
Notes: All timings are represented in 12-hour notation in local time of New Delhi, India with DST adjustment (if applicable).
Hours which are past midnight are suffixed with next day date. In Panchang day starts and ends with sunrise.
Most of the time Govardhan Puja day falls next day after Diwali Puja and it is celebrated as the day when Lord Krishna defeated Lord 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 earlier, on the 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.
During Govardhan Puja, one should remember Lord Govardhan and chant the following Mantra according to one's capacity -
गोवर्धन धराधार गोकुलत्राणकारक।
बहुबाहुकृतच्छाय गवां कोटिप्रदो भव॥
Govardhana Dharadhara Gokulatranakaraka।
Bahubahukritachchhaya Gavam Kotiprado Bhava॥
Meaning - O Govardhan Mountain! O support of the Earth! O protector of Gokul! O Shri Govardhan Nath, whose mighty arms, in the form of peaks, provide shade! May You bestow upon me millions of cows.
Thereafter, one should pray to Gau Mata while chanting the following Mantra -
लक्ष्मीर्या लोकपालानां धेनुरूपेण संस्थिता।
घृतं वहति यज्ञार्थे मम पापं व्यपोहतु॥
Lakshmirya Lokapalanam Dhenurupena Samsthita।
Ghritam Vahati Yajnarthe Mama Papam Vyapohatu॥
Meaning - May Goddess Lakshmi, who abides in the form of a Dhenu, or cow, for all the Lokapalas and Dikpalas, and who provides sacred Ghee for the performance of Yajnas, completely destroy all my sins in Her divine form as Gau Mata.