Description

India is a country known best for its lush culture, which extraordinarily has a rich history of worshiping the elements of nature and benefiting with the blessings of this energy. The pious practice of gowpooja is a fine example of how we show our devotion and get ourselves a blessed touch for our gratitude and faith. The Sri Krishna Temple in Udipi is a temple dedicated to lord Krishna. The temple attracts a great number of devotees and followers all across the globe with the beautiful art and architecture, the popular spectacular idol of the deity, the festivals and what not, but the gowpooja of this temple has a special audience and believers of its own. The temple has a very fascinating way of running. The pooja of the lord here is carried out daily with fourteen everyday rituals.Ten of the poojas are completed in daytime, starting from dawn and the other four go on till late night. Gowpooja is one of early morning ritual of the pooja. It is commenced after the Nirmaalya pooja and Ushakala pooja.

History

The worshiping and praying of cows is called gowpooja. In Indian culture, cows are considered holy and are given much respect by often calling them Gowmaata, meaning cow, the mother.

Importance/Significance

There is a belief that the rituals carried out till date in the temple have been the same for over a period of 800 years now, and the akshaya paatra and the laddle are also believed to have been devotedly worshiped from Madhavacharya's time itself. The aksaya paatra pooja stands as a blessing for the annadana to continue forever in the temple.The cows in the temple enjoy freedom of movement around the shrine, as Lord Krishna loved the cows himself. Moreover the belief of gowpooja roots deep in the Hindu religion as the cow is called the one abode of all the Hindu Gods and Demigods. This is why Gowpooja is very auspicious and is said to bless the devotee by wiping out all his sins and curses.

Facts/Mythology

With the completion of the Ushahkala Pooja the lord is freshened up with holy water and the mangalaarti is carried out with the offering of rice, curd, tender coconut, milk, betel nut and leaves to the idol. Then, it is the time when the swami ji starts with the Gowpooja. This pooja is performed to akshaya patra and holy cows; this is why it is also called the Aksaya Paatra Pooja.A cow is specially selected for the gowpooja everyday and made to stand freely at the door of the sanctums. The pooja of the cow is done with all faith and devotion. Then, an offering of fried rice, banana, sweet laddus of country sugar, etc is made to Lord Krishna with the aarti for expressing gratitude. The pooja of aksaya paatra is also done with the aarti. After this, the cow is offered with the food and aarti with hearty thankfulness.

Festivals/Events/Gatherings

Gopuja