Feeding only jaggery and roti to cows on Gopashtami brings wealth and good fortune to the house. It is believed that serving cows on this day brings blessings of Lord Krishna. Know the worship method, auspicious time and what to feed the cows.
Gopashtami 2025 Date and Time: The festival of Gopashtami is celebrated every year on the Ashtami date of Shukla Paksha of Kartik month. This year Gopashtami is tomorrow, 30th October. Gopashtami is celebrated with great pomp in Mathura, Vrindavan and Braj. Lord Krishna and cows are worshiped on this auspicious occasion. On the day of Gopashtami, special worship of cows is done in cow shelters. There is a religious belief that worshiping cows on the day of Gopashtami brings happiness and prosperity to the house and improves the financial condition.
When is Gopashtami Puja?
- Ashtami Tithi Start – 29th October at 9:23 am.
- Ashtami Tithi ends – 30th October, 10:06 am.
- Gopashtami Puja Muhurta – (Brahma Muhurta) from 4:48 am to 5:40 am.
Why is Gopashtami celebrated?
According to mythology, Gopashtami is celebrated because Lord Krishna started grazing cows for the first time on this day. This day also symbolizes respect for cows and bulls. This day is celebrated as the festival of ‘Go’ (Cow) and ‘Gopal’ (Krishna). On the day of Gopashtami, people do special worship and adorn cows, because cows are considered sacred in Hindu religion.
What to do on the day of Gopashtami?
On the day of Gopashtami, serve cows, apply tilak to them, feed them green fodder and jaggery and circumambulate them. Worship Lord Krishna, perform his aarti and donate to the cowherds. On the day of Gopashtami, cleaning the cow shed and applying cow dung soil on the forehead is also considered auspicious.
How to worship Gopashtami?
- Cleanse yourself by taking bath before sunrise and wear clean clothes.
- Bathe the cow, apply sandalwood on its horns, garland it around its neck and dress it in new clothes or Kalava.
- Feed green fodder, jaggery, seasonal fruits and other special foods to the cow.
- After this, light incense sticks and perform cow aarti.
- Circumambulate the cow three times and then seek blessings.
- Apply some soil from the cow’s place on your forehead.
- After the puja, distribute some sweet food or prasad.
- If a cow is not available, you can worship a cow and calf idol made of silver or clay.
- On the day of Gopashtami, the cow is worshiped along with Lord Krishna. After the puja, perform aarti of Lord Krishna.
What to feed to cows on Gopashtami?
- Jaggery: Feeding jaggery to a cow is considered very auspicious and good for financial gains.
- Roti: Feeding the first roti to a cow is considered a virtue equal to yagya and charity.
- Green fodder and spinach: Feeding this to the cow strengthens the planet Mercury and removes financial difficulties.
- Wheat flour peda: Eating wheat flour peda on this day strengthens the Moon and Venus.
Which mantra should be chanted while feeding bread to a cow?
While feeding roti to the cow on Gopashtami, one should chant the mantra “Mother Cow” or “Om Dhenurupayai Namah”. Additionally, you can also chant the mantra “Tvam Mata Sarvadevanam Tvam Cha Yajnasya Karanam. Tvam Teerthaam Sarvatirthaanaam Namaste Astu Sadanghe”. By chanting these mantras one gets the blessings and auspicious results of 33 crore Gods and Goddesses.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article has been taken from religious texts, scholars and astrologers. We are just a medium to deliver this information to you. Users should consider this information as information only.