Durban - During the past few weeks, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng have been hit hard by extreme weather.
Depending on one’s philosophy and mind-set, it could be said these storms were a lashing out from the heavens to those on Earth.
Coming to mind is the pastime of Lord Krishna, when in his childhood he lifted the Govardhan Hill in Vrindavan to protect the residents from week-long heavy rains.
It is also during the auspicious month of Kartik, which this year is observed from October 5 to November 4, when many festivals are observed.
One such is Govardhan Puja, which is traditionally celebrated on the day after Diwali.
The significance behind Govardhan Puja (the worship of Govardhan Hill), Go Puja (worship of the sacred cow) and Annarkut (worship of the hill made with grains), is the remembrance of the seven days in which Lord Krishna, as a little boy, sheltered the residents of Vrindavan during the storm by lifting Govardhan Hill with his little finger, providing an umbrella for all.
Situated in Vrindavan (north of India) Govardhan Hill is a sacred site for Hindus around the world - with many other significant places of worship along the footpath.
Today, devotees circumnavigate the hill by walking for many hours to complete the 24km path.
This is when worshippers offer respects to auspicious areas: Radha Kund, Syama Kund, Dhangati, Manasi Ganga, Kusum Sarova and several other spiritual retreats.
Those who are dedicated in prayer, and some who take special vows of austerity, also make a special pledge not to just walk around the hill in prayer, but to offer dandavat parikrama.
This means that one pays obeisances along the path instead of walking.
The hands are outstretched, body dropped to the ground and a stone placed as a marker to the next obeisance's start point.
To circumnavigate the hill in this way can take up to a week. It provides the devotee an experience of true humility as he depends on the Earth and its goodness for survival
ISKCON temples around the world will observe Govardhan Puja on Friday by creating a hill made from grains.
Soji (semolina pudding) will be prepared and coloured green and brown to give a hill-like effect.
Other fruit and vegetables will be placed along a life-size hill to create other effects of trees, lakes and temples that are found on the actual path.
It is on this special day that the worship of the sacred cow takes places through offerings of arati (use of traditional paraphernalia.
After the effects experienced from our local storms recently, we can only imagine the torrents of rainfall and the effects that were experienced in Vrindavan all those years ago.
It is with this mood of praying to God with love and devotion that we will observe Govardan Puja, seeking shelter from God in all we do.
POST