Why we celebrate
Gopashtami is a day of Krishna's cow-herding, sacred to cows and the gopis, marking Krishna's transition from a child to a cowherd.
Bhagavata Purana
Festival Profile
Gopashtami
Day of Krishna's cow-herding, sacred to cows and the gopis.
Gopashtami is a day of Krishna's cow-herding, sacred to cows and the gopis, marking Krishna's transition from a child to a cowherd.
When
Gopashtami falls on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the bright fortnight of Kartik (October-November).
Since when it is followed
The Krishna cow-herding legend belongs to the Dwapara Yuga.
Bhagavata Purana
Who celebrates / for whom
Celebrated by devotees of Krishna, especially in Vrindavan and Mathura.
Origin
The origin is Krishna's transition from a child to a cowherd, when he began grazing the cows with his elder brother Balarama, as told in the Bhagavata Purana.
Bhagavata Purana (Dwapara Yuga)
Key deities
Lord Krishna and the sacred cow.
How to celebrate
Worship the cows, offer them food, and perform the Krishna puja.
Rituals & offerings
Worship of cows, Krishna puja, and the offering of fodder and sweets.
Key facts
The cow is considered sacred in the Hindu tradition.
Bhagavata Purana tradition