Govardhan Puja 2026: Mark your calendar for November 9 or 10

Govardhan Puja, celebrated on the day after Diwali, holds profound religious significance in Hindu tradition as devotees honour Lord Krishna's divine act of lifting the Govardhan mountain to protect villagers from torrential rains. The festival typically falls on the Pratipada tithi (first lunar day) of the Hindu month of Kartik in the waxing phase of the moon. For 2026, worshippers should note the specific date and auspicious timing to perform puja rituals appropriately.

The exact date of Govardhan Puja depends on the lunar calendar and the precise moment when the Pratipada tithi occurs. While preliminary calculations suggest the celebration may fall on either November 9 or 10, 2026, confirming the precise shubh muhurat (auspicious time) requires consultation of detailed Hindu almanacs closer to the date. The tithi's duration and local timezone variations can affect the observance date in different regions.

Traditionally, Govardhan Puja involves circumambulating cattle and cow dung representations of the Govardhan mountain, offering food, and conducting prayers. The festival is often accompanied by Annakut celebrations, where devotees prepare and offer fifty-six varieties of food items to the deity, symbolising abundance and gratitude for a bountiful harvest.

Hindu calendar observers and temple authorities typically release official dates and muhurat timings in the weeks preceding the festival, ensuring devotees can plan their worship accordingly. Regional variations in observance practices remain common across India's diverse religious communities.