What is Govardhan Puja?
Govardhan Puja, also called Annakut, recalls Krishna lifting Mount Govardhan to shelter the people from Indra rain. Families offer a mountain of food, visit temples, and in Gujarat many also mark the New Year on this tithi. In Maharashtra the same lunar day is linked with Bali Pratipada.
How the date is chosen
The rule used on Inner Light is that Shukla Pratipada must be present during Pratahkala, the first fifth of the day after local sunrise. When sources disagree about Annakut versus Bali Pratipada clocks, this site keeps that single Pratahkala rule for every city so guides, city pages, and festival tables stay aligned.
Local sunrise and the civil date for your city are on this page.
How it is observed
Morning offering. Prepare a simple Annakut or a plate of grains, sweets, and vegetables and offer it after sunrise in Pratahkala.
Govardhan parikrama. Where tradition allows, walk a symbolic circuit or place a small cow-dung or clay Govardhan form at home.
Shared meal. Share the offered food with family and neighbours after the puja.