Rituals during Govatsa Dwadashi:
- Cows are worshiped on Govatsa Dwadashi. A ritualistic bath is given and vermillion is applied on the forehead. The cows and their calves are then beautifully decorated with bright clothes and garland of flowers.
- On Govatsa Dwadashi devotees also make idols of cows and their calves from mud, if they cannot find a cow close by. These mud idols are then adorned with kumkum and turmeric. An ‘aarti’ is performed in the evening.
- Various offerings are made to cows like gram and sprouted moong. The offerings made are symbolic of Nandini on earth.
- Devotees also offer prayers to Sri Krishna, who is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and had profound gratitude and love for cows.
- Women observe a vrat or fasting on this day for the well-being of her children. They cannot eat or drink anything during the day and can only take one meal. The observer of the Nandini Vrat must refrain from physical activity and keep vigil all night. However if a person desires to sleep, he/she must do so on the floor and avoid sleeping on the bed.
- In some regions, people abstain from drinking cow’s milk and consuming curd and ghee on the day of Govatsa Dwadashi.
The significance and legend of Govatsa Dwadashi are mentioned in the ‘Bhavishya Purana’. The Purana also states the story of Nandini, the Divine cow, and her calves. In Hinduism, cows are considered very sacred. They are even worshiped as holy mothers as they offer nourishment to mankind.
On Govatsa Dwadashi women keep a fast for a long life of her children. It is a popular belief that if a childless couple performs the Govatsa Dwadashi puja dedicatedly and keep a fast, they will be blessed with the happiness of a child. In some parts of Northern India, Govatsa Dwadashi is also referred as ‘Vagh’, which implies repaying one’s financial debts. Therefore on this chosen day businessmen clear their accounts book and do not make further transactions in their new ledgers. A person who worships cows on Govatsa Dwadashi will be bestowed with abundance and healthy life.