Why Do We Celebrate Govardhan Puja After Diwali? Know All About the Festival

Amid the Diwali celebrations, there’s another festival of great significance—Govardhan Puja—that often doesn’t get as much attention. While it’s known to fall after the festival of lights, the question remains: Why Govardhan Puja is celebrated after Diwali? The answer lies in both ancient mythology and regional traditions that connect it to Lord Krishna’s divine protection of his devotees. Let’s explore this in detail in this blog!

Why is Govardhan Puja Celebrated After Diwali

The answer to why Govardhan Puja is celebrated after Diwali stems from an ancient tale. The story behind this celebration revolves around Lord Krishna’s role in saving the people of Gokul from a devastating storm caused by Lord Indra. Indra, the king of the heavens, became enraged when the people of Gokul stopped offering prayers to him and instead started to worship the mighty mountain, Govardhan.

In a fit of anger, Indra decided to flood the region with torrential rains and fierce storms. However, Lord Krishna, with his divine powers, lifted the entire Govardhan Hill on his little finger to protect the villagers from the deluge. The people of Gokul, in turn, thanked Krishna for his immense help and for sparing them from the wrath of nature. To show their gratitude, they began performing the Govardhan Puja on this day.

Thus, why do we celebrate Govardhan Puja after Diwali is a matter of tradition and devotion. After Diwali’s festivities, which celebrate the victory of good over evil and light over darkness, the people of Gokul—through this puja—show their gratitude for the protection Lord Krishna gave them. It's about acknowledging the divine force that defends us, even in the most dire situations.

This explains the significance of Govardhan Puja after Diwali! Let's learn the other important details about this festival next!

The Date and Time of Govardhan Puja in 2025

In 2025, Govardhan Puja will be celebrated on October 22, right after Diwali. The puja rituals typically take place in the morning, with families gathering to worship Govardhan Hill, offer food, and perform various religious activities.

Here are the key muhurat details for Govardhan Puja 2025:

• Pratahkal Muhurat (Morning Auspicious Time): 06:26 AM to 08:42 AM
• Pratipada Tithi Begins: 05:54 PM on October 21, 2025
• Pratipada Tithi Ends: 08:16 PM on October 22, 2025
• Sayankala Muhurat (Evening Auspicious Time): 03:29 PM to 05:44 PM

These times are considered auspicious for performing the rituals, ensuring maximum spiritual benefit.

How Is Govardhan Puja Celebrated?

Govardhan Puja after Diwali is celebrated with much fervour in different parts of India, but the customs vary from region to region.

• Preparation of the Puja Offering: Devotees prepare an offering of food, primarily made up of fruits, vegetables, and sweets. These offerings are then presented before a representation of the Govardhan Hill. The hill is often symbolised by a mound of cow dung, which is a natural, eco-friendly representation.
• Creating a Govardhan Hill Replica: In several regions, especially in Uttar Pradesh, people create small replicas of Govardhan Hill using clay or cow dung. This is decorated with flowers, and the food offerings are placed around it as a mark of respect to Lord Krishna.
• Parikrama (Circumambulation): Similar to other Hindu rituals, people take part in the act of parikrama (circumambulating) the hill or the deity as a gesture of reverence and to ask for blessings. In some places, devotees go on foot around a hill or pond, offering prayers and singing devotional songs.
• Goverdhan Prasadam (Food Offerings): A special part of the celebration is the distribution of the prasadam (sacred food). After the puja, the food offered to Govardhan is distributed among the devotees as a symbol of Krishna’s blessings. These foods are typically vegetarian, with sweets and dairy products playing a central role, honouring Krishna’s love for milk and butter.
• Regional Variations: In Gujarat, especially, Govardhan Puja is celebrated with more grandeur. People decorate their homes with traditional Rangoli (coloured patterns on the floor) and engage in dances and songs celebrating Krishna’s love and compassion. In Maharashtra, it is also closely linked to the worship of cows, often referred to as Annakut, meaning “mountain of food.”

Wrapping Up

You’ve now got the answer to the question “Why we celebrate Govardhan Puja after Diwali.” It’s a day that not only honours Lord Krishna’s protection but also reminds us of the values of gratitude and humility. As October 22, 2025, approaches, let’s embrace the spirit of the festival and keep the lessons of compassion alive in our daily lives.