The day after Diwali is Govardhan Puja (Annakut) — celebrating Lord Krishna lifting Mount Govardhan to shelter the people of Vrindavan. This HinduTone guide covers Govardhan Puja & Annakut 2026 — the date, vidhi and story.

Govardhan Puja 2026 is on Tuesday, 10 November (Monday, 9 November in the USA, Canada and UK). An "annakut" (mountain of food) is offered to Krishna; in Gujarat this day is also Bestu Varas, the new year.

The Story of Govardhan

When the people of Vrindavan worshipped Indra for rain, Krishna urged them to honour Govardhan hill and nature instead. An enraged Indra sent torrential rain, but Krishna lifted Mount Govardhan on his little finger, sheltering everyone beneath it for seven days — teaching humility and devotion over pride.

Govardhan Puja Vidhi & Annakut

  1. Make a small hill of cow dung or food representing Govardhan, decorated with flowers
  2. Worship Krishna and Govardhan with diyas, flowers and aarti
  3. Prepare and offer an annakut — a grand spread of many vegetarian dishes
  4. Perform parikrama (circumambulation) of the symbolic hill
  5. Distribute the prasadam

Bestu Varas — Gujarati New Year

In Gujarat, the day after Diwali is the new year (Bestu Varas / Nutan Varsh), when families exchange greetings ("Saal Mubarak") and businesses begin fresh account books.

Share the Diwali 2026 blessing

The day after Diwali, we remember how Lord Krishna lifted Mount Govardhan and sheltered everyone beneath it, as commonly told. As the diyas still glow, let their light become the inner light of humility and gratitude, and may Maa Lakshmi's grace fill every kitchen that prepares the annakut with love. Light has triumphed over darkness, and devotion over pride. Share one of these Govardhan Puja blessings with your family and loved ones, and let the warmth of this sacred day reach every home you care about.

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Deepa shloka: the lamp prayer

शुभं करोति कल्याणम् आरोग्यं धनसम्पदा। शत्रुबुद्धिविनाशाय दीपज्योतिर्नमोऽस्तु ते॥

Shubham karoti kalyanam arogyam dhana-sampada, shatru-buddhi-vinashaya deepa-jyotir namostu te.

Meaning: I bow to the light of the lamp, which brings what is auspicious and good, health and prosperity, and destroys ill-will. Many families recite it as they light the evening diya.

Lakshmi mantra for Diwali

ॐ श्रीं महालक्ष्म्यै नमः॥

Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah.

Meaning: Salutations to Mahalakshmi. Shreem is the seed syllable traditionally associated with Lakshmi.

Diwali 2026 messages to share

🪔 Happy Govardhan Puja! May Lord Krishna, who sheltered Vrindavan beneath the hill, keep our whole family safe, united and full of gratitude this Diwali 2026. 🙏 Share on WhatsApp

🙏 To my dear parents and elders: may your blessings be our Govardhan, sheltering us always. Wishing you good health, peace and a joyful Annakut. ✨ Share on WhatsApp

🌸 Dear friend, may your home overflow with the joy of the Annakut and your heart with Krishna's love. Happy Govardhan Puja and a blessed new year! 🪔 Share on WhatsApp

✨ Warm Govardhan Puja and Bestu Varas wishes to you and your team. May the new account books open with honest effort, trust and lasting goodwill. 🙏 Share on WhatsApp

🪔 May Maa Lakshmi bless every home with harmony and contentment, and may the food we offer today return to us as gratitude and grace. Jai Maa Lakshmi! 🌸 Share on WhatsApp

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🙏 As Lord Rama's homecoming to Ayodhya lit up the world, may Lord Ganesha remove every obstacle from your path in the year ahead. Happy Govardhan Puja! 🪔✨ Share on WhatsApp

A short Diwali prayer

Maa Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha, on this day of Govardhan I bow before you with a grateful heart. Thank you for the food on our plates and the people around our table. Keep the lamp of devotion burning within me, grant my family health and harmony, and guide me toward right effort and humility. Like Krishna's sheltering hill, let me be a shelter for others. Accept this simple offering with love.

Use the share buttons on this page to send these blessings to your family and friends.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When is Govardhan Puja 2026?

Tuesday, 10 November 2026 — the fourth day of Diwali (Monday, 9 November in the USA, Canada and UK).

What is Annakut?

A "mountain of food" — a grand offering of many vegetarian dishes to Lord Krishna on Govardhan Puja.

What is Bestu Varas?

The Gujarati New Year, observed on the day after Diwali, with greetings of "Saal Mubarak."

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