Govardhan Puja 2026 will be celebrated on Tuesday, 10 November 2026, two days after Diwali. Also called Annakut, it remembers how Lord Krishna lifted Govardhan Hill on his little finger to shelter the people of Braj from Indra’s storms. Devotees build a small Govardhan from cow dung or clay, offer a “mountain of food” (annakut) of 56 or more dishes, and worship cows and nature. Here is the Govardhan Puja 2026 date, muhurat, puja vidhi, annakut list and story.
Govardhan Puja 2026 Date and Muhurat
| Date | Tuesday, 10 November 2026 |
| Tithi | Kartik Shukla Pratipada |
| Morning muhurat (New Delhi) | About 6:39 AM – 8:49 AM |
| Also known as | Annakut, Padwa, Bali Pratipada (in Maharashtra and Gujarat, the new year) |
Why is there a gap after Diwali in 2026? Diwali falls on 8 November, but the Amavasya tithi continues until midday on 9 November. Govardhan Puja is observed on Pratipada at sunrise, which is 10 November. Timings vary by city — confirm with your local panchang.
The Story of Govardhan Puja
Every year the people of Braj worshipped Indra, the king of the gods, for rain. Young Krishna asked them to worship Govardhan Hill instead — the mountain that gave them grass for their cows, fruit, water and shelter. Angered, Indra sent torrential rain and storms for seven days. Krishna lifted the entire Govardhan Hill on the little finger of his left hand, and every villager and animal took shelter beneath it. Humbled, Indra stopped the rain and asked Krishna’s forgiveness. Since then, the day has honoured Krishna as Giridhari (the holder of the mountain) and celebrated gratitude to nature.
What Is Annakut?
Annakut means “mountain of food”. Temples and homes prepare a huge variety of vegetarian dishes — traditionally 56 bhog (chappan bhog) — and arrange them like a hill before Lord Krishna. After the offering, the food is shared as prasad.
Popular annakut dishes
- Mixed vegetable “annakut ki sabzi” made with seasonal vegetables
- Kadhi and chawal
- Puri, kachori and bajra roti
- Kheer, halwa, malpua and laddoo
- Makhan-mishri (butter and sugar), Krishna’s favourite
- Pickles, chutneys and seasonal fruits
Govardhan Puja 2026 Vidhi (Step by Step)
- Morning bath and clean the courtyard or puja area.
- Make the Govardhan – shape a small hill (often a reclining figure) from cow dung or clay, decorated with flowers, grass and small cow figures.
- Place a diya in the navel of the Govardhan figure and offer milk, curd, honey, batashe and flowers.
- Offer annakut – place the food offerings before Krishna and Govardhan.
- Parikrama – walk around the Govardhan figure seven times with family, singing bhajans.
- Gau puja – bathe and decorate cows, apply tilak and feed them jaggery and green fodder.
- Aarti – sing “Shri Govardhan Maharaj” and share prasad.
How Govardhan Puja Is Celebrated in Different Regions
- Mathura and Govardhan (Braj): lakhs of devotees perform the 21-km parikrama of Govardhan Hill.
- Nathdwara, Rajasthan: the Shrinathji temple offers a grand annakut.
- Gujarat: the day after Diwali is Bestu Varas, the Gujarati New Year.
- Maharashtra: Bali Pratipada or Padwa, celebrating King Bali and husband–wife bonds.
- Swaminarayan and ISKCON temples worldwide display spectacular annakut spreads.
Diwali 2026 Festival Calendar
| Festival | Date |
|---|---|
| Dhanteras | Friday, 6 November |
| Choti Diwali | Saturday, 7 November |
| Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) | Sunday, 8 November |
| Govardhan Puja | Tuesday, 10 November |
| Bhai Dooj | Wednesday, 11 November |
See our full Diwali 2026 guide and Dhanteras 2026 guide, and send greetings with our Bhai Dooj wishes and Krishna Janmashtami messages.
Govardhan Puja 2026 FAQ
When is Govardhan Puja in 2026?
Tuesday, 10 November 2026.
Why is Govardhan Puja celebrated?
To remember Lord Krishna lifting Govardhan Hill to protect the people of Braj from Indra’s storms, and to thank nature and cows for sustaining life.
What is offered in Govardhan Puja?
Annakut – a large variety of vegetarian dishes, often 56 bhog – along with milk, curd, makhan-mishri and sweets.
Is Govardhan Puja the day after Diwali?
Usually, yes. In 2026 there is a one-day gap, so it falls on 10 November.
Read more on Govardhan Puja at Wikipedia.
