Govardhan Puja has special religious significance in Hindu religion. Govardhan Puja and Annakoot Mahotsav are celebrated every year on the Pratipada date of Shukla Paksha of Kartik month. This festival is the fourth day of the five-day festival of Diwali.
According to mythological beliefs, earlier there was a tradition of worshiping Lord Indra and celebrating Indrotsav on this day. However, in Dwapar Yuga, Lord Shri Krishna gave the message of importance of nature, Govardhan mountain and cow dynasty to the people of Braj. After this, the tradition of Govardhan Puja started in place of Indradev worship. Behind this change, there is an interesting mythological story related to Lord Shri Krishna and Devraj Indra.
Annakoot Festival
Influenced by the words of Shri Krishna, the people of Braj started worshiping Govardhan Mountain instead of worshiping Lord Indra. He offered various types of dishes to the mountain. It is believed that after this incident the tradition of celebrating Govardhan Puja and Annakoot Mahotsav became popular. Later, the tradition of offering 56 types of dishes to Lord Krishna in the form of Govardhan also started.
How did Lord Krishna destroy Indradev's pride?
Devraj Indra became angry when the people of Braj stopped worshiping Lord Indra. To avenge his insult, he started torrential rains in the entire Braj region. The people of Braj were in trouble due to continuous rains. Then Lord Shri Krishna lifted Govardhan Mountain on his little finger to protect everyone.
After this, all the Brajvasis, Gop-Gopikas and cows started taking safe shelter under the mountain. It is believed that Lord Shri Krishna held Govardhan Mountain on his finger for seven consecutive days. During this time, even the rains of Indradev could not do any harm to the people of Braj. Eventually Brahmaji told Indradev that Lord Vishnu had incarnated on earth in the form of Shri Krishna. It is not right to oppose them. Knowing this, Indradev realized his mistake. He gave up his pride and asked for forgiveness in front of Lord Krishna.