Govardhan Puja 2026 in New Zealand: Date, Auckland Muhurat, Annakut and PM Modi's Greetings

Govardhan Puja 2026 in New Zealand is on Tuesday, 10 November 2026, the same day as in India. Hindu families and temples in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and across Aotearoa will mark Annakut with a mountain of vegetarian offerings, Govardhan worship, Go Puja, kirtan and prasadam.

The day also carried a message from India: Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted devotees on Govardhan Puja, praying that "everyone be blessed with peace, happiness and abundance".

Govardhan Puja 2026 date and muhurat in New Zealand

Govardhan Puja is kept on Kartik Shukla Pratipada. In New Zealand, Pratipada runs from about 8:01 PM on Monday 9 November to about 9:30 PM on Tuesday 10 November, so it prevails at sunrise on Tuesday 10 November.

Times are HinduTone's calculation (the first and last fifth of daylight), rounded to the minute; the same method gives 6:40 AM – 8:50 AM for New Delhi. Follow your temple's schedule for the Annakut darshan.

PM Modi's Govardhan Puja message

On Instagram, the Prime Minister wrote: "On the auspicious occasion of Govardhan Puja, may everyone be blessed with peace, happiness and abundance." On X he wished that the festival would bring new energy and enthusiasm to every life, and shared a verse in praise of Govardhan-dhari Krishna:

आभीरनगरीप्राणप्रियं सत्यपराक्रमम् । स्वभृत्यभयभेत्तारं गोवर्धनधरं भजे ॥

"I worship the lifter of Govardhan, dearer than life to the people of Braj, whose valour is true, and who destroys the fears of his devotees." Read the full story: PM Modi's Govardhan Puja 2026 greetings.

Why Govardhan Puja is celebrated

Govardhan Puja recalls how Lord Krishna lifted Govardhan Hill on his little finger to shelter the people and cattle of Braj from Indra's torrential rain. It is a day of gratitude to nature, to cows and to Krishna's protecting grace. Read the full legend of Krishna and Govardhan Giri.

How New Zealand Hindus celebrate

• Annakut: a "mountain of food" of many vegetarian dishes offered to Krishna, then shared as prasadam.
• Govardhan worship: a small Govardhan hill shaped from food or cow dung at home or in the temple, worshipped and circled in parikrama.
• Go Puja: worship of cows, where temples or farms keep them.
• Kirtan, aarti and prasadam at mandirs across the country.

Govardhan Puja at New Zealand temples

In the Auckland region, ISKCON's New Varshan temple in Kumeu, home of Sri Sri Radha Giridhari, is known for its Govardhan Puja celebrations with Annakut, abhishek, Go Puja, cultural programmes and a feast; check the temple's announcements for this year's timings. Many other mandirs in Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton and Christchurch also hold Annakut darshan on or around 10 November, often moving larger gatherings to the weekend. For temples and community life, see our guide to Hindus in New Zealand.

Celebrating at home

• Clean the home and shape a small Govardhan hill on a plate or in the courtyard.
• Offer Annakut: rice, dal, vegetables, sweets and seasonal fruits, as many dishes as your family can make.
• Light a diya and perform parikrama of the Govardhan.
• Chant "Govardhan Maharaj ki jai" and Krishna's names.
• Share prasadam with family and neighbours.

For a full menu, see our Chappan Bhog list for Govardhan Puja. For other countries, see Govardhan Puja 2026 in the USA, UK, Canada and UAE.

May Shri Krishna, the lifter of Govardhan, shield every home in Aotearoa with peace, prosperity and spiritual strength.

Jai Shri Krishna! Jai Govardhan Maharaj!

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Govardhan Puja 2026 in New Zealand?

Tuesday, 10 November 2026, the same day as in India.

What is the Govardhan Puja muhurat in Auckland?

The morning (pratahkala) muhurat is 6:08 AM to 8:55 AM and the evening (sayankala) muhurat 5:15 PM to 8:02 PM on 10 November.

What did PM Modi say on Govardhan Puja 2026?

"On the auspicious occasion of Govardhan Puja, may everyone be blessed with peace, happiness and abundance."

Where can I celebrate Govardhan Puja in Auckland?

ISKCON's New Varshan temple in Kumeu (Sri Sri Radha Giridhari) and other Auckland mandirs hold Annakut celebrations; check each temple's schedule.