Kanha Lifts Govardhan Hill

Once, the people of Vraj were getting ready for a big puja. Delicious food was being cooked in every home. Little Kanha asked Nand Baba, "Baba, who is this puja for?"

Nand Baba said, "Son, it is for Indra Dev, the king of the devtas. He sends the rain, the rain makes the grass grow, and our cows eat the grass."

Kanha said, "Baba, we are cowherds. Our cows graze on Govardhan hill. Its grass, trees and streams look after our cows. Why don't we worship Govardhan hill, our cows and the wise brahmins instead?"

Everyone liked this idea. They cooked heaps of food and offered it to Govardhan hill, decorated their cows and walked around the hill in parikrama. Kanha took a giant form, said, "I am Govardhan," and lovingly accepted all the offerings. Then everyone ate the prasad together.

When Indra Dev learnt that his puja had not been done, he was very angry. He ordered huge dark clouds to pour down on Vraj. The clouds thundered, lightning flashed and heavy rain began to fall, with hailstones and strong winds too. There was water everywhere. The cows and calves shivered in the cold. Everyone ran to Kanha and cried, "Kanha, save us!"

Kanha thought, "Indra has become proud of his position. I will look after my Vraj." He went to Govardhan hill and lifted it with one hand, as easily as a child lifts an umbrella. People say he held the whole hill up on his little finger.

Kanha said, "Come under the hill, everyone, with your cows and calves. Don't be afraid. This hill will not fall." Everyone came under it. For seven days and seven nights, Kanha stood there holding up the hill. He felt no hunger and no thirst. He just kept smiling, and everyone kept looking at him with love.

At last, Indra Dev understood his mistake. He stopped the clouds. The rain ended and the sun came out. Kanha asked everyone to come out, and he gently set the hill back in its place. Everyone hugged Kanha and blessed him.

Later, Indra Dev came with Surabhi, the wish-fulfilling cow, and asked for forgiveness with folded hands. Kanha forgave him. Because he had cared for the cows, Kanha was given the name "Govind". That is why, on the day after Diwali, we celebrate Govardhan Puja and Annakut.