Diwali 2026 · Day 4
Govardhan Puja 2026: date, muhurat and Annakut
Govardhan Puja and Annakut fall on Tuesday, 10 November 2026. Here is the muhurat, the story and how the puja is done.
Govardhan Puja 2026 date and muhurat
Timings are for New Delhi (IST).
The story behind Govardhan Puja
The people of Braj used to worship Indra, the god of rain. Young Krishna asked them to worship Govardhan hill instead, which gave them grass for cows, water and shelter. Angry, Indra sent seven days of storms. Krishna lifted the Govardhan hill on his little finger and sheltered everyone under it until Indra accepted his mistake. The festival celebrates nature, cattle and humility.
How Govardhan Puja is done
- A small Govardhan hill is shaped from cow dung (or clay) in the courtyard, decorated with flowers, and given a figure of Krishna.
- Families offer milk, curd, sweets, kheer, and the Annakut dishes, then go around the Govardhan (parikrama) seven times.
- Cows and bullocks are bathed, decorated and fed.
- In Mathura and Vrindavan, lakhs of devotees do the Govardhan parikrama, and temples display the Annakut.
Other celebrations on the same day
In Gujarat this is Bestu Varas, the Gujarati New Year. In Maharashtra and Karnataka it is Bali Pratipada (Padwa), honouring King Bali, and couples celebrate Diwali Padwa.
Frequently asked questions
When is Govardhan Puja in 2026?
Govardhan Puja is on Tuesday, 10 November 2026. Pratipada tithi runs from 12:31 PM on 9 November to 2:00 PM on 10 November.
What is the Govardhan Puja muhurat 2026?
The morning (pratahkala) muhurat in New Delhi is 6:40 AM to 8:50 AM on 10 November.
Why is Govardhan Puja not the day after Diwali in 2026?
Amavasya lasts until 12:31 PM on 9 November, so Pratipada is present at sunrise only on 10 November.
What is Annakut?
Annakut means "a mountain of food". Families and temples prepare dozens of dishes, often 56 (chhappan bhog), and offer them to Lord Krishna as Govardhan.
Next in Diwali 2026
Last updated: 2 October 2026