The Diwali final day has a medley of festivals all of which fall on 26th October’22 and some have extended mahurat one day prior and later as well, as per Drik Panchang. This post briefly puts the meaning and the stories behind these 5 festivals names viz Govardhan Puja, Gujarati New Year, Annakut, Bali Pratipada and Bhai Dooj
Govardhan Puja and Annakut
Govardhan Puja Date, Time and Mahurat
Date: 26th October’22
Pratipada Tithi begins: 4.18pm (25th October’22)
Pratipada Tithi ends: 2.42pm (26th October’22)
Prathahkaal Muhurat : 6.29am to 8.43am (26th October’22)
Govardhan Puja generally falls a day or so after Lakshmi Puja. Lord Krishna and Govardhan parvat are worshipped on this day by the whole country especially Vaishnavites.
Go means ‘cow’ and Vardhan means ‘nourishment’.
A massive number of delicacies cooked from cereals like wheat, rice, gram flour and leafy vegetables are served to Lord. This day is also called as Annakut (meaning mountain of food)
Govardhan Puja/Annakut Krishna Story
As per Bhagavata Purana when Indra saw that the cowherds in Vrindavan had started worshipping Krishna and forgotten him (Indra), he went wild with egoistic rage. He unleashed thunderstorms and downpours that threated to drown everything.
That’s when Krishna picked up Govardhan hill and rested it on his little finger to give refuge to both humans and animals. For over a week people took safe shelter under the hill and Indra’s torrential rains could cause them no harm.
Finally, Indra gave up and bowed to Krishna. Since then, Govardhan Puja is celebrated as an act of gratitude to Lord Krishna.
This day is a reminder that God is always there to save the day and one must keep the faith steady in tough times.
Govardhan Puja rituals
Lord Krishnas idol is bathed in milk. Lamps are lit and offerings made. Many food delicacies are made and offered served in small mountain shaped heaps. In some states devotees prepare food platters with close to 56 different items.
Indra, Agni, gods of fire, seas etc are worshipped differently in different states.
Mounds of cow-dung or mud are used to make mini models of Govardhan mountain, and they are decorated with incense, flower and diyas. Offerings of fruit, water, milk, honey etc are made
Craftsmen worship Vishwakarma, the god of artisans by doing puja of their tools and equipment.
Gujarati New Year
Gujarati New year coincides with Govardhan Puja/Annakut
Most of the lunar calendars start in Chaitra month on Shukla Paksha Pratipada. And that is why Gudi Padwa, Yugadi and other regional New years are celebrated around that time.
But Gujarati New Year starts in the Kartik month on Shukla Paksha Pratipada and that’s why it is a part of Diwali festivities.
On this day Gujaratis close old books of accounts and start new books of Accounts.
Bali Pratipada
Mahabali, the grandson of Prahlada was a daitya king and a descendant of Sage Kashyapa.
A devotee of Vishnu, he is known as one of the most powerful and just rulers of the world. There was so much progress and prosperity in his reign that his kingdom became a paradise. His people loved and cherished him.
He is also believed to be a Chiranjivi as in immortal as he had accessessed a bit of the amrit (nectar) from the Samudra manthan. Bali was so powerful that soon he conquered both heaven and earth and displaced the Gods.
The Gods resented this and begged Vishnu to correct this imbalance of power.
Lord Vishnu steps in
Reluctantly, Vishnu reincarnated as a Vaman (Dwarf Brahmin priest) and arrived at Mahabali’s palace. Mahabali, involved in a yajna, bowed to him and asked him how he could help. Vishu replied that he needed 3 steps of land. Mahabali obliged.
Vishnu then assumed his massive form and covered the whole earth with one step and the whole heavens with the second step. The he asked Bali where he should keep his third step to which Mahabali bowed before him and offered him his head.
There are many versions to what happens after this. But most popular one is that Bali was sent away as the king of Patala. But Vishnu granted him the boon that once every year he can come back to his homeland. Bali Pratipada and Onam harvest festivals are all dedicated to Mahabali’s homecoming every year
It is also believed that Mahabali will be the king of Heavens in the next Yuga.
Bhai Dooj, Bhau Beej
Also known as Bhau Beej Bhratri Dwitiya, Bhai Dooj is celebrated in the 2nd lunar day of the Shukla Paksha of Kartik month. Thematically it is the same as Raksha Bandhan.
In southern part of India this day is also known as Yama Dwitiya
Bhai Dooj Date, time and Muhurat
As per Hindustan Times, this year the second day of Kartik month falls on both 26th and 27th October’22
Dwitiya Tithi starts: 2.42pm (26th October’22)
Dwitiya Tithi ends: 12.45pm (27Th October’22)
Puja muhurat: 1.18pm to 3.33pm (26th October’22)
As per Hindu Mythology, after slaying Narakasura , Krishna visited his sister Subhadra. She welcomed him warmly with flowers and sweets and also applied tilak on his forehead. This is believed to be the origin of this festival.
Bhai Dooj Puja Ritual
In Bhai Dooj, sisters invite their brothers over and treat them with their favourite food. They also apply tilak (paste of vermillion rice and dahi) on their forehead and offer them pumpkin flower, betel, betel nuts and coins.
A kalawa is also tied on his wrist and aarti is done. The sister prays for their long healthy life and happiness and prosperity. She also gives him his favourite gifts.
In return the brother too pampers her with gifts while resolving to always protect her.
Girls who do not have a brother pray to the moon, instead. Also, sisters who stay far away from their brothers and cannot meet them, pray to the moon God Chandra, perform aarti. They request Chandra to convey their wishes to the brother.
That’s why in Hindus, the moon is called ‘Chanda-mama’ – mama being the hindu name for maternal uncle.
Basundi Poori, Kheerni Poori, Shrikhand poori, Laddoos all are favourite foods in Bhai Dooj feasts.
