The 5 Days of Diwali:
Day 04: Padwa & Govardhan Puja
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Diwali is the five-day Hindu holiday known as "the Festival of Lights" and is celebrated over five days with each day signifying a particular aspect of the festival. The five days are:
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Day 04: Padwa & Govardhan Puja
The day following the Diwali day is celebrated as Padwa and Govardhan Puja day. As a symbol of love and affection between husband and wife, Gudi Padwa is celebrated by the exchange of gifts between married couples. People also invite their married daughters and sons-in-law over for a special meal and giving them gifts and presents after the feast.
On this day, Govardhan Puja is also performed to commemorate the lifting of mount Govardhan by Lord Krishna. As the legend goes, Lord Indra, the god of rain in a bout of anger sent a deluge to submerge the village called Gokul. In order to save the villagers from torrential rain, Lord Krishna lifted mount Govardhan with his little finger and all the villagers could take shelter under it. This forced Lord Indra to accept Lord Krishna's supremacy.
This Govardhan Puja day is also celebrated as "Annakoot" which means mountain of food. Fifty six types of food known as "Chappan Bhog" is cooked for offering to Lord Krishna. Various varieties of sweets are raised in shape of a mountain in front of Deities for "Bhog" after which the devotees take Prasad** from the mountain of sweets.
*Puja: "A ceremony of gratitude or a religious ritual performed as an offering to various deities, distinguished persons, or special guests". Source: Wikipedia
**Prasad: Food or any gift that has been first offered in worship or to a saint; that which is given by a saint; literally: "grace." Source: Hindu Sanskrit Dictionary
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