Grand Annakut Celebration at Akshardham Temple Features 1,256 Pure Vegetarian Dishes
The Akshardham Temple hosted a vibrant Annakut celebration, offering 1,256 vegetarian dishes to mark the occasion with devotion and joy.
New Delhi, November 10 (Daily Kiran) : The Akshardham Temple in New Delhi celebrated Annakut and Govardhan Puja on November 10, 2026, with great devotion and enthusiasm. A lavish offering of 1,256 pure vegetarian dishes was presented before the deities during this auspicious occasion.
Annakut, meaning “mountain of food,” is a day dedicated to expressing gratitude for the blessings of food, wealth, and resources provided by the divine. In many states of North-West India, this day also marks the beginning of the new year.
The festivities commenced at 11 AM with the Vedic Shodashopachar ritual for Govardhan Puja. A symbolic representation of Govardhan Hill was created within the temple premises, incorporating clay and stone from the hill itself. Following the rituals, the Annakut darshan opened to devotees at noon, attracting thousands from across the country.
The Annakut offering included traditional Indian sweets such as ghevar, laddoo, peda, and halwa, alongside savory snacks like sev-mathri, various vegetable dishes, dals, rice preparations, fruits, beverages, and modern bakery items. Each dish was artistically presented.
Muni Vatsal Das Swami, the chief officiant of Akshardham, emphasized the significance of this divine tradition, which has been upheld since the time of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha celebrates Annakut with immense devotion and unity across over 1,800 temples worldwide. This event symbolizes the tireless service of hundreds of volunteers and the spirit of community life.
In his message, the revered Mahant Swami Maharaj extended New Year wishes to all followers, blessing them with happiness in body, mind, and wealth. He prayed for lives enriched by the five-fold virtues of devotion to personal ideals, the guru, principles, religion, and unity.
The temple complex was adorned with colorful rangolis, sparkling lights, and floral decorations for the occasion. Devotees continued to flock to the temple for darshan well into the evening.
