The fourth day of Diwali celebrations is 'Padwa'. In the North India, it is called as Govardhan Puja. This pooja is performed with great zeal and enthusiasm and in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. In this pooja, there is a tradition of building cow dung hillocks, which symbolize the Mount Govardhan, the mountain which was once lifted by Lord Krishna. After making such hillocks people decorate them with flowers and then worship them. They move in a circle all round the cow dung hillocks and offer prayers to Lord Govardhan.
Govardhan Puja Legends
'Govardhan' is a small hillock situated at 'Braj', near Mathura. The legends in 'Vishnu Puraan' have it that the people of Gokul used to worship and offer prayer to Lord Indra for the rains because they believed that it was he who sent rains for their welfare but Lord Krishna told them that it was Mount Govardhan (Govardhan Paevat) and not Lord Indra who caused rains therefore they should worship the former and not the latter. People did the same and it made Lord Indra so furious that the people of Gokul had to face very heavy rains as a result of his anger. Then Lord Krishna came forward to ensure their security and after performing worship and offering prayers to Mount Govardhan lifted it as an umbrella on the little finger of his right hand so that everyone could take shelter under it. After this event Lord Krishna was also known as Giridhari or Govardhandhari.
Govardhan Puja Vidhi : Procedure of doing Govardhan Puja
Govardhan Puja is generally performed in the morning.
Make a model of Govardhan parvat (mountain) using garden soil.
Decorate it as if you are decorating lord Krishna.
Use mukut, bansuri, flower, tilak etc to form and image of Lord krishna.
Offering 2 sticks of sugarcane, curd, unboiled milk and sweets.
Light the lamp and offer roli, chawal.
Perform parikrama around the model of mountain i.e. Govardhanji.
Read the story of Lord Krishna and Govardhan parvat.
Make a model of Govardhan parvat (mountain) using garden soil.
Decorate it as if you are decorating lord Krishna.
Use mukut, bansuri, flower, tilak etc to form and image of Lord krishna.
Offering 2 sticks of sugarcane, curd, unboiled milk and sweets.
Light the lamp and offer roli, chawal.
Perform parikrama around the model of mountain i.e. Govardhanji.
Read the story of Lord Krishna and Govardhan parvat.
AARTI:
श्री गोवर्धन महाराज, ओ महाराज,
तेरे माथे मुकुट विराज रहेओ ।
तेरे माथे मुकुट विराज रहेओ ।
तोपे पान चढ़े तोपे फूल चढ़े,
तोपे चढ़े दूध की धार ।
तोपे चढ़े दूध की धार ।
तेरी सात कोस की परिकम्मा,
चकलेश्वर है विश्राम ।
चकलेश्वर है विश्राम ।
तेरे गले में कंठा साज रेहेओ,
ठोड़ी पे हीरा लाल ।
ठोड़ी पे हीरा लाल ।
तेरे कानन कुंडल चमक रहेओ,
तेरी झांकी बनी विशाल ।
तेरी झांकी बनी विशाल ।
गिरिराज धारण प्रभु तेरी शरण ।
तेरे माथे मुकुट विराज रहेओ ।
तोपे पान चढ़े तोपे फूल चढ़े,
तोपे चढ़े दूध की धार ।
तेरी सात कोस की परिकम्मा,
चकलेश्वर है विश्राम ।
तेरे गले में कंठा साज रेहेओ,
ठोड़ी पे हीरा लाल ।
तेरे कानन कुंडल चमक रहेओ,
तेरी झांकी बनी विशाल ।
गिरिराज धारण प्रभु तेरी शरण ।
Govardhan Pooja Celebrations Anna-Koot :
The fourth day of diwali celebrations is also observed as Anna-Koot, which literally means 'mountain of food'. On this auspicious day the people prepare fifty-six or one hundred and eight different varieties of delicious dishes to offer Lord Krishna as 'Bhog'. In the temples, specifically in Mathura and Nathdwara, the deities are given milk bath, dressed in new shining attires and decorated with ornaments of dazzling diamonds, pearls, rubies and other precious stones and metals. Then they are worshipped, offered prayers and bhajans and also offered delicious sweets, fruits and eatables that are ceremoniously raised in the form of a mountain before the idols.
Padwa
The fourth day of diwali celebrations or the day following the 'Amavasya' is 'Kartik Shuddh Padwa', which is also the day when the King Bali would come out of the 'Patal Lok', the nether land and rule the 'Bhoo Lok', the world as per the boon given to him by 'Batu Waman', Lord Vishnu. Therefore this day is also known as 'Bali Padyami'. 'Padwa' or 'Varshapratipada' also marks the coronation of King Vikramaditya as 'Vikaram-Samvat' was started from this Padwa day.
Gudi Padwa
The day of Gudi Padwa has special significance for the Hindu families. There is a custom in which on this holy day the wife applies the 'Tilak' on the forehead of her husband, garlands him, performs his 'Aarti' and also prays for his long life. Then the husband gives her a gift in appreciation of all the tender care that his wife showers on him. Thus the Gudi Padwa is festival of celebrations and respect of love and devotion between the wife and the husband. People invite their newly married daughters with their husbands on this day of Gudi Padwa for special meals and give them gifts.
Murli Manohar, Brij ke Dhrohar.
Wo Nandlala Gopala, Bansi Ki Dhun Par Sabke Dukh Harne Wala.
Sab Milkar Machaye Dhoom Ki Krishna Ane Wala Hai.
Happy Govardhan Pooja!!
Chandan ki Khushbu Resham ka Haar
Sawan ki sugandh Barish ki fuhar
Radha ki Ummid KANHAIYA ka pyar
Mubarak Ho apko Govardhan Puja Ka Tyohaar
Sawan ki sugandh Barish ki fuhar
Radha ki Ummid KANHAIYA ka pyar
Mubarak Ho apko Govardhan Puja Ka Tyohaar
