Mathura (UP), Nov 10 (PTI) Thousands of devotees on Tuesday performed 'parikrama' (circumambulation) of Govardhan hills on the occasion of Govardhan Puja, with temples witnessing special prayers and offerings since early morning.
Devotees performed 'Mahabhishek' using milk, curd, honey, ghee, powdered sugar and various herbs. They also offered 'Annakut' to Thakur Ji Maharaj and circumambulated Govardhan hills, said GK Purohit, a sewayat at the Sri Danghati temple in Govardhan.
Performing parikrama and offering Annakut are considered highly auspicious on the occasion of Govardhan Puja, he said.
Bajra, kadhi-chawal, moong, kheer, puris, pua (sweet puris) and mixed vegetables are among the dishes collectively known as Annakut, said Pawan Kaushik, another sewayat at the temple.
Devotees began preparing Annakut at various places early in the morning to offer it to Thakur Ji before distributing the food among others during 'Bhandara' (community feast).
People from across the country, along with around 50 to 100 foreign visitors, were also participating in the Parikrama, Kaushik said, adding that devotees were seen singing bhajans and dancing to the beats of drums.
The celebrations also included residents making figures of Govardhan, also known as Giriraj Ji Maharaj, using cow dung outside their homes and lighting lamps, he said.
According to religious belief, Lord Krishna lifted Govardhan hill on his little finger to protect the residents of Braj from torrential rains unleashed by Lord Indra after the people stopped worshipping him on Krishna's advice, said Shankaracharya Swami Sri Adhokshanand Dev Tirth Ji Maharaj.
Krishna had also advised the residents to offer various food items to Govardhan Hill. The tradition of offering Annakut is a continuation of that age-old ritual, he added.
However, Govardhan Puja was observed on Monday at the Giriraj Ji Mukharvind temple in Jatipura, said Manoj Kumar Govind Ram Purohit, a sewayat at the temple.
The temple will organise a special 'Chappan Bhog' and Annakut offering on Thursday, with preparations underway to welcome devotees from across the country and abroad.
The temple holds special religious significance for devotees from Gujarat. It is believed that Thakur Srinath Ji Maharaj of Nathdwara blesses devotees at the temple in the evening and rests there, Purohit said.
Devotees also lit lamps at Sheer Sagar Kund in Baldev, said Prashant Sharma, a sewayat at the Dauji temple. The ritual is performed only on the occasion of Govardhan Puja, and lighting a lamp on the day is considered auspicious, he said.
Annakut was also offered at the Dauji temple in Baldev.
Tight security arrangements were made at various places across the city to ensure the safety of devotees, police said.
(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)