Govardhan Puja and Annakut on 10 November: a hill of food for Krishna गोवर्धन पूजा और अन्नकूट, 10 नवंबर: कृष्ण के लिए अन्न का पर्वत

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In most years Govardhan Puja comes the morning after Diwali. This year it comes on Tuesday 10 November, with a quiet day in between. Diwali is on Sunday 8 November. The Pratipada tithi of Kartik's bright fortnight begins in the afternoon of 9 November, so the morning puja is done on 10 November, when that tithi is present at sunrise. Panchang calls like this are made carefully every year, and it is worth checking your own city's panchang too.

## The story in a few lines

The Bhagavata tells of a year when the people of Braj were preparing their yearly offering to Indra, the god of rain. The child Krishna asked them a simple question. The hill that fed their cows, the forest that gave them wood and the river that gave them water were all right here, so why not honour them? The people agreed and made their offering to Govardhan hill.

Then came a storm that did not stop. Krishna lifted Govardhan on his little finger and held it up like an umbrella, and everyone, with their cows and calves, sheltered under it for seven days. When the rain finally ended, Indra came to Krishna with folded hands, and the people of Braj went home safe.

Families tell this story to children as a story about gratitude, and about trusting the one who looks after us.

## Annakut at home

Annakut means a mountain of food. On this day families cook many dishes, sometimes dozens, and arrange them as a small hill before Krishna. At home you do not need dozens. A few things cooked with care is enough.

- **The hill.** Many families in North India shape a small Govardhan from cow dung on the courtyard floor and decorate it with flowers. In an apartment abroad, a mound of rice or a small heap of sweets on a clean plate is just as good. - **The food.** Rice, a dal, a mixed vegetable often called Annakut ki sabzi, puris, kadhi, a sweet. Whatever your family usually cooks, made a little more lovingly. - **The parikrama.** Walk around the little hill seven times with a lamp, or once, slowly.

There is a verse in the Bhagavad Gita that families often remember on this day. Krishna says (9.26): "patram pushpam phalam toyam yo me bhaktya prayacchati, tad aham bhakty-upahritam ashnami prayatatmanah." In plain words: whoever offers me a leaf, a flower, a fruit or a little water with love, I accept what is offered with love. That is the whole spirit of Annakut.

## If you are in Braj this Kartik

Govardhan, Mathura and Vrindavan are full in Kartik, and the days after Diwali are among the busiest of the year. The 21-kilometre parikrama around Govardhan hill is done barefoot by many, but you can walk it in parts over two or three mornings, or by e-rickshaw for elders. Start early, carry water, and keep your plans loose. In Vrindavan, many temples offer lamps to Krishna as Damodar through the month of Kartik, and the evening lamp is a lovely thing to sit through.

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