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Gopalashtami – Gopal Ashtami in Jammu and Kashmir

Gopalashtami 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). Gopalashtami 2024 date is November 9. Gopal Ashtami festival celebrates the day when Krishna became an independent cowherd.

Go Puja, worship of cows, are performed on the day in Jammu and Kashmir by the Kashmiri Pandits and other Hindu communities.

In other regions of the India, the festival is known as Gopashtami.

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 in Kashmir.