A retelling for children, based on traditional stories of Krishna’s childhood in the Bhagavata Purana. Versions differ from region to region.
In the village of Vrindavan, where cows grazed on green hills and the river Yamuna sparkled, lived a cheerful cowherd boy named Krishna.
Every year the villagers held a great festival for Indra, king of the heavens and god of rain and storms, hoping he would send rain for their crops.
One year, young Krishna asked, “Why do we worship Indra? It is Govardhan Hill that gives our cows grass to eat, and its streams that give us water. Let us honour the hill, our cows and our home instead.”
The villagers listened, and that year they brought their offerings to Govardhan Hill.
Indra was furious. He gathered the darkest clouds and sent a terrible storm. Rain poured down for day after day. Rivers burst their banks, and the frightened villagers and their animals had nowhere to go.
“Don’t be afraid,” said Krishna. He walked to Govardhan Hill and, with the little finger of his left hand, lifted the whole hill high into the air, like a giant umbrella.
Everyone, people, cows, calves and birds, gathered safely underneath. For seven days and seven nights Krishna held the hill, while the storm raged above them.
At last, Indra understood that Krishna was no ordinary boy. He stopped the rain and came to ask Krishna’s forgiveness. Krishna gently set the hill back down, and the sun shone again on Vrindavan.
Today, many families remember this story on Govardhan Puja, the day after Diwali, sometimes by making a small hill of food to share, called Annakut.
Talk about it
- Why did Krishna want to thank Govardhan Hill?
- How do you think the villagers felt under the hill?
- What in nature helps us every day? How could we say thank you?
- What does it mean to look after others when they are frightened?
