Gowerdhan Pooja 4th Day of Diwali

 

Goverdhan Puja- The Fourth Day of Diwali Festival

The puja performed on the fourth day of Diwali is called the Govardhan Puja.

The puja performed on the fourth day of Diwali is called the Govardhan Puja. The origin of this day goes back to the Dwapara Yuga, and to Lord Krishna. According to legends, he lifted mount Govardhan on this day and hence the day is dedicated to the worshiping the mountain. Goverdhan puja is offered as a tribute to Krishna's heroic feat. In parts of north India, people make cow dung replicas of the fabled mound, decorate it with flower petals and offer prayers.

In few places, Goverdhan puja, also known as Godhan puja The day after Diwali is celebrated as Govadhan Puja when Govardhan Parbat or Mount Govardhan, near Mathura, is worshipped. The devotees of Lord Krishna keep awake the whole night and cook as many as fifty-six or one hundred and eight different types of dishes for the bhog (the offering of food) to Krishna. This sacred ceremony is referred to as ankut i.e. a mountain of food. After being offered to the lord, the delicacies are distributed as prasad to devotees.

Celebration :

On this day, houses and business centers are renovated and rangoli designs to welcome the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. To indicate her long-awaited arrival, small footprints are drawn with rice flour and vermilion powder all over the houses. Lamps are kept burning all through the nights.

Being a day dedicated to the festival of wealth, on this people purchase a new utensil, silver or gold coin or some other precious metal as a sign of good luck on the day of dhanteras. This is also a tradition related with celebrations of the festival of Dhanvantari Trayodashi. Dhanteras festival is ideal time for setting up businesses, commencing new projects, housewarming, deciding wedding dates, buying cars and jewellery.

"Lakshmi-Puja" is performed in the evenings when tiny diyas of clay are lighted to drive away the shadows of evil spirits.