Gobardhan Puja or Annakut is celebrated in commemoration of Lord Krishna’s victory over Lord Indira. When Lord Krishna was only seven years old, He lifted the Govardhan Hill to protect the residents of Vrindavana from the wrath of Indra. All the devotees in Vrindaban worshiped the tall mountain GiriGobardhan on this day.
When the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna saw the residents of Vrindavana preparing for Indra-yajna, He requested that they should abandon the worship of Indra and instead worship Govardhana Hill. On coming to know of this, Indra became angry and sent devastating rainfall all over Vrindavana. Krishna lifted the Govardhana Hil, like umbrella, with His little finger and gave shelter to all the inhabitants of Vrindavana. Indra became aware of his offense and begged for forgiveness from Krishna. Thus the Supreme Lord established that a surrendered devotee, engaged in devotional service, is free from all obligations and need not worship any demigods for material favor. This pastime is known as Govardhana Lila and is described in the tenth canto of Srimad Bhagavatam.
Govardhan Puja is also referred to ‘Annakut’. The word “Anna” means rice and “Kuta” means hill. Thus “Annakuta” refers to a festival wherina hill of rice and other foodstuff is prepared. Devotees prepare more than 108 food items to offer to Lord Krishna. This offering is also known as ‘bhog’. Bhog can also be in the form of a mountain of delicious and tasteful food items, that is a symbolic representation of the Govardhan Hill.
As per the instructions of Krishna, following in the footsteps of the residents of Vrindavana, this festival is celebrated every year in the month of Kartika. Devotees prepare an annakuta (“a small hill of rice”) and decorated with sweets, cakes, sabjis and colored rice varieties. A miniature form of Govardhana and surrounding lakes are constructed by devotee ladies and children.
Devotees also worship the cows on the day of Govardhana Puja. Krishna is known as Gopala – the protector of cows. There is a prayer in Vishnu Purana that states: namobrahmanya-devaya go-brahmana-hitaya ca. Here Krishna is described as the well-wisher of the cows and the brahmanas. During this festival the cows arealsodecorated and fed. Keeping the cows in front, devotees circumambulate Govardhana Hill on this auspicious occasion.
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