Annakut means a pile or a mountain of food that is prepared on the fourth day of Diwali on the first lunar day of the Kartik month. One of the main rituals of this day-long festival is Govardhan Puja. The occasion of Annakut commemorates a time in Braj when heavy rains nearly devastated the hamlet, but the Govardhan Hill, which is now found in Mathura, saved all the people and animals. The worshippers assemble a mass of food to present to Lord Krishna, recalling their belief in him and their hope that he would continue to guard them as he did for the Brajvasis.
Source: Pinterest (baps.org)
Annakut puja: The legend associated
In order to protect Lord Krishna from Maharaj Kans, the King of Mathura and Lord Krishna’s evil uncle, Lord Krishna’s father discreetly escaped from jail with the assistance of Lord Vishnu and handed over his son to Nand Maharaj in Gokul.
As Krishna grew up and came to understand the customs of the village, he underlined the value of worshipping essential resources rather than Indra Dev, such as the Govardhan Hill, a significant source of food and usefulness for the locals. The fact that the people embraced Krishna’s recommendation wounded Indra Dev’s ego. Indra Dev caused torrential rains to fall on Vrindavan to express his significance and rage.
Source: Pinterest (Ulani Matheis)
Krishna used his little finger to lift the entire Govardhan Hill and instructed everyone to seek shelter beneath it in order to safeguard the inhabitants and animals. Inspired by Krishna, all the villagers offered help by stuffing thick wooden sticks (laathi) to support the hill.
For seven days and seven nights, he guarded all the villagers until Indra Dev realised that Lord Krishna was none other than Lord Narayan. He put his ego aside, expressed regret for the damage, and made a commitment never to cause trouble again. After the rain stopped, people went home and prepared different dishes to worship Govardhan Hill and Lord Krishna as a gratitude, called Annakut.
Annakut puja: Rituals
In most parts of India, a setup consisting of the Govardhan Hill and idols is made with cow dung, knowing the love that Krishna carried for cows. The setup is decorated with flowers, earthen lamps, sticks, Roli( a sacred red powered colour) & Chawal (rice), and oil lamps and is worshipped as a part of Govardhan Puja.
Source: Pinterest (Rashmi Vajpayee’s Confessions on Culture)
The devotees then pile up the food varieties(vegetarian) in front of the idols, with the sweet dishes closest to them and the cooked grains in the centre to symbolise Govardhan Hill. All the devotees then walk the perimeter of the Hill seven times while chanting.
Source: Pinterest (Anushka)
The festival includes bhajans, chanting, Geeta Path, and the narration of the story associated with the festival in the form of plays, poems, songs, and more. The offered food is then distributed among the devotees as prasad, and the day concludes with a grand feast.
FAQs
What can be made for the Annakut Puja?
A variety of vegetarian food ranging from grains, sweets, and snacks are prepared in different regions of India. The best part about the celebration is that everyone contributes according to their capacity and budget, as god only knows the taste of love and true devotion.
Can I perform the Govardhan Puja with a picture if I cannot make the setup?
Yes, you can participate in the puja with a picture of Govardhan Hill and Lord Krishna.
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