Go Puja & Annakuta Mahotsav
As per the instructions of Krishna and following in the footsteps of the residents of Vrindavan, this festival is celebrated every year in the month of Kartika. Devotees prepare varieties of foodstuffs with grain and ghee (like rice, dhal, halva, etc.) and all kinds of milk preparations. The food is stacked like a small hill and offered to the Lord. Then it is distributed to everyone as prasadam. Hence, this festival is also called Annakuta Festival. Devotees also worship the cows on the day of Govardhan Puja. Krishna is known as Gopala – the protector of cows. There is also a prayer in Vishnu Purana (1.19.65) that states: namo brahmanya-devaya go-brahmana-hitaya ca. Krishna is described as the well-wisher of the cows and the brahmanas. The cows are decorated and fed well. Keeping the cows in front, devotees circumambulate the Govardhan Hill. The Deity of Lord Sri Krishna is decorated in Giridhari alankara, holding the Govardhan Hill on the little finger of His left hand. The devotees make a replica of the Govardhan Hill with egg-less cakes and. All the food preparations are offered to the Lord and later distributed to all the devotees. The cows are well decorated and offered worship. An arati is performed for Gopala, the protector of the cows. The Govardhan pastime is narrated to everyone. A grand arati is performed to the Lord.
