Cow has a high status in India. Due to religious reasons, cow has also been given the status of mother. For this reason, cow has special importance in the faith and belief of Hindus. According to Hindu religious texts, Shukla Paksha Ashtami of Kartik month is celebrated as Gopashtami. Cow is worshipped on this day. It is believed that those who worship cow on the evening of Gopashtami get happiness, prosperity and well-being. Worshiping cow on the day of Gopashtami has special significance.
Since then this day is celebrated as Gopashtami. It is also mentioned in the Srimad Bhagwat Gita.
Gopashtami Date
Gopashtami – Thursday, October 30, 2025
Ashtami Tithi Begins – October 29, 2025, at 9:23 AM
Ashtami Tithi Ends – October 30, 2025, at 10:06 AM
The Mythological Story of Gopashtami
According to Hindu mythology, when Lord Krishna was six years old, one day He told His mother Yashoda,
“Mother, I have grown up now. I should not only herd the calves but also the cows.”
Hearing this, Mother Yashoda affectionately replied,
“My child, speak to your father Nanda about this.”
The young Kanha immediately went to Nanda Baba and said,
“Father, I want to start herding cows now.”
Nanda Baba smiled and said,
“My dear one, you are still too young. For now, continue herding only the calves. You can take care of the cows when you grow a little older.”
However, Bal Gopal was determined. Seeing His persistence, Nanda Baba said,
“Alright, go and bring the priest (Panditji); he will tell us the right time to begin cow herding.”
Krishna joyfully ran to call the priest. The priest opened the panchang (Hindu almanac), calculated on his fingers, and remained silent for a long time, lost in thought.
When he did not speak, Nanda Baba curiously asked,
“What happened, Panditji? Why are you so serious?”
The priest replied,
“Baba, today is the most auspicious day to begin herding cows. After today, such a muhurat (favorable time) will not occur again for an entire year.”
Hearing this, Lord Krishna became overjoyed. Without delay, He took the cows and went to the forest to begin grazing them.
The day Bal Gopal first started herding cows was the Ashtami Tithi (eighth lunar day) of the Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) in the month of Kartik.
Since that day, this date has been celebrated as Gopashtami, and throughout Braj, devotees worship Gau Mata (Mother Cow) and the entire cow lineage with deep devotion and reverence.
Worship the cow in this way
It is believed that on the day of Gopashtami, when Shri Krishna went to the forest to graze the cow, the cow's horns were decorated with gold. Copper was put on the cow's back. A bell was put around the cow's neck and silver was put in the cow's hoof. It is said that on this day there is a tradition of performing 16 types of collective worship including Panchopchar. On the day of Gopashtami, cow mother should be decorated with flowers and sandalwood tilak should be applied. After this, along with worshiping the cow, flour, jaggery and other food items should also be given to it. Worshiping Shri Krishna along with the cow on this day also has special significance.
It is also a recognition
According to another mythological belief, Lord Shri Krishna holds the Govardhan mountain in his fingers from Kartik Shukla Pratipada to Saptami. Gopashtami is celebrated on the eighth day of Kartik Shukla Ashtami when Indra Dev's ego broke and he came to Shri Krishna to ask for forgiveness, since then the festival of Gopashtami is celebrated on Kartik Shukla Ashtami .
Donate milk on the day of Gopasthami
It is best to donate milk on the day of Gopashtami . It is said that if you have Venus and Chandradosha in your horoscope, then donating milk gives auspicious results .
Apply the dust from the feet of a cow on your forehead
The day of Gopashtami is considered very auspicious. On this day, the dust from the auspicious feet of a cow should be applied on the forehead and the cow should be worshipped at sunset. Also, bow down to it. This can always lead to success in life.
Feed fodder to cow on Gopasthami day
Gopashti is dedicated to mother cow. Therefore, on this day, green fodder should be fed to cows or calves. It is considered very auspicious. It is said that feeding green fodder to cows leads to marital happiness and also gets rid of all the problems in married life.