Govardhan Puja: Abhishek with stream of milk, part of Annakoot; Flood of faith gathered in Giriraj Maharaj temple - govardhan puja food dedicated to giriraj maharaj and milk also offered to giriraj ji maharaj

Updated: Wed, 22 Oct 2025 23:14 (IST) A mountain of food was dedicated to Giriraj Maharaj in the Annakoot festival in Govardhan. The anointing was done with streams of milk, showing a confluence of devotion and magnificence. Lakhs of devotees flocked and offered Annakoot. Govardhan was filled with devotion and enthusiasm for three days, with chants of ‘Radhe Radhe’ echoing in all directions. There was great faith in the darshan of Giriraj Maharaj. Jagran Rasik Sharma, Jagran, Govardhan. ‘Lê kai Gwal Bal Lal Girivar pujaya liyou… Tope chadai dhar ki doodh…’ This sound of Dwapar reverberates in Brajbhoomi on Wednesday. When the mountain of food was dedicated to mountain king Govardhan, Giriraj Maharaj was anointed with streams of milk. When the devotees offered Annakoot Prasad to Girirajji by placing Chhabriya on their heads, devotion and grandeur became one. There was a flood of reverence from Mukharvind, the crown of Govardhan to Anyur, Jatipura, Radhakund, Barsana and Nandgaon. When foreign culture was adorned with indigenous clothes and imbued with devotion to Kanha, the land of Girirajji seemed to become a map of the world. Remove Advertisement Only Read News Mountain of food dedicated to Giriraj Maharaj, continuous stream of milk flowed on Govardhan Maharaj. It is mentioned in religious books that on this day in Dwaparayug Shri Krishna opposed the worship of Indra and started worshiping Giriraj Maharaj. Along with a group of cowherds, he circumambulated Saptakoshi and offered Annakoot food. Since then, this tradition is followed to this day. It is said that at that time so much milk was offered that the streets of Braj were full of milk. The same scene came alive again on Wednesday. The flow of milk that started on the rocks of Giriraj in the morning stopped only late at night. Govardhan has become a wonderful confluence of devotion, culture and devotion. There were queues of devotees in the foothills of Giriraj since Wednesday morning. Devotees who came out along with Chhabria from Mukut Mukharvind Temple, Danghati, Hardev Temple and Gaudiya Maths dedicated Annakoot to Giriraj Maharaj. Women also participated in the worship in traditional clothes with Chhabria on their heads. The seven kos parikrama route resounded with the melodious sounds of bhajan kirtan and shouts of ‘Giriraj Maharaj ki Jai’. Faith continued to swell for 72 hours, the human chain remained for 25 hours, around 30 lakh people worshipped. A confluence of foreign culture with Indian devotion was seen in the courtyard of Govardhan Giriraj Prabhu. Foreign devotees dressed in traditional Indian sarees and dhoti kurtas were also seen singing the praises of Seven Kos Giriraj. Govardhan literally became a mini world on this day. Where language, country and culture are all incorporated in one name, Jai Shri Giriraj Dharan. Annakoot decorated like this: Hundreds of types of dishes are decorated in Annakoot Bhog. Puri, Kachori, vegetables, kadhi, rice, sweets, pua, butter, sweets, mathri, kheer, rasgulla, rabri, papad and even pickles. Devotees offered the dishes brought from their homes to Girirajji and took the prasad. Annakoot procession was taken out under the leadership of Receiver Kapil Chaturvedi on behalf of Giriraj Mukut Mukharvind Temple. In the procession, fifty-six sacrifices were offered while circling the Mansi Ganga along with the forms of Krishna-Balram. There was not even an inch of space left in the parikrama route. The devotees kept circling Giriraj while dancing to the hymns. Brajvasi reached the ancient Annakut sites of Radhakund and Anyur with plates full of traditional dishes. Goswami Samaj and Danghati Temple Sevayats also hosted Annakoot at Hardev Temple. From the window of history, there is a mythological belief that when Indra commanded the clouds to rain calamity on Braj land, the seven-year-old Kanhaiya carried seven kos long Giriraj on his little finger and protected the people of Braj for seven days and seven nights. From then Govardhan Puja and Annakoot festival started. This tradition, from the next day of Diwali, remains the identity of Braj even today. Wednesday in Govardhan has not only become a symbol of devotion and tradition, but it has once again proved that devotion in Braj is not only performed, it is kept alive for ages. When the Ganga of faith and devotion flowed in Govardhan for three days, every direction resounded with the slogan of ‘Radhe Radhe’. For three days, the foothills of Govardhan Mountain remained immersed in a wonderful confluence of devotion, enthusiasm and joy. A human chain of devotees remained on the seven-kosi (21 km) parikrama route for 24 hours. Devotees circumambulated Govardhan Maharaj to the beat of Mridang, Dhol, Manjiras and Harinam Sankirtan. This flow of faith, which started on Monday night, continued to flow until late Wednesday night. The picture of Govardhan did not change even with the changing times for three days. The belief just kept growing, the enthusiasm kept growing. Devotees not only from the country but also from abroad worshiped Giriraj Maharaj. The lamps of devotion kept glowing at every dam, temple and road in the foothills. The fragrance of devotion, energy of love and spirit of service flowed everywhere. A wonderful example of discipline was seen in the crowd of devotees for three days amid the vigilance of the police and administration. 30 lakh devotees circumambulate According to local devotees around 30 lakh devotees circumambulated Giriraj Maharaj this year. As a flood of devotees gathered in Brajbhoomi, the sky itself was decorated with lamps in worship of Giriraj Maharaj. Govardhan Puja Mahotsav once again proved that where there is devotion, there is Girirajji, and where there is Girirajji, there is an infinite ocean of joy.