Gopashtami 2024: Know Date, Auspicious Timings And Remedies – News18
Last Updated:
Cow worship is a must during this festival as it provides blessings to the devotees.
The festival of Gopashtami has already begun on November 8.
Gopashtami is a Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of Lord Krishna and cow, celebrated primarily in the regions of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat in India. It usually falls on the eighth day of the bright half of the Kartik month in the Hindu calendar, which typically falls in the October and November month. This year, the festival of Gopashtami has already begun on November 8 and ends on November 9. The cow worship will begin at 8:00 am in the morning and will be continued till 9:00 am, while the afternoon puja will start at 12:05 pm and will be continued until 4:09 pm. During this festival, it is necessary for the devotees to follow some measures in order to get the blessings of Lord Krishna and the cow.
As it is believed that there are 33 Gods and Goddesses that reside in a cow; therefore during this festival, cow worship is a must as it provides blessings to the devotees and also removes the defects of the nine planets in life, and helps a person get rid of the financial crisis.
On Gopashtami Tithi, one should wake up in the Brahma Muhurta and take a bath first. Then, they must light a lamp in front of Lord Krishna. It is also necessary to bathe the cow and the calf and adorn them with ghungroos and other accessories. After adorning, both the cow and the calf should be fed and worshipped again in the dusk.
According to mythology, young Krishna expresses his wish to care for cows to his mother, Yashoda. Upon his request, the sage Shandilya chose Gopashtami as the auspicious day to allow him to graze them. On this day, Krishna worshipped the cows, circled around them, and paid his respects. Today, devotees visit Gaushalas and offer items like lamps, flowers, sweets, bananas, and Gangajal as a part of the ritual. Women perform tilak ceremonies for cows, offering green fodder and sweets while praying for happiness and prosperity. Even across temples, bhajans, kirtans, and satsangs are also held.
Know the different remedies of Gopashtami:
-
Feed fodder to cows: It is believed that during the festival of Gopashtami, if cows are fed green fodders, it brings happiness in married life and provides relief from all the problems.
-
Do Parikrama: According to religious beliefs, one should meditate on Lord Krishna and perform parikrama of Mother Cow as it brings good fortune.
-
Apply the dust of cow’s feet on the forehead: On the day of Gopashtami, the dust of cow’s feet should be applied on the forehead. After sunset, one should worship the cow as it brings success to life.
-
Apply tilak to cowherds: According to religious beliefs, on the day of Gopashtami, cowherds should apply Tilak on their foreheads and also give donations; it blesses a person with a child and removes all problems from his life.
-
Keep a statue of a cow: According to astrology, a statue of a cow must be kept on the day of Gopashtami as it provides an abundance of money and brings happiness to someone’s life.
