considered sacred and is believed to purify the home's atmosphere.
Method to Make Govardhan at Home
If you also wish to make Govardhan mountain from cow dung at home this time, follow the simple method given below.
Required Materials
- Fresh cow dung
- Tulsi leaves
- Dried cow dung cakes (kande)
- Diya (clay lamp)
- Turmeric and Kumkum
- A little soil
- Flowers and flower garlands
- Wooden plate or stool (chauka)
Step-by-Step Method
- Purification of the Place: First, clean the spot where Govardhan is to be made and purify it with Gangajal or holy water. This process makes the place suitable for worship.
- Shape the Cow Dung: Mix fresh cow dung to form a large mound and give it a mountain-like shape. This will be the main form of Govardhan mountain.
- Create the Figure: With the help of a wooden stick or a thin rod, make marks for eyes, nose, and mouth on the structure so that it resembles a reclining human figure.
- Let it Dry and Decorate: Once the cow dung has dried a bit, adorn it with clothes and a crown. Some people also decorate it with colorful fabrics or leaves.
- Decorations and Symbols: Make small balls from cow dung to create figures of cows, calves, trees, and other natural symbols. Place these around the Govardhan mountain.
- Install Lord Krishna's Idol: Place a small idol of Lord Krishna in the center of the Govardhan mountain.
- Complete the Decoration: Decorate fully with flowers, garlands, puffed rice (kheel), sugar candies (batashe), turmeric, and kumkum. During this time, women sing traditional songs, and children also participate in the decoration.
- Tilak and Deepdan: Apply a white or yellow tilak on the forehead of Lord Govardhan. Then, place a clay lamp on his navel and add milk, curd, Gangajal, honey, and batashas into it. This lamp is the main part of the puja.
- Worship and Offering: Light the lamp and offer flowers, sweets, Annakoot, and other dishes to Lord Govardhan. After the puja, perform Aarti and distribute the Prasad to everyone.
Importance of Direction in Govardhan Puja
The direction holds special importance in Govardhan Puja. According to religious beliefs, the idol of Lord Govardhan should face the west direction.
Doing so is believed to make the puja's effect auspicious and maintain positive energy in the home. The west direction is considered symbolic of Lord Krishna, hence the tradition of facing the idol in that direction.
Significance of Annakoot in Govardhan Puja
Annakoot is also organized on the day of Govardhan Puja. Various types of dishes are prepared and offered to Lord Krishna as bhog. Traditionally, it includes rice, pulses, vegetables, sweets, and butter. It is believed that Lord Krishna is very fond of this offering. After the puja, this Annakoot is distributed to everyone as Prasad.
Legend Associated with Govardhan Puja
According to Srimad Bhagavatam Purana, when Lord Krishna saw people worshipping Lord Indra, He explained to them that rain and prosperity come through the grace of Govardhan mountain. People abandoned the worship of Indra and started worshipping Govardhan mountain, which enraged Indra, and he began a torrential downpour. Then Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhan mountain on his little finger, protecting people and animals from the rain.
In remembrance of this event, Govardhan Puja is organized every year to express gratitude towards nature and Lord Krishna.
Correct Time and Auspicious Muhurat for Puja
According to astrologers, this year Govardhan Puja will be performed on October 22, from morning till noon. Although the exact auspicious time (Muhurat) may vary slightly according to location and the Panchang, generally, 6:30 AM to 10:00 AM is considered the auspicious time for the puja.
