Annakut Festival

Annakut Festival

Annakut festival is the festival that is dedicated to Lord Krishna. Anna means food and kut means mountain.  In this day there is a huge food distribution in Lord Krishna Temple. People from around the corner of the country visit temple to watch the distribution of the food. Food is placed in a mountain and after performing the puja people take away the food with them.

On this day, it is believed that people who take away more food do get more prosperity and wealth throughout the year.  And on the same day of this festival, Gowardhan puja is also performed. According to the legend, it is believed that once Vishnu planned to test king Bali. Vishnu took the avatar of Vammana and begged for three step land from king Bali. Bali allowed him to take the land from his kingdom. By listening this, Vishnu increased his size and measured whole earth and heaven in two steps. Later, he asked the king where the third step should be kept. King Bali then offered his whole kingdom to him and bowed his head for the third step.

Annakut festival is largely celebrated in Gujarat. This festival is celebrated in the first half of month of Karthik and in the autumn festival. It is the festival of food. At the temples in Gujarat, the image of Shrinathji and 7 other idols of Krishna with the pile of food baskets and earthenware vessels are kept before them.

People visit this temple with large crowds and try to get more and more food to carry with them while returning. Many people have different belief on this festival and take the blessings of Lord Krishna at the temple. The Swaminarayan Temple in Gujarat is the temple where this festival is largely celebrated.