A 220 kg cake and other culinary delights in the shape of a hill was the hallmark of the Govardhana Puja at the ISKCON temple at Jayanagar, on Friday.
The festival began with Tulasi Puja followed by gau puja or the worship of cows as part of Deepavali and Balipadyami celebrations. This was followed by the Govardhana Puja or the worship of the Govardhana Hills. For the devotees, the hills made of various eatables and offered to Lord Krishna was the highlight of the occasion.
Sri Jai Chaitanya Dasa, president, ISKCON, Mysuru Chapter, said the festival is celebrated in commemoration of the pastime of Lord Krishna’s lifting the Govardhana hill, when angry Indra sent torrents of rain accompanied by showers of ice blocks and high wind to disturb the residents of Vrindavana. Lord Krishna immediately took compassion upon the residents of Vrindavana and protected them by picking up the Govardhana Hill, just as a child picks up a mushroom, he added.
Hundreds thronged the temple to witness the celebration and later lit lamps as part of the Karthika Deepotsava.