Teaching Kids the Story of Govardhan Puja in Simple Words

Diwali may be over, but the celebrations don’t stop just yet! After Diwali comes a beautiful festival called Govardhan Puja, also known as Annakut, which means “a mountain of food.” It’s a day full of devotion, delicious dishes, and a powerful story from Lord Krishna’s childhood that every child should hear.

If you want your kids to know more about our festivals, not just the sweets and decorations but the meaning behind them, Govardhan Puja is the perfect story to start with. 

Govardhan Puja is celebrated mostly in northern India, especially in Braj Bhoomi, Mathura, and Gokul, the land of Lord Krishna. It takes place on the fourth day of Diwali. On this day, families thank nature for giving food, water, shelter, and protection.

The festival celebrates the day when Lord Krishna, in his child form, lifted the Govardhan mountain to protect the people of Gokul. It reminds everyone, especially children, that respecting nature and being grateful to the Earth are the most important lessons in life.

The word “Govardhan” itself has a meaning; ‘Go’ means cow, and ‘vardhan’ means nourishment. So, Govardhan Puja is all about thanking nature and cattle, who help humans in so many ways.

Once upon a time, in the peaceful village of Gokul, everyone was busy preparing for a grand celebration to please Lord Indra, the god of rain. Little Krishna, who was always full of curiosity, asked his mother, Yashoda, “Why do we worship Indra?”

She explained, “He is the one who gives us rain, my child. Rain helps our crops grow.” But Krishna wasn’t convinced. With a smile, he said, “Shouldn’t we thank the Govardhan Hill instead? It gives us grass for cows, fruits, and even water from its springs. We get everything we need from the mountain and nature.”

The villagers agreed; it made sense! So, that year, instead of worshipping Lord Indra, they offered prayers and food to the Govardhan Hill as Krishna suggested.

Now, Lord Indra, known for his pride, became furious! He decided to teach the villagers a lesson and ordered torrential rains to pour down on Gokul. The tiny village was flooded, animals were scared, and people ran to Krishna for help.

Calm as ever, little Krishna said, “Don’t be afraid.” He simply lifted the massive Govardhan Hill on his little finger, creating a huge shelter for everyone: people, cows, and all living beings. The rains continued for seven long days, but not a single soul was hurt.

Finally, Lord Indra realized his mistake. He stopped the rain, came down, and bowed to Krishna, realizing that the little boy was none other than Lord Vishnu himself. That day, the villagers celebrated with joy and gratitude, offering food and prayers to both Krishna and Govardhan Hill.

And that’s how Govardhan Puja was born, a festival that reminds us that true power lies in humility and faith, not pride.

The festival is celebrated differently across India, but the joy and faith remain the same. Here’s what happens during the day:

Children especially love this day because of the colorful decorations, yummy treats, and the fun story behind it all!

Govardhan Puja is not just about food or rituals—it’s about learning values that last a lifetime. You can explain these lessons to your kids:

You don’t have to live in Mathura to celebrate Govardhan Puja. You can make it special in your own way at home:

Govardhan Puja is a gentle reminder that faith is strongest when it’s rooted in gratitude and respect for nature. It connects children to their roots and teaches them that our planet deserves care and thanks every single day.

So, this year, after Diwali diyas fade, light one more diya of gratitude with your children and tell them the story of little Krishna and the mountain that saved a village. It’s not just a tale of miracles; it’s a lesson in love, faith, and care for the world around us.