Govardhan Puja 2012
Annakut offering the day after Diwali.
Muhurat & timings
Kashi/IST · astronomically computed- Sankalp (sunrise)06:14
- Sunset17:10
- Fasting window (tithi)03:43 → 2012-11-15 · 00:02
- Parana (tithi ends)00:022012-11-15
Festival days follow the classical attribution rules — udaya (sunrise), pradosha (evening), nishita (midnight), madhyahna or aparahna vyapini as each festival prescribes — computed for Kashi/Varanasi (IST). Regional observance can differ by a day in some years.
Read the Govardhan Puja puja vidhi, vrat rules and kathaGovardhan Puja — Frequently Asked Questions
When is Govardhan Puja celebrated?
On the Pratipada of the Shukla Paksha of Kartika, in autumn — the first day of the bright fortnight, the day after Diwali. For this year's date, see the date shown above.
What is Annakut?
The 'mountain of food' — a large spread of vegetarian dishes cooked and heaped before Krishna in the image of the Govardhan hill he lifted, then offered and shared as prasad, ideally with the whole community.
Why is a Govardhan hill made of cow dung?
A small hill is modelled from cow dung and decorated with trees, cattle and figures, and worshipped as Govardhan itself. Cow dung ties the rite to the pastoral, agrarian world the festival gives thanks for.
What does Govardhan Puja teach?
The katha turns worship away from Indra, a distant power appeased through fear, toward the hill, the cattle and the land that actually sustain life. It is a festival of gratitude to nature.
Other major festivals in 2012
- Makar Sankranti — 15 January 2012
- Vasant Panchami — 28 January 2012
- Maha Shivaratri — 20 February 2012
- Holika Dahan — 7 March 2012
- Holi — 9 March 2012
- Chaitra Navratri begins — 23 March 2012
- Ram Navami — 1 April 2012
- Akshaya Tritiya — 24 April 2012
- Jagannath Rath Yatra — 21 June 2012
- Guru Purnima — 3 July 2012
- Nag Panchami — 24 July 2012
- Raksha Bandhan — 2 August 2012
- Krishna Janmashtami — 8 September 2012
- Hartalika Teej — 18 September 2012
- Ganesh Chaturthi — 19 September 2012
- Anant Chaturdashi — 29 September 2012
- Pitru Paksha begins — 1 October 2012
- Sharad Navratri begins — 16 October 2012
- Durga Ashtami — 22 October 2012
- Maha Navami — 23 October 2012
- Dussehra / Vijayadashami — 24 October 2012
- Karwa Chauth — 2 November 2012
- Dhanteras — 11 November 2012
- Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali) — 13 November 2012
- Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) — 13 November 2012
- Bhai Dooj — 15 November 2012
- Chhath Puja — 19 November 2012
- Kartik Purnima (Dev Deepawali) — 28 November 2012
- Guru Nanak Jayanti — 28 November 2012
- Hindu Festivals 2012 →