Govatsa Dwadashi is a traditional Hindu ritual that people perform every year before the Dhanteras festival. On this day, Hindus generally worship cows and calves as an integral part of Hindu religion and culture. Devotees offer wheat products to cows and calves while offering Puja (prayer).
Significance of Govatsa Dwadashi ritual:
In Hinduism, the cow, who is Sattva-predominant, plays a significant role. During Samudra Manthan (Great Churning of the ocean), The Kamdhenus or five wish-fulfilling cows emerged, a legendary remark. Nanda was among them. This happening vowed a religious observance that people continue to follow by worshipping cows, especially Nandi.
Apart from religious value, this animal nourishes the entire society by fertilizing the soil with dung and providing milk.
Ritual of Govatsa Dwadashi:
On this day, married women take a holy dip in the morning and complete the worship ceremony by offering food to cows and calves. Devotees undertake a fast called Govatsa Dwadashi Vrat, partaking a single meal in the evening or morning.
Benefits of Govatsa Dwadashi Puja:
- Under the spiritual aspect, during Diwali, a flow of energy (Shakti) gets activated in the earth’s environment that harms mother earth at a subtle level. To reduce the environmental instability and maintain a natural balance, people observe Govatsa Dwadashi Vrat.
- Devotees consider cows as a manifestation of Lord Vishnu. Hence, they perform this ritual to praise and satisfy him.
- Most importantly, by observing fasting on this day, one can attain all the pleasures of life.
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