Story behind Hill: Govardhan Puja

Govardhan was a simple but mighty mountain that coexisted in harmony with his ‘father’, Dronachala, centuries ago. One day, the great sage Pulastya, happened to pass by; he took such an instant liking to Govardhan that he intended to carry him off to Varanasi so that he might perform his meditation peacefully in the secluded caves of Govardhan.
Govardhan agreed to go, but on one condition — wherever Pulastya would set him down, after lifting him up, he would not move from that spot. The sage agreed. He lifted Govardhan and began to fly towards Varanasi. But, as they flew over Vrindavan, Govardhan felt an intense longing to settle down there. So, by his mystic power, he caused an irresistible urge, in Pulastya, to attend to nature’s call. Thus, the sage was compelled to set Govardhan down in Vrindavan.
After relieving himself, Pulastya tried to lift Govardhan to continue towards Varanasi, but the mountain wouldn’t budge even an inch. Pulastya tried with all his might but Govardhan stayed there. Feeling frustrated and insulted, the sage pronounced a curse on Govardhan to shrink in size and thus eventually become a small hill.
Govardhan, nevertheless, accepted this terrible predicament with a grateful heart, seeing it as the inconceivable will of the Almighty – a perfect example of equanimity in adversity!
By Damodara Pandita Dasa