Karnataka temples to perform Gau Puja on Balipadyami on Oct. 22(For city page, deepavali package)

The Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Department on Tuesday issued a circular directing the temples operating under its jurisdiction to conduct Gau Puja (cow worship) on the occasion of Balipadyami on Wednesday as part of Deepavali festivities in Karnataka.

The circular, dated October 21, stated that Gau Puja would be observed on the day of Deepavali (Balipadayami) in all notified temples coming under the purview of the department in the State.

“In the Hindu faith, the cow, revered as Gau Mata (mother), holds a special and sacred status. In this regard, and to raise public awareness about the importance and protection of cows, which form an integral part of India’s religious and cultural heritage, temples have been requested to bathe the cows, decorate them with turmeric, vermilion, and flowers, offer Gograsa (a mixture of rice, jaggery, fruits, etc.), and conduct the Gau Pooja ceremony in the evening to mark the occasion,” the circular added.

There are close to 35,000 government-owned temples in Karnataka. On the day of Balipadyami, the temples should bathe cows, adorn them with flowers, arashina-kunkuma (turmeric and kumkuma), and offer jaggery, rice and fruits as “Gograsa”.