Govinda is one of the popular names of Sri Krishna. How Krishna
got the name Govinda is explained in the Srimad Bhagavad purana.
In Vrindavan, Nanda Maharaj, foster father of Sri Krishna, decided
to conduct a yajna to propitiate Indra. But Sri Krishna was of the opinion that
Govardhan Mountain should be offered worship as it stops the clouds and
provides rain.
Sri Krishna and other people performed a yajna to please
Govardhan Mountain.
A furious Indra, caused havoc in Vrindavan by creating
nonstop torrential rain.
Krishna saved the residents of Vrindavan, animals, cows and
other living beings by lifting the Govardhan Mountain.
As Krishna protected thousands of cows from the flood,
heavenly cow Surabhi performed abhishekam of Sri Krishna with milk – Ksheera Abhishekam.
For saving cows and protecting them, Sri Krishna came to be
known as Govinda.
Go Puja and Govardhan Puja became famous from that day
onwards.
The worship of Sri Krishna as Govinda began in Dwapara Yuga
and it is continued in the Kali Yuga.
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