Govardhan Puja (Annakut) 2026 is on Tuesday, 10 November in India, two days after Diwali on Sunday, 8 November. Mathura and Vrindavan have no major airport of their own. Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport is the practical gateway, followed by a road transfer. Agra’s Kheria airport has limited service, so check its current schedule.
Updated October 2026 · HappyFares
Govardhan Puja draws devotees to the Braj region around Mathura and Vrindavan. If you plan to be there, here is the date, the airport options and how to plan the trip.
When is Govardhan Puja in 2026?
Govardhan Puja, also called Annakut, falls on Tuesday, 10 November 2026 in India, going by panchang sources that follow the sunrise rule for the first lunar day (Pratipada) of Kartika Shukla. Some listings, mostly general calendars and overseas ones, show Monday, 9 November, so confirm with a local panchang or the temple you plan to visit.
For the festival week:
- Friday, 6 November: Dhanteras
- Sunday, 8 November: Diwali
- Tuesday, 10 November: Govardhan Puja (Annakut)
What is Govardhan Puja?
The festival remembers the story of Krishna lifting Govardhan Hill to shelter the people and cattle of Vrindavan from heavy rain. The word Annakut means a mountain of food. Devotees prepare large offerings of vegetarian dishes, offer them to Krishna and share them afterwards as prasad. In the Braj region, many devotees also walk around Govardhan Hill on this occasion.
Which airport is closest to Mathura and Vrindavan?
Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport is the practical choice, as it has the widest choice of flights from across India. From the airport you continue by road. Travel time depends on traffic, so allow a generous buffer, especially on festival days when roads are busy. Distances quoted online vary a lot between sources, so use your cab or bus operator’s estimate rather than a fixed figure.
Agra’s Kheria airport is also within reach of Mathura. Scheduled service there has been limited and has changed over time, so check which airlines and routes operate on your dates before planning around it. If it does not have a convenient flight, Delhi remains the safer plan.
Noida International Airport at Jewar is a newer option in the region, but check whether it has scheduled flights from your city on your dates before relying on it.
How to plan flights for the Annakut trip
- Fly into Delhi and arrange the road transfer in advance. Festival traffic on the highway can slow the journey.
- Choose a morning arrival if you can, so you reach Mathura or Vrindavan well before the evening crowds.
- Book early. Diwali week is a busy travel period, and fares for popular days tend to rise as seats fill.
- Compare nearby days. Arriving a day before Annakut leaves time for a delay and for finding your accommodation.
- Plan the return flight with a buffer. Do not book a tight connection on the same day as your road journey back.
If you are travelling with elderly family members, ask the airline about wheelchair or special assistance after you book. Assistance is arranged by the airline, so contact it directly well before the flight.
What should you keep in mind on the ground?
Annakut days are crowded in Braj, with temples seeing large numbers of devotees. Darshan timings and entry arrangements are set by each temple, so check them with the temple directly or on its official notices. Timings can change on festival days, so confirm them close to the date.
Book your stay early, because accommodation near the major temples tends to fill up in the festival season. Carry a valid photo ID, since hotels usually ask for it, and keep your phone charged for navigation and payments.
If you wish to circumambulate Govardhan Hill, wear comfortable footwear and carry water. Weather in November is generally cooler than summer, but days can still be warm, so plan the walk for the cooler hours.
Should you go before or after Diwali?
Some travellers combine Diwali at home with a Braj trip a couple of days later, while others go straight to Mathura and Vrindavan for the festival week. If you are coming from another city, a one-way ticket to Delhi for the outbound and a separate one-way for the return gives you freedom to change your stay. Compare the total cost with a return fare before you choose.
Whichever plan you pick, avoid booking a tight return on the evening of Annakut itself. Roads out of Braj can be slow after the celebrations, and a missed flight is a costly end to a trip.
Common Questions
What is the date of Govardhan Puja 2026?
Tuesday, 10 November 2026 in India according to panchang sources following the sunrise rule. Some listings show 9 November, so check your local panchang.
Is there an airport in Mathura or Vrindavan?
No major airport serves them directly. Most travellers fly into Delhi and continue by road. Agra’s airport is another option, subject to its current flight schedule.
How do I get from Delhi airport to Vrindavan?
By road, using a taxi or bus. Journey time depends on traffic, which can be heavy during festivals, so leave extra time.
Is it better to fly or take the train?
If you start from a distant city, flying to Delhi saves time, but you still need a road or rail transfer. Compare the total journey rather than only the flight.
Is web check-in free?
Yes. With Indian airlines, both web check-in and airport check-in are free.
When should I book flights for Diwali week?
As early as your plans allow. Fares for festival dates usually rise as the date approaches.
Planning your Braj trip? Search and compare flights to Delhi on HappyFares, with zero convenience fee on domestic bookings. Set a price alert or ask Meera, our AI assistant, to help.
Festival dates, airport services and airline rules change. Verify current details with the airline, DGCA or the airport before you travel.
