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Next: about 5 Nov 2026

Vasu Baras (Govatsa Dwadashi)

The first day of Diwali in Maharashtra, when a cow and her calf are worshipped together in thanks for the milk that feeds the home.

This image depicts parts of the cow embodying particular Hindu deities. For example, Brahma (the creator of the Universe in Hinduism) is her back, while Lord Vishnu is her throat. Shiva adorns her muzzle. To the right, a
Photo: Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Cattle at Vasu Baras (Govatsa Dwadashi)

Vasu Baras, or Govatsa Dwadashi, is the twelfth day of the dark half of the month before Diwali. In Maharashtra it opens the festival. In the evening, women wash a cow and her calf, mark them with turmeric and kumkum, garland them and feed them a special meal, in thanks for the milk that the household lives on. Many keep a fast until the puja is done and avoid wheat and milk products themselves that day. The cow is honoured here as Nandini, the wish-granting cow of the stories. In Gujarat the same day is kept as Vagh Baras, and across India it is an occasion to give to gaushalas.

The breeds

GirThe domed-forehead dairy breed of Saurashtra, kept in many gaushalas.DeoniA Marathwada dairy and draught breed found in Maharashtra homes.DangiThe hill cattle of the Nashik and Thane highlands.
About this page

Written by the EveryCow desk with AI assistance. Background: "Govatsa Dwadashi" on Wikipedia. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.

Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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