Govinda Dwadashi 2024 Date, Time, Rituals & Significance
Govinda Dwadashi is an auspicious Hindu festival that occurs on the ‘Dwadashi’ (twelfth day) of the Shukla Paksha (moon’s radiant fortnight) in the month of ‘Phalgun’ according to the traditional Hindu calendar. Those who follow the English calendar will observe this date between mid-February and March. Govinda Dwadashi is a significant day for devotees of Lord Vishnu.
On this day, devotees of the Hindu religion worship Lord Vishnu to seek His divine blessings for a happy and prosperous existence. As the ‘Narasimha’ avatar of Lord Vishnu is worshipped on this day, Govinda Dwadashi is also known as ‘Narasimha Dwadashi’. The celebrations of this festival at the Jagganath Temple in Puri are elaborate and significant. Govinda Dwadashi is also celebrated at the Dwarka Tirumala Venkateshwara Swamy Temple, Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple, and other prominent Lord Vishnu temples. The southern Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Karnataka celebrate Govinda Dwadashi with tremendous enthusiasm and reverence.
Govinda Dwadashi Date 2024
Thursday, 21 March 2024
Sunrise – March 21, 6:33 AM
Sunset – March 21, 6:34 PM
Dwadashi Tithi Timing – March 21, 02:23 AM – March 22, 04:44 AM
Rituals of Govinda Dwadashi
- On the day of Govinda Dwadashi, one must rise early, bathe, and worship the idols of Lord Narasimha and Vishnu.
- One must fast for an entire day.
- On the day of Govinda Dwadashi, Lord Laxminarayan should be honored.
- On Govinda Dwadashi, devotees venerate Lord Vishnu in his ‘Pundrikaksha’ form.
- They offer numerous fruits, flowers, sandalwood paste, til (sesame), incense, and incense sticks to the Lord.
- On Govinda Dwadashi, devotees should participate in evening rituals of worship in Lord Vishnu’s temples.
- On the day of Govinda Dwadashi, reciting the name of Lord Vishnu and the mantra “Shri Narasimha Kavach” is regarded as extremely auspicious.
Significance of Govinda Dwadashi
The religious significance of Govinda Dwadashi is described in multiple Hindu religious texts, such as the Agni Purana. This day is considered extremely fortunate by devotees of Lord Vishnu. It is believed that worshiping Lord Vishnu on this day and observing the Govinda Dwadashi vrat will grant the observer all the pleasure in the world. In the end, the person receives salvation and travels directly to “Vaikuntha,” the heavenly abode of Lord Vishnu.
According to Hindu mythology, Lord Vishnu in His Narasimha incarnation slew the Asura king Hiranyakashyap and spared the life of His devotee Prahlad. Hindus believe that observing Narasimha Dwadashi cleanses them of all past transgressions. This is because Govinda Dwadashi is a celebration of the triumph of virtue over evil.