Govardhana Puja at Govindaji Gardens
Asrama devotees, devotees from Mysore, Bangalore and Mandya gathered on the 10th November to celebrate Govardhana Puja. The morning was spent cooking bhoga for Giriraja, followed by lectures by Srila Visnu Maharaja and Giri Maharaja who spoke on the pastime of lifting Govardhana Hill, and the appearance of Govardhana as the son of Himavan, the king of the Himalayas.
Then at midday all the devotees participated in bathing Giriiraja with milk and rose-water. Giriraja was then returned to the main alter where He was decorated. At 1:00pm there was Govardhana-arati, followed by parikrama of Giririraja and go-puja. Fireworks were lit for the pleasure of Govardhana and the devotees. The program ended with the honoring of prasadam.
Govardhana Puja at Kaliya-mardana Krsna Asrama
At the Kaliya-mardana Krsna Asrama, devotees began in the morning with kirtana and a reading from Srila Prabhupada's Krsna book on the pastime of lifiting Govardhana Hill as well as a reading from Srila Narasingha Maharaja's article 'Worshipping Govardhana'.
As well as cooking a feast for the pleasure of Giriraja Govardhana, the devotees also made a gobar Giridhari Deity (a Deity of Krsna lifting Govardhana Hill made from cow-dung), decorating Him with cloth, flowers and colored powders. After the feast in the evening, there was a small fireworks display in honor of Giriraja's appearance.
Govardhana Puja at Prabhupada Seva Ashram, Como, Italy
Govardhana Puja was started by the devotee's cooking the bhoga feast for Giriraja in the early morning. When the cooking was finished, Jayadeva Prabhu gave a class on the advent of Giriraja, related the pastime of Krsna lifting Govardhan Hill, and spoke on the unique glories and pastimes of Giriraja.
Next, the abhisheka was held, and Govardhan was bathed with milk and rose water, accompanied by kirtan, and the singing of Sri Vraja-dhama-mahimamrta.
After this, the bhoga offering was made to Giriraja, and Bhativinode Thakur's Sri-Bhoga-aratika was sung by Bhakta Priya Dasi. Then the aratik to Giriraja commenced, followed by parikrama of Govardhan, along with chanting and dancing. Finally the devotees honored the maha-prasad of Giriraja with great joy.
Note: The Prabhupada Seva Ashram, Como, Italy has moved to Switzerland and is now called the Rupanuga Seva Ashram.