India, Nov. 11 -- The sacred festival of Annakut and Govardhan Puja was celebrated with joy, devotion and fervor on Tuesday at Swaminarayan Akshardham Mandir. On this occasion, a grand Annakut offering of 1,256 pure sattvik vegetarian dishes was presented before Bhagwan.

Annakut means "a mountain of food." This festival is a day to express gratitude for the food, wealth and prosperity bestowed upon us by God. In many states of north-western India, this day also marks the beginning of the New Year. The celebration began with Shri Govardhan Puja, performed according to the Vedic shodashopachar rite.

A symbolic replica of Govardhan Parvat had been created in the mandir courtyard, incorporating soil from the sacred Govardhan Hill.

After th...