Gopashtami - गोपाष्टमी

First Katha: This was the day Nanda Maharaja sent his children Krishna and Balarama to herd the cows for the first time. On Gopashtami, cows and their calf are decorated and worshipped. The ritual of worshipping cows and calf is similar to Govatsa Dwadashi in Maharashtra.

Second Katha: According to Hindu mythology Lord Krishna suggested Braj people to stop annual offering made to God Indra. This angered Indra and he decided to flood Braj region. Lord Krishna lifted Gowardhan hill on His Knishtha on Gowardhan Puja day to save Braj people from fury of Indra. After seven days of unrelenting flooding of Braj region God Indra accepted his defeat on Gopashtami.

Third Katha: As Srimati Radharani and Her friends wanted to enjoy the fun, and because of Her resemblance to Subala-sakha, She put on his dhoti and garments and joined Krishna. The other gopis joined in too.

On this festival, devotees wake up early in the morning to take bath and clean their places. The gowshalas has been well decorated with beautiful colours of rangoli and flowers. People mainly clean their cows and take them for long walks. The cow tilak ceremony is performed and jaggery, sweets, panchamrit, rice and water has been offered to cows. They have been worshipped along with the calves. The aarti, parikrama is usually performed and then fresh green grass is given to the cows.

It is popularly celebrated in various Gau Shalas and other holy places in Barsana, Mathura, Vrindavan, Braj Pradesh, Shri Krishna famous Mandir, Shrinathji Temple Nathdwara, ISKCON temples in all over India.