Govardhan Puja 2026 गोवर्धन पूजा
Monday, 9 November 2026 · October–November
Govardhan Puja 2026 is on Monday, 9 November 2026. It honours nature’s bounty and Krishna’s protection; a mountain of food (annakut) is offered in gratitude. It falls on Kartik Shukla Pratipada in the Hindu lunar calendar.
Govardhan Puja 2026 date
Monday, 9 November 2026
Govardhan Puja — dates by year
| 2026 | Monday, 9 November 2026 |
| 2027 | Saturday, 30 October 2027 |
| 2028 | Wednesday, 18 October 2028 |
Date cross-checked against multiple panchang sources; regional observance can differ by a day.
Govardhan Puja at a glance
| Date (2026) | Monday, 9 November 2026 |
| Lunar day | Kartik Shukla Pratipada |
| Usual month | October–November |
| Category | Diwali |
The story behind Govardhan Puja
Govardhan Puja, the day after Diwali, recalls Krishna lifting the Govardhan hill on his little finger to shelter the people of Braj from Indra’s torrential rains, teaching devotion to nature over the pride of the gods.
Significance of Govardhan Puja
It honours nature’s bounty and Krishna’s protection; a mountain of food (annakut) is offered in gratitude.
How Govardhan Puja is celebrated
- Making a small Govardhan hill from cow dung or food and worshipping it
- Annakut — offering a great variety of vegetarian dishes to Krishna
- Honouring and decorating cows and cattle
- Parikrama (circumambulation) of Govardhan in Braj
Regional variations
Grand in the Braj region (Mathura, Vrindavan, Govardhan); observed as Padwa/Bestu Varas (Gujarati new year) and Bali Pratipada in Maharashtra.
Festive foods of Govardhan Puja
Traditional dishes prepared for Govardhan Puja include annakut — dozens of dishes; kadhi, mixed vegetables and sweets.
Quick tips
- Offer an annakut of home-cooked dishes to Krishna
- Honour cows and nature on this day
Choosing the muhurat on Govardhan Puja
Govardhan Puja falls on Kartik Shukla Pratipada. To choose an auspicious time on the day, open the muhurat planner for your city and check the day's choghadiya and the Rahu Kaal to avoid. For the exact date this year, see the panchang calendar, and for weddings or a housewarming near this festival, confirm the muhurat with a qualified pandit.
Hindu festival dates follow the lunar calendar and vary each year; regional traditions can differ by a day. For the exact date this year, confirm with your local panchang or pandit.
Common questions
When is Govardhan Puja 2026?
Govardhan Puja 2026 is on Monday, 9 November 2026. It falls on Kartik Shukla Pratipada; because the Hindu calendar is lunar, the Gregorian date shifts each year.
Why is Govardhan Puja celebrated?
Govardhan Puja, the day after Diwali, recalls Krishna lifting the Govardhan hill on his little finger to shelter the people of Braj from Indra’s torrential rains, teaching devotion to nature over the pride of the gods.
How is Govardhan Puja observed?
Common observances include Making a small Govardhan hill from cow dung or food and worshipping it; Annakut — offering a great variety of vegetarian dishes to Krishna; Honouring and decorating cows and cattle; Parikrama (circumambulation) of Govardhan in Braj.
How is Govardhan Puja celebrated in different regions?
Grand in the Braj region (Mathura, Vrindavan, Govardhan); observed as Padwa/Bestu Varas (Gujarati new year) and Bali Pratipada in Maharashtra.
What foods are made for Govardhan Puja?
Traditional dishes include annakut — dozens of dishes; kadhi, mixed vegetables and sweets.