The story
Every year the people of Braj held a big puja for Indra, the god of rain. Little Krishna asked his father Nanda, "Why do we worship Indra? Our cows eat the grass of Govardhan hill, and the hill gives us water and food. Let us worship Govardhan instead!" The villagers agreed, and offered their food to the hill.
Indra was very angry. He sent huge black clouds and terrible storms. Rain poured down for days; the rivers flooded and the people and cows of Braj were terrified. "Krishna, save us!" they cried.
Krishna smiled. He walked to Govardhan hill and lifted the whole mountain on the little finger of his left hand, like an umbrella! "Come, everyone, come under the hill with your cows," he called. For seven days and nights Krishna held up the mountain, and everyone stayed safe and dry beneath it.
At last Indra understood that Krishna was the Lord himself. He stopped the rain and came to ask forgiveness. That is why the day after Diwali we celebrate Govardhan Puja and make a mountain of food — the Annakut.
What we learn
- Be grateful to nature, which feeds us.
- Pride must give way to humility, as Indra learned.
- God protects those who trust him.
A shloka to learn
Krishnaya Vasudevaya
कृष्णाय वासुदेवाय हरये परमात्मने ।
प्रणतक्लेशनाशाय गोविन्दाय नमो नमः ॥
kṛṣṇāya vāsudevāya haraye paramātmane |
praṇatakleśanāśāya govindāya namo namaḥ ||
I bow again and again to Krishna, Hari, Govinda — who takes away the troubles of those who pray to him.
Questions to talk about
- Why did Krishna ask the villagers to worship Govardhan?
- How long did Krishna hold up the hill?
- Which festival do we celebrate because of this story?
- What in nature are you grateful for?
Parents and teachers: read the story aloud, then talk about the questions together. Let children retell it in their own words.
Frequently asked questions
Where does this story come from?
It is told in the Bhagavata Purana (Book 10). This is a simple retelling for children.