GO-PADMA VRATHA
Go-Padma Vratha This vratha is dedicated to the worship of cows during the four holy months of Chaturmasam starting from Aashaada Sukla Ekaadasi and ending on Kartheeka Sukla Dwaadasi. Go-Padma Vratha includes worshiping of Cows; cleaning of cattle sheds; decorating with Kolams (rangoli) drawing a picture of Cow and Calf and filling it up with 33 # Padmas drawn with Rangoli; and performing 33 # circumambulations (pradakshina) around the picture, giving #33 Arghya, Apoopa Daana etc. Those who cannot go to the cattle shed perform this in their houses by drawing picture as said above. This Vratha is to be observed for 5 years and then perform Udyaapana. Pourancally Subhadra Devi sister of Lord Sri Krishna is said to have observed this Gopadma Vratha. In Hinduism, Cow is considered as holy and a symbol of auspiciousness and worshiping Cow is a Vedic culture. It is strongly believed that all Deities reside in the body of a sacred Cow and is revered as a...