Gopashtami: Cows decked up, fed laddoos-puris in Madhya Pradesh

I hadn't heard of Gopashtami till now. It is not Gowardhan puja, but Gopashtami which comes later. Seeing the celebrations this year, I asked and found out that it is an occasion when cows are decked up and offered sweets.

People put peacock feathers on the cows, colour them and deck up the cows in different ways.

Then, these cows are taken out on the streets. There is a sort of procession of cows in the towns.

At some places, the most beautifully decked up cows are selected and the owners get cash rewards.

Then, the cows are also given good food that inclues puri and laddoos. There are other sweets too.

In eastern MP, some Yadavas say that they play the role of 'Gwala' even though they have taken to urban life and don't keep cows anymore.

They go to forests, cook special meals and while eating the dinner, share this food with the cows too.

So that's the dawat for bovines. See photos of cows being fed 'laddoos' and decked up.