Preparations for the festival of Diwali are going on
in full swing. Govardhan Puja is performed as per the rituals on the next day
of Diwali celebration. The practice of Govardhan Puja has been going on not
from today but since the Dwaparayug of Shri Krishna. But do you know why
Govardhan Puja is performed and what is its religious and mythological
significance. Also, why it is always considered auspicious and necessary to use
the dung of Desi cow i.e. our mother cow in making Govardhan. Let us tell you
all the stories and beliefs related to Govardhan Puja.
How to do Govardhan Puja at home?
Govardhan
Puja is a festival of belief and devotion. It is believed that the festival of
Govardhan is celebrated to commemorate the removal of the ego of Indradev by
Lord Krishna. Also, by mixing grains and vegetables of the new crop, Annakoot
is prepared and offered to Lord Krishna. Therefore, this day is also called
Annakoot festival. People worship Govardhan by making a symbolic Govardhan
mountain from cow dung and placing the idol of Lord Krishna at the main door of
the house. And Govardhan mountain made from cow dung is offered to Lord Krishna
and various types of dishes and sweets.
Why Do We Use Cow Dung to Create Lord
Krishna's Effigy?
Govardhan
Puja has been in practice since Dwaparayuga. Shri Krishna loved cows and calves
very much. At that time Gokul residents used to worship Indradev. Arguing,
Krishna said that Indradev is not our protector, but Govardhan Mountain.
Because it is here that the cows of the cowherds get fodder, from which people
make milk, ghee and butter. Shri Krishna used to serve cows a lot.
Cow dung is considered very sacred. On this day, the shape of a mountain is made from cow dung. Karva sticks are placed in its four corners and many other figures are also made inside it. Which is worshiped on this day. The idol of Govardhan Mountain made from this cow dung is installed as Govardhan Baba. The festival is celebrated on the Pratipada date of Shukla Paksha of Kartik month. It is believed that whoever worships the mountain made of cow dung with devotion on this day, all his wishes are fulfilled.
How to make Govardhan with Cow Dung
First of all take cow dung. With the help of a stick, make eyes and nose
and give it the shape of a face. After the structure of Govardhan Mountain
dries, you can decorate it with crown and clothes. Surround the mountain with
colorful flowers. If you want, you can also use peacock feathers because we
worship Lord Krishna. Govardhan can be decorated by applying white and yellow
bindi or tilak on the forehead. Offer kheel and batasha on cow dung and then
light a lamp in front of them in the evening.
Mythological Story of Govardhan Puja
According
to the legend, one day Mother Yashoda and other Gokul residents were preparing
for the worship of Lord Indra. Then Krishna ji asked Yashoda that for whose
worship preparations were being made today, then Yashoda Mata told that Lord
Indra causes rain, from which we get water. Due to this, food, fruits and flowers
grow in the fields, hence we all worship Lord Indra. Then Krishna ji said that
we all should worship Govardhan Mountain instead of Lord Indra. Our cow grazes
there, we get fruits, flowers and medicines from Govardhan Mountain itself.
Following the advice of Lord Krishna, everyone worshiped Mount Govardhan
instead of Indradev.
Indradev got angry at this and felt that this was an
insult to him. Therefore, in anger, it started raining heavily on Gokul. The
entire Gokul and surrounding area was submerged due to rain. There was panic
all around, then people asked Lord Krishna to protect Gokul. To protect the
people of Brij from the rain, Lord Krishna lifted Govardhan Mountain in his
little finger and kept Govardhan Mountain as an umbrella over Gokul for seven
consecutive days. The people of Brij and the animals protected themselves by
standing under Govardhan Mountain. Indradev's pride was shattered by this act
of Krishna and he apologized to Lord Krishna. Due to this story, on Friday,
women made figures of Sun, Moon and other Gods and Goddesses in the ground
using cow dung in their respective homes. Along with offering curry and rice,
worship was done as per the rituals.
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