Govardhan Puja 2025: Check auspicious timings, Annakut rituals and more

Each year, the sacred days following Diwali bring forth two profound festivals of love and gratitude — Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj. Together, they weave a tapestry of faith, family, and divine remembrance. In 2025, Govardhan Puja (Annakut Utsav) falls on Wednesday, 22 October 2025, and Bhai Dooj on Thursday, 23 October 2025. 

These twin festivals not only celebrate devotion to God and love among family members but also awaken us to the essence of selfless service, humility, and gratitude.

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🌼 Govardhan Pooja Muhurat Timings

Govardhan Puja, celebrated a day after Diwali, holds immense spiritual significance as it marks the divine episode when Lord Shri Krishna lifted Govardhan Hill to protect the residents of Braj from torrential rains. It is a beautiful expression of surrender, faith, and divine love.

This auspicious day is also celebrated with symbolic rituals such as offering Annakut (a mountain of food) and performing Govardhan Parikrama, reaffirming our devotion to Lord Krishna, the Supreme Protector.

Whether you're in New Delhi, the cultural heart of India, or at our beloved Radha Krishna Temple in Dallas, it's important to observe the puja during the correct muhurat — the divinely ordained time period believed to be most beneficial for spiritual activities.

Below are the carefully calculated muhurat timings for both New Delhi and Dallas for Govardhan Puja in 2025.

📍 New Delhi Muhurat Timings – October 22, 2025 (Wednesday)

📍 Dallas Muhurat Timings – October 21, 2025 (Tuesday)

We humbly invite all devotees in Dallas and around the world to take part in Govardhan Puja celebrations during these sacred timings. Let us offer our love, gratitude, and surrender at the feet of Giridhari — the lifter of Govardhan — and seek His divine protection and grace.

If you're nearby, do join us at the Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas for a grand Annakut offering and vibrant devotional celebrations! 

🌿 The Divine Story of Govardhan Puja 

In the holy land of Braj, Shri Krishna saw everyone preparing for a grand puja. Curious, He asked Nanda Baba, “What is all this for?” Nanda Baba explained, “We are simple villagers. Our lives depend on rainfall, and so we worship Indra, the god of rain, once every year.”

But Shri Krishna, in His divine wisdom, raised a profound question — “If in the future, people see us worshipping Indra even while God Himself is present here, what message will that send? Won’t it encourage worship of devtas over direct devotion to the Supreme?” So, He offered an alternative: “Let us instead worship Govardhan hill, our cows, and even cow dung — all of which sustain our lives and are divine in their own way.”

Through sweet persuasion and careful dialogue with villagers, Shri Krishna led everyone to perform the Govardhan Puja. They offered heaps of food and devotion to the sacred hill. But the news reached Indra, who, furious at being neglected, decided to teach Braj a lesson. He summoned the mighty cloud Samvartaka — one capable of destruction on the scale of a cosmic dissolution.

Rain poured like never before, darkness fell, and the people of Braj were terrified. Shri Krishna comforted them, saying, “Do not be afraid. When we worship the Supreme, what is there to fear?” And then, in a divine act, He lifted Govardhan Hill on His little finger — not even the whole finger, just the nail of His left pinky!

All the Brajwasis took shelter beneath the hill, marveling at the sight. But the sakhās — Krishna’s childhood friends — weren’t easily convinced. “This Kanhaiya? Our prankster friend? What mountain-lifting powers could he have?” They believed they were the ones holding up the hill with their sticks and discussed giving Krishna a break if he got tired!

Yet, day and night passed, and the hill remained aloft. Slowly it dawned upon them — this wasn’t a prank. This was divine power.

Indra, realizing his folly, descended from his elephant Airavat, begged forgiveness at Krishna’s feet, and acknowledged his mistake. The rains stopped. The sun shone again. Shri Krishna placed the hill back in its place.

But the aftermath was deeper than the weather. The Brajwasis, now seeing Krishna as God Himself, began to worship Him with awe. The feeling of closeness — the intimate love of “He is mine” — was replaced by reverence. Krishna noticed this shift. Tears welled up in His eyes. “They no longer feel I am theirs,” He said. “That love... that closeness... is lost.”

The sakhās, ever playful and loving, saw Krishna’s sorrow. “Why are you crying, Kanhaiya? Did your hand get sprained?” They held a secret meeting: “This can’t be God. We beat Him in games!” And with the grace of Yogmaya, the old loving bonds were restored.

Shri Krishna didn’t want distance. He didn’t crave grand reverence. He longed for pure, intimate prem bhakti — the love where God becomes yours.

📜 Sanskrit Verse — Dependence on God Alone 

सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज । 
अहं त्वां सर्वपापेभ्यो मोक्षयिष्यामि मा शुचः ॥ (BG. 18.66)

Translation: 
“Abandon all varieties of religion and simply surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions; do not fear.” 

This verse beautifully aligns with the message of Govardhan Puja 2025 — surrendering to the Supreme Lord, who is the true protector in every storm of life. 

✨ Spiritual Insights from Swami Mukundananda Ji 

Swami Mukundananda, founder of JKYog, offers profound lessons from the Govardhan Leela — lessons that transform ritual into realization and devotion into divine love. 

🌼 1. True Faith vs. Ritualism 

“Real devotion lies not in external ceremony, but in understanding, love, and surrender to the Supreme Lord.” — Swami Mukundananda 

Krishna’s challenge to Indra’s worship teaches us that devotion must come from insight, not blind tradition. 

