India, a land where festivals are woven into the rhythm of nature, celebrates Govardhan Puja as a tribute to gratitude, resilience, and harmony with the environment. Observed on the day following Diwali, the festival recalls Lord Krishna’s divine act of lifting Mount Govardhan to protect the people of Vrindavan. This timeless story continues to inspire ecological reverence and community spirit.

The Legend of Govardhan

The story of Govardhan Puja finds its roots in the Bhagavata Purana. Each autumn, the cowherds of Vrindavan would offer lavish rituals to Indra, the god of rain, seeking prosperity. However, young Krishna urged them to worship Mount Govardhan instead — the very source of their sustenance and livelihood.

Offended, Indra sent torrential rains to punish the villagers. In an extraordinary act of compassion, Krishna lifted Mount Govardhan with his little finger, sheltering everyone beneath it for seven days and nights. Indra ultimately bowed before Krishna, realising the supremacy of divine love and humility over pride and ritual.

This event became symbolic of faith, ecological consciousness, and the celebration of nature — the essence that Govardhan Puja preserves to this day.

The Sacred Role of Cow Dung

During Govardhan Puja, rural courtyards across India come alive with the scent of earth and the sight of cow dung effigies — shaped into hills, cows, and floral motifs.

In Hindu culture, cow dung holds a sacred status. Beyond its practical uses as a disinfectant and fertilizer, it symbolises purity, fertility, and prosperity. Revered as the essence of the divine cow Kamadhenu, it represents the nurturing power that sustains life.

By using cow dung to create Govardhan symbols, devotees not only honour Krishna’s message of harmony with nature but also reaffirm their commitment to sustainable living.

Rituals Rooted in Earth and Devotion

The day of Govardhan Puja is filled with fervour, with homes and temples prepared for the celebration. Here’s a look at the traditional steps of the Puja, highlighting the role of cow dung in each part of the ritual:

1. Creating the Govardhan Hill

In many homes, a small replica of Govardhan Hill is created using cow dung. This mound represents the hill that Krishna lifted, and it often features symbols of fertility, such as grains, cereals, and pulses. People decorate the mound with natural elements like flowers, leaves, and turmeric, making it a beautiful and meaningful centrepiece.

2. Decorating with Patterns and Figures

Artistic expressions play a significant role in Govardhan Puja. Devotees make intricate patterns and figures from cow dung, often crafting small effigies of Krishna, cows, and other symbols of Vrindavan. The dung is often mixed with natural colours like turmeric and vermilion to add vibrancy to the designs. These patterns are symbolic of the devotion and creative spirit of the festival, bringing communities together to celebrate.

3. Worship and Offerings

Once the Govardhan mound and decorations are ready, a Puja is performed to honour Lord Krishna and Mount Govardhan. Devotees offer milk, curd, butter, and sweets, representing Krishna’s love for dairy. They also place small portions of food near the cow dung figures as offerings, praying for the protection and prosperity of their families, crops, and livestock.

4. Parikrama (Circumambulation)

After the Puja, devotees perform a parikrama, or circumambulation, around the cow dung mound. This ritual expresses reverence for nature and the divinity embodied by Govardhan. In Vrindavan, pilgrims take a much longer parikrama route around the actual Govardhan Hill, but for those celebrating at home, walking around the symbolic mound with respect and gratitude suffices.

5. Lighting Diyas (Oil Lamps)

Diyas, or oil lamps, are lit around the cow dung mound, symbolising the removal of darkness and ignorance. The glow of the diyas highlights the natural beauty of the decoration and serves as a reminder of Krishna’s protection. The lamps are typically made of clay, emphasising the festival’s grounding in nature and simplicity.

The Eco-Spiritual Message

Govardhan Puja transcends mythology — it is a celebration of sustainability and balance. Cow dung, being biodegradable and nourishing to the soil, returns to the earth after the ritual, enriching it naturally. The festival stands as an early example of India’s traditional eco-consciousness, reminding us that spirituality and sustainability can coexist beautifully.

For rural households, cow dung also symbolises livelihood and wealth — serving as fuel, fertiliser, and disinfectant. Thus, every ritual gesture becomes a reaffirmation of symbiosis with nature.

A Festival that Nourishes Both Soul & Soil

More than a ritual, Govardhan Puja is a reminder of the eternal bond between humanity and nature. By shaping cow dung into sacred symbols and offering prayers to the earth, devotees embody Krishna’s teachings of humility, gratitude, and ecological balance.

As the diyas flicker against the night sky, illuminating the earthen mound, the message shines clear — true worship lies in harmony with creation.

“May Shri Krishna bless us with the wisdom to protect what sustains us — our soil, our faith, and our shared humanity.”
Hare Krishna!