Pittsburgh Hare Krishna Congregation: Govardhan Puja festival on Sunday Nov 7th at 5:30PM in Dormont Hall

Dear Friends of Lord Krishna,

Hare Krishna!!!

The month of Kartik brings great opportunities to have lots of spiritual fun and spiritual progress. One of the sweetest pastimes performed by Lord Krishna was the "Lifting of Govardhan Hill". This is one of the only major festivals where there is no fasting, rather there is big feasting.

It is time to remember Lord Krishna lifting Govardhana Hill with His little finger, to protect His devotees from torential rains sent by Indra.

Govardhan Puja, also called Annakut, is celebrated as the day Krishna defeated Indra. Lord Krishna taught people to worship nature, as mountains bring rains to earth. That was the reason to stop worshiping Indra. His was the message that we should take care of our nature. For Annakut a mountain of food is decorated symbolizing Govardhan mountain lifted by Lord Krishna.

Pious people keep awake the whole night and cook fifty-six (or 108) different types of food for the bhog (the offering of food) to Krishna. This ceremony is called ankut which means a mountain of food. Various types of food - cereals, pulses, fruit, vegetables, chutneys, pickles, and salads - are offered to the Deity and then distributed as prasada to devotees.

Giriraj Govardhan likes plenty of sweets, so if you wish to prepare sweets......you are most welcome to do so.

"Of all the devotees, this Govardhana Hill is the best! O my friends, this hill supplies Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, as well as Their calves, cows and cowherd friends, with all kinds of necessities - water for drinking, very soft grass, caves, fruits, flowers and vegetables. In this way the hill offers respect to the Lord. Being touched by the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, Govardhana Hill appears very jubilant." (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 10.21.18)