Govardhan Pooja is celebrated on the day after Diwali. The pooja is performed predominantly in the northern states of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Bihar. Since then, the practice of performing pooja by building and worshipping hillocks made of cowdung and decorated with flowers has been followed to mark this day. This day is also observed as ‘Annakoot’ -- meaning mountain of food. Fifty-six different kinds of food are offered as prasad to Lord Govardhan and later served to devotees. In temples, especially in Mathura and Nathadwara, the deities are given bath with milk, attired in shining clothes and sparkling jewellery. Thereafter, the deities are worshipped and sevrved with innumerable sweets. In many Hindu homes it is a custom for the wife to put the red "tilak" on the forehead of her husband, garland him and perform an ‘aarti’ to pray for his long life. The husband reciprocates with a costly gift or ‘gudi padwa’ as a symbol of love and devotion. On this day, newly married daughters and husbands are invited for special meals and given presents.
Bureau Report