Gopadma Vrata 2024: Married ladies celebrate Gopadma Vrat in order to pray for their brothers' well-being. This festival is observed as a part of the Chathur Masya Vrat, or the Vrat of the four holy months. It is mostly said that the Madhwa community observes this. Additionally, it's observed as the festival of cow appreciation. The main deity associated with this festival is Bhagwan Sri Krishna. This year, Gopadma Vrat will be celebrated on 21st July 2024.
Gopadma Vrata 2024: Date And Time
- Gopadma Vrata 2024: 21st July 2024
- Purnima Tithi Timings: 06:00 PM, 20th July 2024 - 03:47 PM, 21st July 2024
Gopadma Vrata 2024: Significance Of This Sacred Day
According to ancient Hindu texts, Bhagwan Sri Krishna personally instructed His sister Subhadra to follow this Vrat. The term "Gopadma" refers to both the cow and the lotus. Subhadra, unlike other ladies, is reported not to have drawn Rangoli in her house's cow shed. When Sri Krishna questioned her about it, she explained that she was Sri Krishna's own sister and that her entire family was divine. She did not feel the need to seek the blessings of the Deities.
Bhagwan Krishna had instructed her to draw Rangoli in front of the home and cow shed, as well as to perform the Gopadma Vrat in honour of all thirty-three crore deities. It is said that Subhadra pulverised the pearls and blended them with hillock powder to create the rangoli.
Cows and Lord Krishna are worshipped during the sacred Gopadma Vrat. (Image Source: Canva)
Gopadma Vrata 2024: Rituals Associated With This Auspicious Fast
The essential component of this Vrat is the drawing of a Rangoli of a cow with calf, lotuses, auspicious symbols, and holy feet at the Puja location, Tulasi plant, or cow shed in the home. The cow is shown with six lotuses on its body. It is believed that the cow contains thirty-three crore Devathas (Deities).
After drawing the Rangoli, specific Pujas are performed on the cow and calf. The puja is performed with kumkum and atchatha (rice combined with turmeric). It is thought that the Rangoli contains all of the Deities. Thirty-three pradakshinas are performed around the Rangoli in honour of the number of the deities. Sweets are served as Neivedyam. Then six distinct pradakshanas are performed for the six lotuses shown on the cow's body. It is thought that the six lotuses symbolise the six Mohini Deities.
Arti is also performed. Arghya Puja is performed on a plate for the thirty-three crore deities. After that, another Arghya Puja is performed on a separate plate for the six Mohini Deities. After reading the Vrat Katha, rice and water are to be served on a plate as Sarva Samarpan. A special prayer is to be performed to beg the Bhagwan's pardon for committing errors during Puja.
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Gopadma Puja should be performed constantly for seven days. If a day is missed for any reason, the Puja can be performed on the following day in conjunction with the Puja from that day. The seven days are significant because Bhagwan Krishna raised the Govardhan hill and held it on His little finger for seven consecutive days.
(Disclaimer: This is based on general public information. Jagran English does not confirm its veracity. Before adopting any measures, consult an expert from the relevant field.)