🌿 2. Dependence on God, Not Ego 

“When we rely on our own ego and power, storms rise. When we rely on God, peace prevails.” 

Only divine grace sustains us through life’s tempests — just as the villagers were protected under Krishna’s lifted mountain. 

🌸 3. Gratitude to Nature 

Govardhan worship symbolizes ecological devotion. Nature is not separate from the Divine — it is His manifestation. 

“When we serve the Earth with gratitude, we serve God Himself.” — Swami Mukundananda 

🌺 4. Humility Over Pride 

Even mighty Indra bowed before Krishna. Power without humility leads to downfall; humility with devotion leads to liberation. 

💛 5. Sakhya Bhava — Friendship with the Divine 

The Gopas of Braj never forgot Krishna as their dear friend. 

“When love is pure, God becomes your own — not the object of fear, but of friendship.” — Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj 

🍲 The Annakut Tradition at Home 

After the storm ended, the villagers expressed their gratitude by offering a mountain of food — Annakut — to Krishna and Govardhan Hill. This beautiful act of devotion endures to this day. 

🪔 How to Perform Govardhan Puja 2025 at Home 

1. Clean the home and altar early in the morning. 
2. Place a picture or idol of Lord Krishna or Radha-Krishna. 
3. Create a small mound of rice, sweets, or clay symbolizing Govardhan Hill. 
4. Offer homemade vegetarian dishes, fruits, and sweets. 
5. Perform aarti while singing bhajans or Govardhan Leela Katha. 

Distribute the prasad with family and neighbors.  

🌾 Tips for Performing Govardhan Puja at Home 

Preparation 

• Clean your home and wear traditional attire. 
• Place an image of Lord Krishna or Govardhan Hill on a decorated altar. 
• Prepare a miniature hill from clay or food grains. 

Puja Vidhi 

1. Light lamps and incense. 
2. Offer flowers, kumkum, turmeric, fruits, and sweets. 
3. Prepare Annakut (mountain of food). 
4. Perform aarti with devotion. 
5. Distribute prasad joyfully. 

Tips for Families 

• Involve children in decorating and offering food. 
• Reflect on gratitude toward nature. 
• Offer any number of dishes; sincerity matters more than quantity. 
• End the puja with prayers for peace and harmony. 

"Govardhan Puja inside Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas!"

“The Govardhan Leela teaches us to do Ananya Bhakti — where God alone is the enjoyer of our worship.” — Swami Mukundananda 

🪷 Deeper Spiritual Lessons

1️⃣ Exclusive Devotion (Ananya Bhakti) 

Our devotion must be directed toward the Supreme Lord alone.

“The source of all grace is God directly — not the intermediaries.” — Swami Mukundananda 

2️⃣ Questioning Rituals with Understanding 

Shree Krishna didn’t reject rituals but infused them with wisdom and devotion. 

“Ask not what ritual to perform, but whom to love through that ritual.” 

3️⃣ Humility Over Ego 

Even Indra had to bow before Shree Krishna’s love. True strength lies in surrender, not superiority. 

4️⃣ Nature as Divine 

Govardhan Hill is a living reminder that the Earth is sacred. Caring for nature is a form of bhakti. 

5️⃣ Faith Over Fear 

When storms arise — physical, emotional, or spiritual — faith becomes the sheltering Govardhan in our lives. 

🌸 Key Takeaways 

🎥 Call to Action 

For deeper insights on Govardhan Leela, Ananya Bhakti, and practical spirituality, subscribe to Swami Mukundananda’s YouTube Channel — a treasure of wisdom and inspiration for devotees worldwide. 

🙏 FAQs on Govardhan Puja 2025 

❓ What is Govardhan Puja 2025 and why is it celebrated? 
Govardhan Puja 2025 commemorates Lord Krishna lifting Govardhan Hill to protect the people of Braj from Indra’s wrath. It teaches faith in God, humility, and gratitude toward nature. 

❓ When is Govardhan Puja in 2025? 
Govardhan Puja (Annakut Utsav) falls on Wednesday, 22 October 2025, the day after Diwali. 

❓ How is Govardhan Puja performed at home? 
Devotees prepare Annakut, offer food to Krishna, light diyas, perform aarti, and share prasad with family and community. 

❓ What is the significance of Annakut? 
Annakut (mountain of food) symbolizes abundance and gratitude. It is an offering to Lord Krishna for His divine protection and blessings. 

❓ How is Bhai Dooj connected to Diwali? 
Bhai Dooj marks the closing of the Diwali festivities, celebrating the love and protection between brothers and sisters. 

❓ What lessons does Govardhan Puja teach us? 
It teaches surrender (Sharanagati), humility, and devotion — realizing that true refuge lies only in God. 

🌼 Conclusion: The Eternal Message of Love and Gratitude 

Both Govardhan Puja 2025 and Bhai Dooj illuminate the eternal truth of Bhakti: love and gratitude elevate life into worship. Krishna’s Govardhan Leela teaches that the true mountain to lift is the mountain of ego — once lifted, divine joy flows freely. 

“When love is selfless, every act becomes worship. When gratitude is sincere, every moment becomes divine.” — Swami Mukundananda 

Let this festival season remind us: in the storms of life, only God’s shelter is eternal — and in the bonds of love, we find the reflection of His grace.  

📚 References 

1. holy-bhagavad-gita.org — Verses from Bhagavad Gita 
2. jkyog.org — Teachings of Swami Mukundananda 
3. radhakrishnatemple.net — Event and Festival Information 
4. Bhakti Shatak and Prem Ras Siddhant by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj