All You Need to Know About Vagh Baras/Govatsa Dwadashi 2023
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Govatsa Dwadashi is a unique festival dedicated to worshipping cows. This day is celebrated as a thank-you gesture to cows for their contribution to maintaining human life.
It is also known as ‘Nandini Vrat,’ and in the English calendar, this date comes between the months of October and November.
Govatsa Dwadashi occurs one day before the ‘Dhanteras’ festival. Hindu devotees worship ‘Nandini,’ the sacred cow, during Govatsa Dwadashi. It is thought that by doing so, all of their wishes will come true. It is widely observed and celebrated in many parts of India.
For example, this day is known as ‘Vasu Baras’ in Maharashtra, and it is the first day of the Deepavali celebrations. On Govatsa Dwadashi, the ‘Sripada Vallabha Aradhana Utsav’ is held at Pithapuram Datta Mahasamsthan in the state of Andhra Pradesh while in Gujarat it is celebrated as ‘Vagh Baras’.
Govatsa Dwadashi’s Importance:
The ‘Bhavishya Purana’ mentions the significance and mythology of Govatsa Dwadashi. The narrative of Nandini, the Divine cow, and her calves are also told in the Purana. Cows are considered sacred in Hinduism. They are even revered as sacred mothers since they provide nutrition to the human race. Women fast on Govatsa Dwadashi in order for their children to live a long life. It is widely believed that if a childless couple devotes themselves to the Govatsa Dwadashi puja and fasts, they would be blessed with a child.
Govatsa Dwadashi is also known as ‘Vagh’ in some parts of Northern India, which means repaying one’s financial debts.’ As a result, businesspeople clear their accounts books on this designated day and do not enter any new transactions in their fresh ledgers. On Govatsa Dwadashi, a person who worships cows will be blessed with abundance and a long life.
Govatsa Dwadashi 2023 is on Friday, 09 November 2023
Important Timings On Govatsa Dwadashi
| Sunrise | November 9, 2023 6:19 AM |
| Sunset | November 9, 2023, 5:59 PM |
| Dwadashi Tithi Begins | 10:41 AM on Nov 09, 2023 |
| Dwadashi Tithi Ends | 12:35 PM on Nov 10, 2023 |
| Govatsa Dwadashi Pradosh Puja Time | 05:31 PM to 08:09 PM |
Rituals during Govatsa Dwadashi:
• On Govatsa Dwadashi, cows are worshipped. Vermillion is put to the forehead after a ritualistic wash. The cows and their calves are then elegantly dressed and adorned with a garland of flowers.
• If there isn’t a cow around, devotees build mud idols of cows and their calves on Govatsa Dwadashi. After that, kumkum and turmeric are applied to the mud idols. In the evening, a ‘aarti’ is performed.
• Cows are offered gramme and sprouted moong, among other things. The offerings made are symbolic of Nandini on earth.
• Devotees also pray to Sri Krishna, who is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and is known for his deep gratitude and affection for cows.
• On this day, women observe a vrat, or fast, for the sake of their children’s health. They are not allowed to eat or drink during the day and can only eat one meal. The Nandini Vrat observer must refrain from any physical exertion and remain vigilant throughout the night. If a person wishes to sleep, he or she must do it on the floor rather than on the bed. • On the day of Govatsa Dwadashi, some people refrain from drinking cow’s milk and eating curd and ghee.