Govardhan Puja, also known as Annakut, falls today, Tuesday 10 November 2026, the day after Diwali. The festival is observed on Kartik Shukla Pratipada, and it is marked by the worship of Govardhan Hill, the honouring of cattle and a mountain of food offered to Lord Krishna.

There was some confusion about the date this year, and the answer is clear: the festival is observed today because Pratipada prevails at sunrise. The tithi began at 12:31 PM on 9 November and ends at 2:00 PM today, which is why 10 November is the correct date.

The morning puja muhurat for Delhi runs from 6:40 AM to 8:50 AM. The evening muhurat, in the Pradosh period, runs from about 3:20 PM to 5:30 PM, with sources varying slightly on the exact minutes. The Abhijit muhurat falls between 11:43 AM and 12:26 PM. Timings may vary slightly by city, so devotees should confirm with their local panchang.

The festival recalls the story of Lord Krishna lifting Govardhan Hill on his little finger to shelter the people and cattle of Braj from the torrential rain sent by Indra. It symbolises gratitude to nature, cattle and the land that sustains life.

How the puja is performed

Devotees begin by shaping a symbolic Govardhan Hill from cow dung in the courtyard, then decorating it with flowers, lamps and sacred grass. An idol or picture of Lord Krishna is placed at the worship area, and a lamp is lit before the offerings begin.

Gau Puja, the worship of the cow, is central to the day. Cows are bathed, given tilak and garlands, and offered green fodder as a mark of respect. The cow is honoured as a giver of milk and a companion of the farming life.

The Annakut is the best-known part of the festival. A mountain of food is offered to Lord Krishna, and temples present 56 dishes, known as chhappan bhog. Families at home prepare a spread of sweets, fruits and vegetarian dishes and offer them as bhog.

Parikrama and the evening game

Devotees perform seven circumambulations of the symbolic hill, walking around it while chanting the name of Lord Krishna. The parikrama is considered an important part of the ritual, and carrying water while completing it is a customary practice.

In the evening, families traditionally play Dyuta Krida, a game of dice, together. The game is part of the festive customs of the day and brings the family together after the main rituals are done.

Two cautions are repeated in the guides for the day. The puja should not be performed on 9 November, when Amavasya prevailed in the morning, and devotees are advised to avoid non-vegetarian food and alcohol through the day.

Why the festival matters

Govardhan Puja is a festival of gratitude. It thanks the hill for shelter, the cow for sustenance and the land for food, and it places nature at the centre of worship rather than at its edge.

For devotees observing it today, the day runs from the morning muhurat through the Annakut offering and the evening rituals. The date is settled, the timings are known, and the rituals are simple enough to follow at home.