The day after Deepawali is celebrated as गोवर्धन पूजा Govardhan Puja (this year Oct 18,2009) when Mount Govardhan, near Mathura, is worshipped. Pious people keep awake the whole night and cook 56 (or 108) different types of food for the भोग bhog (the offering of food) to Krishna. This ceremony is called अन्‍नकूट annkut….

The Goddess thus born was supremely beautiful and when Chanda and Munda, the disciples of the demon brothers Shumbha and Nishumbha set eyes upon her they at once reported of her beauty to their masters. Upon hearing of her beauty, the two brothers sent a marriage proposal to the goddess. The Goddess told them that she has taken a vow to marry the one who can vanquish her in battle and take her forcibly. Thus incited into a battle by the Goddess, Shumbha and Nishumbha first send a large army and…