GOVARDHAN PUJA (ANNAKUT)

The day after Deepawali is celebrated as Govardhan Puja (this year at, 6 Nov 2010) when Mount Govardhan, near Mathura, is worshipped. Pious people keep awake the whole night and cook 56 (or 108) different types of food for the bhog (the offering of food) to Krishna. This ceremony is called annkut 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. This festival is in commemoration of the lifting of Mount Govardhan by Lord Krishna. (devotees leaving the temple with all the preparation for annkut)