Colourful parade by cows marks a festival in Madhya Pradesh
29 Oct 2009, 1448 Hrs

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Sironj (MP), Oct 29 Cattle owners decked up their cows in bright and colourful attire, and paraded them parade recently across the city of Sironj in Madhya Pradesh as part of 'Gopa Ashtami', a regional Hindu festival when cows are worshipped.

'Gopa Ashtami' in the month of Kartik as per Hindu almanac is the day dedicated to Lord Krishna and usually it falls in the months of October or November.

On this day, the cows are worshipped with extra reverence since it is believed that Lord Krishna, as a child started tending cows from this day.

The cows are given a well-deserved day pride. The cows are given a refreshing wash after which their horns are painted and covered with shining metal caps. Multi-coloured bells and flower garlands are tied around the necks of these cows.

The enthusiastic cattle owners escorted their decked up cows and later worshipped them.

"We have been celebrating this festival as a part of our tradition. We believe that all forms of deities rest in the cows. On this day, we decorate our cows and take them out in a long procession across the city. Cow symbolises compassion and we want to evoke the same in the humans through this festival," said Satyanarayan Sharma, a resident.

State Minister of Culture and Public Relations, Lakshmikant Sharma, took part in this year's two-day event that commenced on October 26.

"We have been observing this festival since Vedic age of yore. Cow is like our mother and it is our belief that all forms of deities rest in this holy animal," he said.

He added to say that the central government should take steps to stop cow slaughter in the country. (ANI)

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