By Aalia Khan
Following the day after the Diwali celebrations many Hindu couples will be carrying out the fourth day festivities, in the five day celebrations, called the Diwali Padwa. 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 the lifting of Mount Govardhan by Lord Krishna.
According to a famous legend, on this very day the very powerful King Bali comes out of the patala lok every year to rule over his kingdom on Bhuloka as per the boon awarded to him by Lord Vishnu. Since then this day came to be celebrated as Padwa in order to honour and welcome the King Bali. The day of Padwa has an historic importance as it is considered to be the day of the coronation of king Vikramaditya.
This day is dedicated to the husband and wife relationship and as a symbol of love and affection gifts will be exchanged between married couples. People will also invite their married daughters and sons-in-law over for a special meal and give them gifts and presents after the feast.
Further prayers and worships are conducted on this day. It is believed that Lord Indra, the god of rain, in a bout of anger sent a deluge to submerge the village called Gokul. In order to save the villagers from torrential rain, Lord Krishna lifted mount Govardhan with his little finger and all the villagers could take shelter under it. This forced Lord Indra to accept Lord Krishna’s supremacy.
Therefore Govardhan Puja day is also celebrated as “Annakoot” which means mountain of food. Fifty six types of food known as “Chappan Bhog” is cooked for offering to Lord Krishna. Various varieties of sweets are raised in shape of a mountain in front of Deities after which the devotees take Prasad (food offered in worship to the saint first) from the mountain of sweets.
We would like to wish you all a happy Diwali Padwa!
