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Gopashtami 2024 In Kartik Month – Gopashtami Festival and Go Puja

Gopashtami, or Gopa Ashtami, is an important festival dedicated to Lord Krishna and is observed on the eighth day during waxing phase of the moon in the month of Kartik (October – November). Gopashtami 2024 date is November 9. Gopastami festival celebrates the day when Krishna became an independent cowherd. Go Puja, worship of cows, is performed in many regions in India on the day.

It is believed that Lord Krishna was allowed to herd the cows for the first time on this day by his foster father Nanda. Till then he was only looking after the calves. The day is a major event in all Krishna temples and in places associated with Krishna like Vrindavan, Mathura and Nathdwara.

Devotees bathe and clean the cows and the cowshed (Goshala). In Nathdwara, cow herders bring hundreds of cows and their calves to the temples and the cows are beautifully decorated for the occasion.

Gopashtami ritual was meant for boys only but it is said that Radha also wanted to join in the ritual and she dressed up like a boy and took part in the festival. This incident is enacted in some regions on the day.

Several important meetings and seminars on cow protection are also held on the day.

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