Govardhan Puja 2026 Date & Muhurat: 10 November (Annakut)
Govardhan Puja 2026 is on Tuesday, 10 November 2026. In New Delhi the Pratahkala (morning) puja muhurat is 6:40 AM to 8:50 AM. There is a gap day after Diwali this year: Lakshmi Puja is on 8 November and Govardhan Puja on 10 November.
| Date | Tuesday, 10 November 2026 |
| Also known as | Annakut, and in western India Diwali Padwa / Bali Pratipada |
| Pratahkala muhurat (New Delhi) | 6:40 AM to 8:50 AM (2 hours 10 minutes) |
| Pratipada tithi | 12:31 PM, 9 November to 2:00 PM, 10 November 2026 |
| Day of Diwali | Day 4 of the 5-day festival |
Why is there a gap after Diwali in 2026?
Govardhan Puja is kept on the Pratipada (first day) of the bright half of Kartik, at sunrise. In 2026 the Amavasya tithi of Diwali continues past sunrise on 9 November and Pratipada begins only at 12:31 PM that day, so the first sunrise in Pratipada is on 10 November.
What is Govardhan Puja?
Govardhan Puja commemorates Lord Krishna lifting Govardhan hill on his little finger to shelter the people and cattle of Vrindavan from torrential rain sent by Indra. Krishna had encouraged the villagers to worship the hill that sustained them instead of Indra, and the festival celebrates gratitude for nature, food and cattle.
It is especially important in Braj (Mathura, Vrindavan and Govardhan), in Vaishnava temples, and among ISKCON devotees, who prepare an Annakut, a “mountain of food”.
How Govardhan Puja is celebrated
- Govardhan model: a small hill is shaped from cow dung or clay in the courtyard and decorated with flowers, and worshipped with lamps, water and offerings.
- Annakut: dozens of vegetarian dishes are offered to Krishna, often arranged as a hill, then shared as prasad.
- Parikrama: devotees walk around the Govardhan model, and in Braj many walk the 21 km parikrama of Govardhan hill itself.
- Cattle worship: cows and bullocks are bathed, decorated and fed.
- Western India: in Gujarat the day is the Gujarati New Year (Bestu Varas), and in Maharashtra it is Diwali Padwa, honouring the bond of husband and wife and King Bali.
Frequently asked questions
Is Govardhan Puja on 9 or 10 November 2026?
On Tuesday, 10 November 2026, for New Delhi. Some calendars outside India list 9 November because the tithi timing differs by location.
What is the difference between Govardhan Puja and Annakut?
They are the same festival. Annakut (“mountain of food”) refers to the large offering of dishes made on Govardhan Puja.
Related guides
- 5 days of Diwali
- Diwali 2026 date and Lakshmi Puja time
- Bhai Dooj 2026
- Hindu festivals in November 2026
