Gopashtami
Gopastami
puja or Gopashtami vrat is observed on eighth day in bright half of Kartik
month (Kartik Shukla Astami). Sri Krishna Puja and Go Puja are the main rituals
of the day. As per the Puranas, on Gopastami day Lord Sri Krishna and his elder
brother Balarama became qualified cowherds,Before this day, he was a keeper of
the calves.
Cows are given bath and decorated
with colorful clothes and jewelry. Devotees paint the horns of the cows with
turmeric and put Sindhura on their foreheads. They also put hand marks on their
bodies. Special food recipes and fresh grass are offered to cows on Gopastami.
Pradakshina around the cow (circumambulation) is most beneficial ritual of
Gopastami festival.
Gopastami and Go Puja are celebrated
with utmost fervor in all Krishna temples in India and abroad. Mayapur temple,
Vrindavan Banke Bihariji Temple, Mathura Sri Krishna Mandir, Swarkadish temple
in Dwarka, and Nathdwara Shreenathji temple are the most popular temples to
visit during Gopastami festival. In Mayapur temple, on this festive day Maha
Yagna and Charan Darshan of Srimati Radharani are held.
2016 Date : 8th November, Tuesday.
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