Govatsa Dwadashi | |
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Also called | Vasu Baras, Nandini Vrata, Bach Baras |
Observed by | Hindus |
Type | Hindu cultural and religious observance |
Celebrations | 1 day |
Observances | Veneration of cows and calves and feeding them wheat products |
Date | 27 Ashvin (amanta tradition) 12 Kartika (purnimanta tradition) |
2023 date | 9 November (Thursday) [1] |
2024 date | 28 October (Monday) [2] |
Related to | Govardhan Puja, Diwali |
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Hinduism |
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Govatsa Dwadashi is a Hindu cultural and religious festival which marks the beginning of Diwali celebrations in some parts of India, especially in the state of Maharashtra, where it is known as Vasu Baras. In Gujarat, it is celebrated as Vagh Baras and as Sripada Vallabha Aradhana Utsav of Sripada Sri Vallabha, at Pithapuram Datta Mahasamsthan in the state of Andhra Pradesh. [3] In Hinduism, cows are regarded to be sacred animals for their capacity to nourish people with milk.
In some North Indian states, Govatsa Dwadashi is referred to as Vagh, which implies the repayment of one's financial debts. It is therefore a day when businessmen clear their accounting books and do not make further transactions in their new ledgers. Govatsa Dwadashi is also observed as Nandini Vrata, as both Nandini [4] and Nandi are considered sacred in the Shaivite tradition. It is a thanksgiving festival to the cows for their help in sustaining human life, and thus both cows and calves are worshipped and fed with wheat products. The worshipers abstain from consuming any wheat and milk products on this day. It is believed that by these observances and worship, all wishes of the devotees will be fulfilled. [5] The significance of Govatsa Dwadashi is stated in the Bhavishya Purana .
It is said that Govatsa Dwadashi was first observed with fasting by King Uttānapāda (the son of Svayambhuva Manu) and his wife Suniti. Because of their prayers and fast, they had a son named Dhruva.[ citation needed ]
Cows and calves are bathed, draped in clothes and flower garlands, and vermilion/turmeric powder is applied on their foreheads. In some villages, people make cows and calves out of mud, dressing them and adorning them as such, symbolically. Aartis are performed. Wheat products, gram and mung bean sprouts are then fed to the cows, symbolising the sacred cow Nandini, who was the daughter of Kamadhenu on earth, and lived in Sage Vasishtha's ashram. Devotees sing songs praising the love of Krishna for cows and being their benefactor. Women observe Nandini Vrata, a fast for the wellbeing of their children and abstain from drinking and eating. As cows are symbolic of motherhood and the chief source of livelihood in many villages in India, they are central to Diwali worship. [6]
There are varying beliefs about cattle in societies and religions.
Kamadhenu, also known as Surabhi, is a divine bovine-goddess described in Hinduism as the mother of all cows. She is a miraculous cow of plenty who provides her owner whatever they desire and is often portrayed as the mother of other cattle. In iconography, she is generally depicted as a white cow with a female head and breasts, the wings of a bird, and the tail of a peafowl or as a white cow containing various deities within her body. Kamadhenu is not worshipped independently as a goddess. Rather, she is honored by the Hindu veneration of cows, who are regarded as her earthly embodiments.
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Vrata is a Sanskrit word that means "vow, resolve, devotion", and refers to pious observances such as fasting and pilgrimage (Tirtha) found in Indian religions such as Hinduism and Jainism. It is typically accompanied with prayers seeking health and happiness for their loved ones.
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Ekadashi is the eleventh lunar day (tithi) of the waxing and waning lunar cycles in a Vedic calendar month. Ekadashi is popularly observed within Vaishnavism one of the major paths within Sanatan Dharma. Followers offer their worship to the god Vishnu by fasting or just symbolically; the idea was always to receive self-discipline and the benefits of fasting and it was connected to the way of life via Sanatam Dharma practices.
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Govardhan Puja, also known as Annakut or Annakoot, is a Hindu festival celebrated on the first lunar day of the bright fortnight of the month of Kartika, on the fourth day of Diwali. Devotees worship Govardhan Hill and prepare and offer a large variety of vegetarian food to Krishna as a mark of gratitude. For Vaishnavas, this day commemorates the incident in the Bhagavata Purana when Krishna lifted Govardhan Hill to provide the villagers of Vrindavan shelter from torrential rains. This incident symbolizes God offering protection to devotees who take singular refuge in him. Devotees offer a mountain of food, metaphorically representing the Govardhan Hill, to God as a ritual remembrance and to renew their faith in taking refuge in God. The festival is observed by most Hindu denominations all over India and abroad.
Sankashti Chaturthi, also known as Sankatahara Chaturthi and Sankashti, is a holy day in every lunar month of the Hindu calendar dedicated to the Hindu god Ganesha. This day falls on the fourth day of the Krishna Paksha. If this Chaturthi falls on a Tuesday, it is called Angaraki Sankashti Chaturthi, Angaraki Chaturthi, Angaraki and Angarika. Angaraki Sankashti Chaturthi is considered highly sacred.
Dwadashi, also rendered Dvadashi, is the twelfth lunar day (tithi) of the shukla (bright) or krishna (dark) fortnight, or Paksha, of every lunar month in the Hindu calendar.
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Amalaka Ekadashi or Amalaki Ekadashi is a Hindu holy day, celebrated on the 11th day (ekadashi) of the waxing moon, in the lunar month of Phalguna (February–March). It is a celebration of the amalaka or amla tree, known as the Indian gooseberry.
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