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Govardhan Puja, a significant festival celebrated primarily in the northern regions of India, is deeply rooted in devotion and gratitude towards Lord Krishna. This festival commemorates the day when Krishna lifted the mighty Govardhan Hill to protect the villagers of Vrindavan from the wrath of Lord Indra, the god of rain.
Celebrated on the fourth day of Diwali, Govardhan Puja marks the day when devotees offer thanks to Krishna for his protection and guidance. The festival is filled with vibrant rituals, joyous songs, and the preparation of elaborate offerings, all intended to honour the divine. Devotees prepare a wide variety of prasads and foods, symbolising the bounty of nature that Krishna protects and nurtures.
Annakoot
Annakoot is a special prasad offered to Lord Krishna on Govardhan Puja, made by cooking a mix of seasonal vegetables, grains, and lentils. The dish symbolises abundance and gratitude, using ingredients like potatoes, pumpkin, brinjal, beans, and spinach. Cooked in ghee with mild spices, it delivers a rich, earthy flavour with a creamy yet hearty texture. The variety of vegetables blends into a deliciously wholesome offering, representing nature’s bounty and devotion to Lord Krishna.
Suji Halwa
Suji Halwa is a beloved prasad offered to Lord Krishna on Govardhan Puja, made with semolina, ghee, sugar, and cardamom. The preparation begins by roasting suji in ghee until golden, followed by adding water and sugar to create a smooth, aromatic blend. Flavoured with cardamom and garnished with almonds or raisins, this halwa boasts a rich, melt-in-the-mouth texture. Its delicate sweetness and warm, nutty flavours make it a perfect offering to celebrate Krishna's devotion.
Makhan Mishri
Made with fresh homemade butter (makhan) and sugar crystals (mishri), it’s a favourite of Krishna, who loved butter. To prepare, churn cream to extract soft, creamy butter, then mix with crunchy mishri. The flavours are mildly sweet and creamy, while the texture combines the smoothness of butter with the crunch of sugar crystals. This offering is symbolic of purity and devotion.
Panchamrit
This prasad consists of five key ingredients: milk, curd, honey, ghee, and sugar, symbolising purity and devotion. To make it, combine equal parts of these ingredients, stirring them gently to form a creamy, smooth mixture. The flavours are a blend of sweetness from honey and sugar, complemented by the richness of milk and ghee. Its silky texture and divine taste make Panchamrit a perfect, holy offering.
Kheer
Made by simmering rice in milk, it’s sweetened with sugar or jaggery and flavoured with cardamom, saffron, and a touch of rose water. The rich, creamy texture comes from slow cooking, while the sweetness balances with the fragrant spices. Garnish the kheer with chopped nuts like almonds and pistachios for added crunch and richness. Its comforting flavour makes it a perfect offering to honour the deity.
