Govardhan Puja in Delhi

Date and timing in this city

In Delhi, Govardhan Puja falls on Kartik Shukla Pratipada — the first tithi of the bright fortnight of Kartik. Because the tithi is reckoned from the local sunrise and moonrise, the calendar date for Delhi is worked out for Delhi's own coordinates, not for a generic Indian date.

For Delhi, that gives:

• 2026: Tuesday 10 November 2026
• 2027: Saturday 30 October 2027

Delhi keeps Asia/Kolkata time, so the tithi boundaries used in the panchang are the same clock as the rest of India, but the sunrise and moonrise that fix those boundaries are Delhi's own. This is why a Delhi household should follow the Delhi panchang for the day rather than a date copied from another region.

Why the date can differ from India

A single "all-India" date is a convenience, not a rule. Tithis are measured between the sun and moon, and their start and end are tied to the rising of those bodies at a given place. Across a country as wide as India, sunrise can differ by well over an hour from east to west, so a tithi that is current at dawn in one city may not be current at dawn in another.

Delhi's date can therefore sit a day away from dates used in other parts of the country in some years. Traditions also differ in how the fortnight is counted — amanta in much of the south and west, purnimanta in much of the north — and Smarta and Vaishnava households may give the tithi different weight when the tithi is split across two sunrises. Where customs differ, the family's own panchang and lineage practice are the safest guide.

Where and how the community celebrates

Govardhan Puja is observed across North India, and Delhi is part of that belt. The day is also called Annakut, and the deity at the centre of the observance is Krishna.

In Delhi homes, the usual shape of the day is a morning puja, an offering of food — the Annakut — and, in many households, the building of a small Govardhan hill from cow dung or clay, circled and honoured. Some families keep a fast until the puja is complete; others do not. The details vary by family and by the tradition followed.

Practical tips

• Check a Delhi panchang for the exact tithi window before fixing your puja time.
• Prepare the Annakut after the puja is done, and keep the offering simple and within your means.
• If your family follows a particular sampradaya, follow its custom where the panchang is ambiguous.
• For personal chart questions, consult a qualified jyotishi rather than reading a general city date as advice.