Govardhan Puja 2024
02 November 2024 (Saturday)
The day following Diwali or the fourth day of the Diwali celebrations is known by the names of 'Padwa' or 'Varsha Pratipada', & 'Govardhan Puja'.
These two festivals are celebrated differently in the diverse geographical parts of the country. While the festival of Padwa is celebrated in order to celebrate the coronation of King Vikramaditya, the festival of Govardhan Puja is celebrated for commemorating the incidence of lifting of Mount Govardhan by Lord Krishna.
Both the festivals 'Padwa & Govardhan Puja are celebrated with much fervor in different parts of the country. While Padwa is celebrated in parts like Maharashtra and the western states of India, Govardhan Puja is mainly associated with the Northern parts of the country.
The fourth day of diwali celebrations or the day following the 'Amavasya' is 'Kartik Shuddh Padwa', which is also the day when the King Bali would come out of the 'Patal Lok', the Nether Land and rule the 'Bhoo Lok', the world as per the boon given to him by 'Batu Waman', Lord Vishnu. Since then this day came to be celebrated as Padwa in order to honor and welcome the King Bali. Therefore this day is also known as 'Bali Padyami'.
The day of Gudi Padwa has special significance for the Hindu families. There is a custom in which on this holy day the wife applies the 'Tilak' on the forehead of her husband, garlands him, performs his 'Aarti' and also prays for his long life. Then the husband gives her a gift in appreciation of all the tender care that his wife showers on him. Thus the Gudi Padwa is festival of celebrations and respect of love and devotion between the wife and the husband. People invite their newly married daughters with their husbands on this day of Gudi Padwa for special meals and give them gifts.