6 pm Gau pooja will start . Bring your own pooja thali .

Gauvatsa Dwadashi involves the worship of cows (referred to as "Gau" in Sanskrit and Hindi) and their calves. This festival is deeply rooted in Hindu traditions, where cows are revered as sacred animals due to their nurturing qualities and association with divinity, particularly with Lord Krishna, who is known for his love for cows.

Key Aspects of Gau Worship on Gauvatsa Dwadashi:

1. Purification and Decoration of Cows:

   • On this day, cows and their calves are bathed and decorated with flowers, garlands, turmeric, and vermilion (kumkum). Sometimes, their horns and hooves are also painted with bright colors to honor their significance.

2. Offerings to Cows:

   • Devotees offer cows a variety of foods, such as fresh grass, and fruits. Popular offerings include wheat, gram, jaggery, and water. These offerings are symbolic of nourishment and gratitude towards cows for their contributions to society.

3. Worship Ritual (Puja):

   • Women typically lead the worship ceremony. They perform the ritual by lighting lamps, offering prayers, and circling around the cows (called parikrama). This ritual is believed to invoke blessings for family prosperity, health, and longevity.

   • Prayers and mantras are chanted in praise of cows, acknowledging their sacred status and their role in sustaining life.

4. Spiritual Significance:

   • Cows are seen as embodiments of nurturing and selfless service because they provide milk and other products that sustain life. Worshipping cows during Gauvatsa Dwadashi is seen as an expression of gratitude to these animals for their role in human well-being.

   • In Hinduism, cows are considered to be associated with Goddess Lakshmi (goddess of wealth) and are also seen as vehicles of Dharma (righteousness).

5. Blessings for Children:

   • Mothers especially perform this puja to seek blessings for the well-being, health, and long life of their children, with the belief that such worship will bring prosperity to the family.

In essence, the worship of cows on Gauvatsa Dwadashi is a reverence for life, nature, and the bond between humans and animals, which is at the heart of Hindu beliefs in non-violence, respect for all living beings, and ecological balance.