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New Delhi, October 22 (IANS) Govardhan Puja, a festival associated with Indian tradition and spirituality, was celebrated with immense enthusiasm and unwavering faith across the country on Wednesday. From the vibrant heartlands of Rajasthan to Uttar Pradesh, the spirit of devotion united millions of people in celebration.
This festival was celebrated along with the second day of the grand festival of lights in Bundi, Rajasthan. Homes were ablaze not only with lamps but with faith as families worshiped Govardhan, which symbolizes the mountain raised by Lord Krishna to protect the people of Vrindavan from the wrath of rain god Indra. To celebrate this divine intervention, women make idols of Govardhan using cow dung, decorate them with fruits, flowers, puri, papdi, ghee, milk, curd and other offerings. These traditional rituals were performed with heartfelt prayers for happiness, peace and prosperity in their families.
As the elders gave blessings, devotees circumambulated the sacred idol, believing that just as Krishna protected the villagers, ‘Goverdhan Maharaj’ would bless their homes with abundance and protect them from calamity.
There is no less enthusiasm for Govardhan Puja in Deoria, Uttar Pradesh. The entire area echoed with devotional songs as women in traditional attire carried the idol of ‘Govardhan Maharaj’ and performed the rituals carefully. Here it is widely believed that the puja not only strengthens the bond between brothers and sisters, but also ensures the long life of the brothers, making it similar to the second Raksha Bandhan.
Annakoot prasad – a mountain of food that symbolizes gratitude – was presented with devotion, and women sang auspicious songs, their voices echoing the heritage of generations. In both rural and urban settings, Govardhan Puja serves as a living testament to the rich spiritual tradition of India.
Moving east, the celebrations were equally grand at the ISKCON temple in Mecheda, West Bengal. Devotees gathered for special Annakoot Mahotsav and Govardhan Puja. Prominent political leader and state opposition leader Subhendu Adhikari graced the occasion, performed traditional cow worship and participated in devotional kirtan along with hundreds of others.
In Uttar Pradesh’s Rae Bareli, temples, especially the Radha Krishna temple, were buzzing with energy. The grand idol of Lord Govardhan made of cow dung was decorated with 56 offerings, continuing the tradition that has been going on for years. Devotees gathered at the temple and offered prayers and food with unwavering devotion.
Also in Beawar, Rajasthan, the shepherd community has continued a tradition dating back more than a thousand years – one that has endured despite time, colonization and cultural changes. On Govardhan Puja, women make puri and kheer as prasad and make a symbolic mountain from cow dung, which is then beautifully decorated with flowers, oil lamps and vibrant rangolis. The men of the community perform the actual puja as per the customs.
A unique ritual in Beawar is particularly charming: unmarried young men attempt to pick up the puri offered as prasad using only their mouths – an act believed to bring them luck in finding a life partner. After the puja, the idol of Govardhan is respectfully covered with a cloth. The festivities formally end on Devuthani Ekadashi, when a ceremonial bull is used to signal the end of the festivities, paving the way for the wedding season to begin.
In Tonk, another city of Rajasthan rich with Nawabi heritage, age-old customs are also followed in homes. Women made replicas of Govardhan from cow dung and prayed sincerely for the well-being and prosperity of their families. The shared sentiment persisted across generations: such devotion would invite happiness and peace into their homes.
Away from the heartlands of North India, the festival also took center stage in Pune, Maharashtra, where thousands of Puneites came together for the vibrant Govardhan Parvat Diwali festival. Held at the historic Sarasbagh complex, the event began at 5 am, with crowds turning up despite the morning chill to witness the cultural spectacle.
The atmosphere was electrifying with performances that were a blend of tradition and creativity. The Milap cultural program comprised of melodious Hindi and Marathi songs, powerful Mardi performances and dazzling folk dances filled the Diwali morning with energy and spirit. The sky lit up with colorful fireworks and people greeted Diwali with great enthusiasm amidst tight security efficiently managed by the Pune Police.
The puja is an important Hindu festival that falls a day after Diwali. It celebrates the ‘child form’ of Lord Krishna and is also known as Annakoot or Annakoot, meaning “mountain of food”. On this day, devotees worship Govardhan Parvat (hill) as an expression of gratitude and devotion and offer 56 types of vegetarian food and sweets, known as ‘Chhappan Bhog’.
This festival symbolizes the powerful bond of trust, protection and divine grace between the Gods and the devotees. The story of Govardhan Puja teaches people to respect the forces of nature and to remember that, as mortals, we are deeply dependent on nature and should be grateful for her blessings. Lord Krishna’s act of lifting the mountain and saving the villagers shows that devotion is the purest way to connect with divinity.
–IANS
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