Vasubaras

When to do the puja

Quick facts

• Also known asGovatsa Dwadashi
• WhereMaharashtra
• Puja forThe cow and her calf
• In one lineThe first day of Diwali, for the cow and her calf.

How to do the pujaAbout 15 to 20 minutes

In short: Wash the feet, haldi and kumkum, diya and aarti, fodder and naivedya, then bow.

1. 1Wait for the evening. The puja is done at godhuli, when the cattle come home.Godhuli is around sunset, when the cattle head home.
2. 2Wash the cow's and the calf's feet.Plain water is fine. No need to rush.
3. 3Put haldi and kumkum on them and offer a flower and a garland.A little on the forehead or the feet is enough.
4. 4Light a diya and do a short aarti.Ghee or oil, both are fine.
5. 5Feed them some fodder and the naivedya.Green fodder or a little hay, and the naivedya from home.
6. 6Walk around them once, bow, and wish well for the family.Take your time and mean it.

What you needTick as you go

• Water
• Haldi
• Kumkum
• Akshata
• Flowers and a garland
• Incense
• A diya with ghee or oil
• An aarti plate
• Camphor
• Fodder
• Naivedya

Vasubaras, in a little more detail

1. 01

   About the festival

   Diwali doesn't start with fireworks. It starts with a quiet evening to say thank you to the cow and her calf. That's Vasubaras. It falls on Ashwin Krishna Dwadashi, usually a day before Dhanteras.

2. 02

   Traditions in Maharashtra

   No cow nearby? Plenty of city families pray to a picture of the cow and calf, or visit a gaushala. The first rangoli at the door, lamps on the ledge and the akash kandil usually go up around now too.

Frequently asked questions

The six days of Diwali

Dates for Pune