The fourth day of diwali celebrations is 'Padwa' or 'Varshapratipada'.
In the North India Govardhan Puja is performed with great zeal and enthusiasm. And
in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar there is a tradition of
building cow dung hillocks, which symbolize the Mount Govardhan. After making such
hillocks people decorate them with flowers and then worship them. They move in a
circle all round the cow dung hillocks and offer prayers to Lord Govardhan.
Legends
Govardhan Puja
'Govardhan' is a small hillock situated at 'Braj', near Mathura. The legends in
'Vishnu Puraan' have it that the people of Gokul used to worship and offer prayers
to Lord Indra for the rains because they believed that it was He who sent rains
for their welfare. But Lord Krishna told them that it was Mount Govardhan (Govardhan
Paevat) and not Lord Indra who caused rains therefore they should worship the former
and not the latter. People did the same and it made Lord Indra so furious that the
people of Gokul had to face very heavy rains as a result of his anger. Then Lord
Krishna came forward to ensure their security and
after performing worship and offering
prayers to Mount Govardhan lifted it as an umbrella on the little finger of his
right hand so that everyone could take shelter under it. After this event Lord Krishna
was also known as Giridhari or Govardhandhari.
Anna-Koot
The fourth day of diwali celebrations is also observed as Anna-Koot, which literally
means 'mountain of food'. On this auspicious day the people prepare fifty-six or
one hundred and eight different varieties of delicious dishes to offer Lord Krishna
as 'Bhog'. In the temples, specifically in Mathura and Nathdwara, the deities are
given milk bath, dressed in new shining attires and decorated with ornaments of
dazzling diamonds, pearls, rubies and other precious stones and metals. Then they
are worshipped, offered prayers and bhajans and also offered delicious sweets, fruits
and eatables that are ceremoniously raised in the form of a mountain before the
idols.
Padwa
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. Therefore this day is also known as 'Bali Padyami'.
'Padwa' or 'Varshapratipada' also marks the coronation of King Vikramaditya as 'Vikaram-Samvat'
was started from this Padwa day.
Gudi Padwa
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. |