By Gopal Sharan Sharma
2025.10. 22 (Vrindavan Today News): In the folk life of Braj, Giriraj Puja holds profound spiritual significance. The day following Diwali is celebrated as Annakoot Mahotsav, a festival of joy, devotion, and gratitude. Throughout Vrindavan, every temple comes alive with enthusiasm as devotees commemorate Lord Krishna’s divine act of lifting Govardhan Hill — a symbol of humility’s triumph over pride and reverence for nature.
In ancient times, the cowherds of Braj used to worship Indra, the god of rain. But Lord Krishna, ever the protector of nature, inspired Nanda Baba and the cowherds to replace the worship of Indra with that of Govardhan Hill — the earthly manifestation of the divine. Obeying His word, they prepared a grand celebration on Kartik Shukla Pratipada. With carts full of delicacies, beautifully decorated cows, and hearts brimming with devotion, they gathered around Govardhan Hill. After bathing the hill with pure water, they performed abhishek with milk, curd, turmeric, and vermilion, and offered before Giriraj Ji a great variety of dishes. The heap of food was so enormous that it formed a veritable mountain — hiding even Giriraj behind it.
To humble Indra’s arrogance, Shri Krishna held up the Govardhan Hill on His little finger for seven days, shielding the people of Braj from the torrential rain. On the eighth day, the grateful villagers offered Him fifty-six varieties of food — a gesture of love that established the enduring traditions of Annakoot and Chhappan Bhog (the fifty-six offerings).
Even today, the temples of Vrindavan celebrate Govardhan Puja and Annakoot with the same ancient devotion. The prasadam offered to the Lord is prepared according to traditional rules, with dozens of varieties of food emerging from the sacred kitchens. The Chhappan Bhog includes rice, kadhi, kheer, millet, roti, phulka, laddoo, choorma, gunja, malpua, dahi vada, ras panchami, saunth, basundi, mohanthal, chandrakala, jalebi, sikharan, potato, sweet potato, sakarpara, mangoda, papad and more. Alongside these age-old dishes, modern sweets and savories like mini kachori, doda barfi, gulab jamun, mava chamcham, and bird-shaped samosa also find a place — blending tradition with innovation.
When Thakur Ji is offered Chhappan Bhog in Vrindavan, the devotees sing the age-old Braj verses that describe each delicacy with poetic sweetness. From Ashtachhap poetry to the devotional vani of various Vaishnava traditions, the beauty of Annakoot and Chhappan Bhog has been celebrated in countless compositions.
The major temples of Vrindavan — Shri Radharaman, Shri Govinda Dev, Shri Radha Vallabh, Shri Radha Damodar, Shri Radha Raman, Shri Rangji, Shri Goda Vihar, Thakur Rasbihari Nikunj Bihari etc.— all celebrate Annakoot Utsav with grandeur and devotion.
In Vrindavan’s households and temple courtyards, the figure of Govardhan Maharaj is artistically shaped from cow dung on this day. The form is human-like, with one hand raised upwards — symbolizing Lord Krishna lifting Govardhan Hill. Smaller figures of milkmaids (Gujari), cowherd women (Gwalin), and Mathaniyas are made alongside, depicting the joyous Braj community.
Annakoot truly nourishes India’s ancient cultural soul. During this festival, devotees offer their love and gratitude to the Lord with full-hearted devotion. Children and elders alike forget their daily routines and immerse themselves in festive joy. The divine scene of Krishna’s five-thousand-year-old pastime seems to come alive once again. Vaishnava devotees consider themselves blessed to witness it, for when the seed of devotion begins to sprout in one’s heart, the bliss of the festivals of Shri Dham Vrindavan can never be forgotten.
