Gopa Ashtami
Gopa Ashtami is an important festival dedicated to Krishna the Lord. This festival gives everyone a message to respect cows. Narrating Sri Krishna stories and Gow Puja (worshipping cows) hold a lot of significance on this day.
Significance
On Gopa
Ashtami, Cows- the animal we use for our benefit in our everyday lives- are given special treatment
as they are believed to be dearto Lord Krishna.
When
Gopa
Ashtami is observed on the eighth day during Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the Moon) in Kartik
month (October – November).
Legends and Beliefs
Hindu scriptures explain a lot about Lord Krishna. Krishna is the incarnation of Lord Vishnu and is well-known for his fondness for calves and cows since his
childhood. It is believed that on this day, Lord Krishna was allowed to tend the cows for the first time. Till
this particular day in his childhood, he was just allowed to take care of calves.
There is another very
popular legend about Gopa Ashtami according
to which Radha (a Hindu Goddess) also wanted to herd cows but was not allowed to. So, she dressed up
like a boy and joined Shri Krishna and other Gopas (cow herd boys).
Rituals and Celebrations
On this day, devotees
clean cows and their cowsheds and bathe cows with clean water. After that, they are given special food and are
worshipped. In Krishna temples and holy places like Vrindavan and Mathura (historic temple cities in
India) which are closely associated with Krishna the Lord, Shri Krishna
stories are recited and this festival is celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm. Many cows are brought
to the temples, where they are bathed, fed, beautifully decorated with colourful clothes and jewellery and are
worshipped. In many places, seminars and meetings are organized for cow protection and for their
welfare. Pradakshina (circumambulation) around the cow is the most important ritual of Gopa Ashtami festival.
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