The fourth day of Diwali celebrations is 'Padwa' or 'Varshapratipada'. In the North India, it is called as Gowardhan Puja. This pooja is performed with great zeal and enthusiasm and in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
Gowardhan Puja, , is celebrated as the day Krishna defeated Indra. Lord Krishna taught people to worship nature, as mountains bring rains to earth and to stop worshiping the God of Rains, Lord Indra. His was the message that we should take care of our nature.
For Annakut a mountain of food is decorated symbolizing Gowardhan mountain said to be lifted by Lord Krishna to save the people from the wrath of Lord Indra, the God of rain.
In Maharashtra it is celebrated as Padva or BaliPratipada. The day commemorates King Bali. Men present gifts to their wives on this day.
In Gujarat, it is celebrated as New Year, as Vikram Samvat starts on this day. Gowardhan puja is when Lord Krishna stopped the people of Vridavan dham worshipping Lord Indra because Indra had gotten too proud of himself so Lord Krishna completely stopped it and told the inhabitants of Vrindavana to worship Govardhan Hill.
This worship has carried on from 5000 years ago to the 21st Century.
On this auspicious day the people prepare fifty-six or one hundred and eight different varieties of delicious dishes to offer Lord Krishna as 'Bhog'. In the temples, specifically in Mathura and Nathdwara, the deities are given milk bath, dressed in new shining attires and decorated with ornaments of dazzling diamonds, pearls, rubies and other precious stones and metals. Then they are worshipped, offered prayers and bhajans and also offered delicious sweets, fruits and eatables that are ceremoniously raised in the form of a mountain before the idols.
