Why Cows are Worshipped on Govardhan Puja: Importance of Cow Protection in Hindu Tradition

Introduction

Govardhan Puja, also known as Annakut, is celebrated on the first day after Diwali (Kartik Shukla Pratipada) and holds profound significance in Hindu tradition. This sacred day commemorates Lord Krishna’s divine intervention to protect the people of Vrindavan and honors the deep spiritual bond between humanity, nature, and the sacred cow. The worship of cows on this auspicious day symbolizes gratitude, sustenance, and the eternal cycle of giving and receiving in nature.

The Story of Govardhan Puja

The Divine Intervention

The legend of Govardhan Puja is rooted in one of the most celebrated episodes from Lord Krishna’s life in Vrindavan. The story unfolds when Krishna was merely seven years old, yet his wisdom surpassed that of the greatest sages.

The Challenge to Indra

The residents of Vrindavan had been performing elaborate rituals and offerings to Lord Indra, the king of gods and controller of rain, believing that their prosperity depended solely on his blessings. However, young Krishna questioned this practice and explained to the villagers that their true sustenance came not from distant deities but from the earth, the Govardhan Hill, and their cattle.

Krishna proposed that instead of worshipping Indra, they should honor Govardhan Hill, which provided them with fertile land and grazing grounds for their cattle. He emphasized that the cows gave them milk, the earth provided crops, and the hill protected them from harsh weather. The villagers, convinced by Krishna’s wisdom, decided to worship Govardhan Hill instead of Indra.

Indra’s Wrath

Enraged by this perceived insult, Lord Indra unleashed his fury upon Vrindavan. He commanded the clouds to pour torrential rains upon the village, intending to destroy everything and teach the people a lesson for abandoning his worship. The relentless downpour threatened to flood the entire region, putting the lives of villagers and their cattle at grave risk.

Krishna Lifts Govardhan Hill

In response to this calamity, the young Krishna performed an extraordinary feat. He lifted the entire Govardhan Hill with his little finger, holding it up like a massive umbrella. For seven consecutive days and nights, Krishna held the mountain aloft, providing shelter to all the villagers, their families, and their beloved cattle beneath it.

The people and animals huddled safely under the hill while the storm raged outside. Throughout this ordeal, Krishna stood unwavering, demonstrating that divine protection comes through devotion, humility, and respect for nature rather than fear-based worship.

Indra’s Realization and Surrender

After seven days, Indra realized his folly. He understood that Krishna was no ordinary child but the Supreme Lord himself. Humbled and repentant, Indra stopped the rain and descended from the heavens to seek Krishna’s forgiveness. He acknowledged Krishna’s supremacy and recognized that true divinity lies in protecting and nurturing all living beings.

Krishna gently placed the Govardhan Hill back in its position, and the people of Vrindavan celebrated their deliverance with great joy. From that day forward, Govardhan Puja has been celebrated as a reminder of Krishna’s love for his devotees and the importance of honoring nature and cattle.

The Sacred Status of Cows in Hinduism

Kamadhenu: The Divine Cow

In Hindu mythology, the cow is personified as Kamadhenu (also called Surabhi), the divine cow of plenty who emerged during the churning of the cosmic ocean (Samudra Manthan). Kamadhenu is believed to fulfill all wishes and is considered the mother of all cows. She represents the epitome of abundance, prosperity, and selfless giving.

Gau Mata: The Universal Mother

Cows are reverentially called “Gau Mata” (Mother Cow) in Hindu culture because they embody maternal qualities of unconditional giving. Just as a mother nourishes her children without expecting anything in return, the cow provides milk, curd, ghee, and other products that sustain human life. This nurturing aspect elevates the cow to a position of motherhood in Hindu consciousness.

Five Sacred Products (Panchagavya)

The five products obtained from the cow, collectively known as Panchagavya, are considered sacred and purifying:

1. Milk (Dugdha): Symbolizes purity and is used in countless religious ceremonies
2. Curd (Dadhi): Represents auspiciousness and is offered to deities
3. Ghee (Ghrita): The clarified butter used in sacred fire rituals and temple lamps
4. Urine (Mutra): Believed to have medicinal and purifying properties
5. Dung (Gomaya): Used as a natural disinfectant and fuel source

These products are not merely practical resources but are imbued with spiritual significance and are used in various rituals, medicines, and purification ceremonies.

Scriptural References

Ancient Hindu scriptures extensively praise cow protection and reverence:

The Rig Veda states: “The cow is the source of all prosperity. The cow is the foundation of all well-being.”

The Mahabharata declares: “One who protects cows is protected by all the gods. One who harms cows faces divine retribution.”

In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna identifies himself with cows, saying: “Among cows, I am the wish-fulfilling cow Kamadhenu.”

Cow Worship on Govardhan Puja

The Rituals of the Day

On Govardhan Puja, cows hold the central position in worship and celebration. The day’s observances include:

Early Morning Rituals: Devotees wake before dawn to bathe and clean their cows with great care, often decorating them with colorful garlands, painting their horns, and applying tilak (sacred mark) on their foreheads.

Adornment: Cows are dressed in new cloth, adorned with bells, ornamental jewelry, and flower garlands. Their horns are often painted in bright colors and decorated with silver or gold foil.

Worship Ceremony: Special prayers and mantras are recited in honor of the cows. The animals are offered their favorite foods, including fresh grass, grains, jaggery, and specially prepared sweets.

Aarti and Parikrama: Devotees perform aarti (ritual of light) before the cows and circumambulate (parikrama) around them as a mark of respect, just as they would around a deity in a temple.

Community Feeding: In many communities, large groups of cows are gathered and fed collectively, with entire villages participating in this sacred service.

