BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Ahmedabad offers 1,200 dishes to Lord Krishna on Govardhan Puja

Ahmedabad: Devotees thronged the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Shahibaug, Ahmedabad, on Wednesday to witness a grand Annakut offering of over 1,200 dishes to Lord Krishna on the occasion of Govardhan Puja.

In keeping with Sanatan Hindu tradition, the Annakut marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year following Diwali. The elaborate spread of sweets, snacks and savoury delicacies was prepared as an expression of devotion and gratitude to Lord Krishna, also known as Thakurji.

Under the blessings of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, similar Annakut celebrations took place at BAPS Swaminarayan temples across India and abroad. Thousands of devotees and visitors took darshan of the beautifully arranged offering, which symbolised abundance, devotion and divine grace.

Preparations for the grand event continued for nearly 45 days, involving dedicated teams of chefs, decorators and volunteers. The dishes were artistically categorised and displayed based on type, colour and number, creating a visually stunning presentation before the temple deities.

More than 1,500 women volunteers and several youth groups from Ahmedabad played key roles in organising Diwali and Annakut services, assisting in cooking, decorations and crowd management.

The Annakut prasad will be shared with devotees, nearby temples and underprivileged communities. The temple announced that the offering will remain open for public darshan from 10:30 am to 7 pm.

Adding to the festive spirit, an exhibition titled “In the Footsteps of Pramukh Swami” was held at the temple, highlighting BAPS’s global contributions to promoting Sanatan culture and humanitarian service under the leadership of Mahant Swami Maharaj.

Govardhan Puja, observed on the first lunar day of the bright fortnight in the Kartik month, celebrates Lord Krishna’s protection of the people of Vrindavan. The ritual of offering food to the deity reflects the core values of humility, faith and thankfulness that define the festival’s spiritual essence.

(with agency inputs)