Govardhan Puja (Goru Tihar)
गोरू पूजा
November 10, 2026 · Kartik 24, 2083 BS
Nationwide
Plan a trip around Govardhan Puja (Goru Tihar)History & origin
According to the Bhagavata Purana, Krishna lifted Govardhan Hill on his little finger to shield the cowherd community of Vraj from a deluge sent by a jealous Indra, humbling the storm god and shifting devotion toward Krishna — the origin of the hill-worship and ox-honoring rituals observed on this day across the wider Krishna-devotional tradition.
How it’s celebrated
Oxen and bulls are garlanded, given tika and fed a special meal in gratitude for their farm labor through the year; in Newar communities this same day (Nepal Sambat New Year's eve in the traditional calendar) also carries the Mha Puja and Nepal Sambat new year observances.
Tips for visitors
A quieter day of Tihar for outside visitors — mainly visible in farming communities where oxen are still used for ploughing.
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