The Annakut Offering

Govardhan Puja is also called Annakut, meaning “mountain of food.” Devotees prepare elaborate vegetarian feasts comprising 56 or 108 different food items, which are first offered to Lord Krishna and Govardhan Hill, and then to cows before being distributed as prasad (blessed food) to devotees.

This practice symbolizes abundance, gratitude for nature’s bounty, and the recognition that all prosperity flows from respecting and nurturing the earth and its creatures.

The Deeper Philosophy: Why Cow Protection Matters

Ecological Wisdom

The Hindu tradition of cow protection reflects profound ecological understanding. In traditional Indian agriculture, cows were central to sustainable farming practices:

• Organic Farming: Cow dung serves as natural fertilizer, enriching soil without chemicals
• Energy Source: Dried cow dung was used as fuel for cooking and heating
• Economic Sustainability: Milk and dairy products provided nutrition and income
• Environmental Balance: Cows maintain grasslands and contribute to biodiversity

Symbol of Non-Violence (Ahimsa)

Cow protection epitomizes the principle of ahimsa (non-violence), which is fundamental to Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist traditions. The cow, being gentle and defenseless, represents all vulnerable beings. Protecting cows extends to protecting all life forms and treating every creature with compassion.

Economic and Social Significance

Historically, a family’s wealth was measured by the number of cows they possessed. Cows provided:

• Nutritional Security: Milk products for growing children and the elderly
• Agricultural Power: Bulls for plowing fields and transportation
• Social Stability: Dairy farming created sustainable livelihoods
• Cultural Continuity: Cows facilitated religious ceremonies and community bonding

Spiritual Symbolism

On a deeper spiritual level, cow worship represents:

• Selfless Service: The cow gives without taking, teaching the virtue of selflessness
• Abundance: The cow symbolizes prosperity that flows from righteous living
• Interconnectedness: Honoring cows acknowledges our dependence on other beings
• Divine Presence: The cow is seen as an embodiment of divine qualities in physical form

Contemporary Relevance

Preserving Indigenous Breeds

India is home to numerous indigenous cow breeds like Gir, Sahiwal, Red Sindhi, and Tharparkar, which are well-adapted to local climates and produce high-quality milk. Govardhan Puja serves as a reminder to preserve these genetic treasures against the pressure of commercial crossbreeding.

Ethical Treatment of Animals

The reverence for cows on Govardhan Puja extends to a broader message about ethical treatment of all animals. In an age of industrial farming and animal exploitation, this festival calls for compassion and conscious consumption.

Environmental Conservation

The Govardhan story emphasizes harmony with nature. Just as Krishna taught villagers to honor the hill and the earth rather than appeasing distant gods through rituals, the festival reminds modern society to focus on environmental conservation and sustainable living.

Community Values

Govardhan Puja strengthens community bonds as people collectively care for cows, prepare offerings, and celebrate together. It reinforces values of sharing, gratitude, and mutual support.

How Govardhan Puja is Celebrated Across India

In Vrindavan and Mathura

The birthplace of this tradition witnesses the grandest celebrations. Thousands of devotees perform parikrama (circumambulation) of Govardhan Hill, which stretches for about 21 kilometers. Temples along the route prepare massive Annakut offerings, and cows are worshipped with elaborate rituals.

In Gujarat

In Gujarat, where the day also marks the beginning of the new year in some communities, people create small hillocks of cow dung to represent Govardhan Hill and worship them. Cows are elaborately decorated and taken in procession through villages.

In Maharashtra

Known as “Padwa” in Maharashtra, the day includes special cow worship along with honoring the marital bond. Husbands and wives exchange gifts, and cows are given special treatment with traditional offerings.

In North Indian Villages

Rural communities organize cow fairs where families bring their best cattle, adorned and groomed. Competitions are held for the best-decorated cow, and communal feasts follow the worship ceremonies.

Practical Ways to Honor Cows on Govardhan Puja

For devotees wishing to observe this sacred day meaningfully:

1. Direct Cow Care: If you have access to cows, clean, bathe, and decorate them. Offer them special food and spend time in their presence with gratitude.
2. Support Gaushalas: Visit or donate to cow shelters (gaushalas) that care for abandoned and elderly cows.
3. Feed Cows: Many communities organize cow-feeding drives. Participate by offering fresh grass, vegetables, fruits, and grains.
4. Create Govardhan Hill: Make a symbolic representation of Govardhan Hill using cow dung or flowers, and perform worship at home.
5. Prepare Annakut: Cook a variety of vegetarian dishes and offer them to Lord Krishna before sharing with family and community.
6. Educate Others: Share the story of Govardhan Puja and the importance of cow protection with younger generations.
7. Practice Compassion: Extend the spirit of the festival by showing kindness to all animals throughout the year.

Conclusion

Govardhan Puja and the worship of cows represent much more than a religious ritual; they embody a complete philosophy of life that honors nature, practices gratitude, and recognizes our interdependence with all creation. The story of young Krishna lifting Govardhan Hill teaches us that true divinity manifests in protecting the vulnerable and nurturing the earth.

In worshipping cows on this sacred day, Hindus acknowledge the debt humanity owes to these gentle creatures who have sustained civilizations for millennia. The cow represents abundance without greed, giving without expectation, and the sacred feminine principle that nourishes all life.

As we face modern challenges of environmental degradation, animal cruelty, and disconnection from nature, Govardhan Puja offers timeless wisdom. It calls us to return to a way of life that respects all beings, lives in harmony with the earth, and understands that our prosperity is intimately connected to the wellbeing of every creature that shares this planet.

May the celebration of Govardhan Puja inspire us to be better guardians of the earth and all its inhabitants, following the example of Lord Krishna, who stood unflinching to protect those who sought shelter under his divine care.

Jai Gau Mata! Jai Govardhan!