Padwa & Govardhan Puja

जय श्री कृष्ण 

Padwa

The day following the Amavasya is “ Kartik Shuddh Padwa ” and it is only on this day that the King Bali would come out of Pathal Loka and rule Bhulok as per the boon given by Lord Vishnu. This day also marks the coronation of King Vikramaditya and Vikaram-Samvat was started from this Padwa day.


Govardhan-Puja
Govardhan-Puja is also performed in the North on this day. Govardhan is a small hill in Braj, near Mathura and on this day of Diwali people build cowdung, hillocks, decorate them with flowers and then worship them. This festival is in commemoration of the lifting of Govardhan Mountain by Lord Krishna. As per Vishnu-Puran the people of Gokul used to celebrate a festival in honor of Lord Indra and worshiped him after the end of every monsoon season but one particular year the young Krishna stopped them from offering prayers to Lord Indra who in terrific anger sent a deluge to submerge Gokul.

People were afraid that the downpour was a result of their neglect of Lord Indra. But Lord Krishna assured them that no harm would befall them. He lifted Govardhan Mountain with his little finger and sheltered men and beasts from the rain.