2013 Govardhan Puja and Bali Pratipada
Most of the time
Govardhan Puja day falls next day after
Diwali Puja and it is celebrated as the day when
Lord Krishna defeated
God Indra. Sometimes there might be one day gap between Diwali and Govardhan Puja.
In religious texts, Govardhan Puja celebrations are suggested during Pratipada Tithi of Kartik month. Depending on starting time of Pratipada, Govardhan Puja day might fall one day before on Amavasya day on Hindu calendar.
Gowardhan Puja is also known as
Annakut Puja. On this day food made of cereals like wheat, rice, curry made of gram flour and leafy vegetables is cooked and offered to Lord Krishna.
In Maharashtra the same day is celebrated as
Bali Pratipada or
Bali Padva. The day commemorates victory of
Vamana, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, over
King Bali and subsequent pushing of Bali to
Patal Lok (the underworld). It is believed that due to boon given by Lord Vamana, Asura King Bali visits the
Prithvi Lok from the Patala Lok on this day.
Most of the time Govardhan Puja day coincides with
Gujarati New Year day, which is celebrated on Shukla Paksha Pratipada of Kartik month. Depending on starting time of Pratipada Tithi, Govardhan Puja celebrations could be done one day before Gujarati New Year day.
Check
Govardhan Puja date in 2014
