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Diwali celebrations begin with Vasu Baras puja

This day is celebrated one day prior to Deepavali and has it's significance attached with the worshipping of cows. The Govatsa Dwadashi Pradosh Puja timing is from 17:28 to 20:06.

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Diwali is round the corner and all the streets, lanes and markets are flooded with colourful lights and flowers. This five-day festival is celebrated to commemorate the occasion of Lord Ram's return to Ayodhya after defeating the evil Ravana. Every one of us has fond childhood memories attach to this festival. I still remember as a child, we used to draw Rangoli outside our homes and light diyas in the evening. The tradition still continues and will never end.

A major Hindu festival, it starts with the celebration of Vasu Baras which is then followed by Dhanteras, Narak Chaturdashi, Laxmi Poojan, Padwa or Balipratipada and, lastly, Bhai Duj. Now we all might know the traditions associated behind each of this day but very rarely do we hear about Vasu Baras. So this Diwali, let us brush up our knowledge on why we celebrate this day and what the tradition behind it is.

Vasu Baras is typically celebrated one day before Diwali starts, which means a day prior to the Dhanteras. Celebrated on the twelfth light of day of the Krishna Paksha of Ashwin calendar month according to the Maharashtrian calendar, the day is recognised for honouring cows and calves. 'Vasu' means cow and 'Baras' means the twelfth day, hence the word Vasu Baras.

Vasu Baras 
Govatsa Dwadashi Pradosh Puja Time = 17:28 to 20:06

 

 

The celebration of Vasu Baras is commonly seen in states like Maharashtra and Gujarat and parts of South India only. Here, Diwali begins with Vasu Baras. In Maharashtra, we have Vasu Baras or Govatsa Dwadashi, in Gujarat it is called Bagh Baras and in southern India, people celebrate it as Nandini Vrat. 

India is still considered as a country with an agrarian economy. A major part of the country still earns income through the means of agriculture. Hence in many parts of rural India, people celebrate this day by worshipping their cows and calves, since for them cows are their primary source of income. Women of the house perform Gou Pooja and Shri Krishna Pooja. They also believe that this day, Goddess Lakshmi who is known as Goddess of Wealth takes the form of the cow, hence the folks worship cow to seek blessings from Goddess Lakshmi.

In Gujarat, it is believed that 'bagh' means to get rid of one's debt. Hence, the business community in Gujarat often closes the year's account books and prays to Goddess Lakshmi that they be completely free of debt next year. Preparations made of moong are served to cows and then the same is eaten by family members.

In southern India, where this day is celebrated as Nandini Vrat, the family worships cows and calves and serve them various preparations made of wheat. It is a belief that on this day, one should not consume milk, ghee or any other milk products and have preparations made of wheat only.

Another belief attached to this day is that during Diwali, there is a lot of energy around which leads to increase in the earth's atmosphere. Hence on this day people worship cows since they are believed to absorb maximum energy emerging from the divine rays. 

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