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{{Infobox holiday
|holiday_name  = Govatsa Dwadashi
|type          = Hindu cultural and religious observance
|image         = Cowdivine.jpg
|official_name = 
|nickname      = Vasu Baras, Nandini Vrat, Bach Baras
|observedby    = [[Hindu]]s 
|begins        = Twelfth day of the waning moon fortnight (Krishna [[Paksha]]) in the month of [[Kartika (month)|Kartik]]
|ends          = 
|date          = October/November
|celebrations  = 1 day
|date2018      = 4 November 2018
|date2019      = 25 October 2019
|date2020      = 12 November 2020<ref>[https://www.drikpanchang.com/festivals/govatsa-dwadashi/govatsa-dwadashi-date-time.html?year=2020 Govatsa Dwadashi]</ref>
|date2021      = 1 November 2021(Monday)<ref>[https://www.drikpanchang.com/festivals/govatsa-dwadashi/govatsa-dwadashi-date-time.html?year=2021 Govatsa Dwadashi 2021]</ref>
|observances   = Worship of cows and calves and feeding them wheat products 
|relatedto     = [[Govardhan Puja]], [[Diwali]]
}}
{{Hinduism}}

'''Govatsa Dwadashi''' is a [[Hindu]] cultural and religious festival which marks the beginning of [[Diwali]] celebrations especially in the Indian state of [[Maharashtra]], where it is known as Vasu Baras. In [[Gujarat]], it is celebrated as ''Vagh Baras'' and as ''Sripada Vallabha Aradhana Utsav'' of [[Sripada Sri Vallabha]], at [[Pithapuram]] Datta Mahasamsthan in the state of [[Andhra Pradesh]].<ref>[http://www.sripadasrivallabhamahasamsthanam.com/index1.php?page=home Goseva at Sripada Srivallabha Mahasamsthanam][http://www.sripadasrivallabhamahasamsthanam.com/gopooja.php?page=gopooja][http://www.dattamaharaj.com/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A6%20%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%AD][http://sripadavallabhamiracles.com/]</ref> In [[Hinduism]] cows are considered very sacred and equivalent to mothers for providing nourishment to mankind.

In some northern states, Govatsa Dwadashi is referred to as, ''Vagh'', which implies repaying one's financial debts, which therefore is a day, when businessmen clear their accounts books and do not make further transactions in their new ledgers.

Govatsa Dwadashi is also observed as ''Nandini Vrat'', as both [[Nandini]]<ref>[http://hindumythologyforgennext.blogspot.com/2012/03/king-dileepa-and-nandini.html Stories from Hindu Mythology][http://www.apamnapat.com/articles/StoriesFromMahabharata660.html]</ref> and [[Nandi (bull)]] are considered sacred in [[Shaivism]] tradition. It is a thanksgiving festival to the cows for their help in sustaining human life and thus both cows and calves are worshiped and fed with wheat products. The worshipers abstain from consuming any wheat and milk products on this day. It is believed that by these observances and worship, all wishes of the devotees will be fulfilled.<ref>[https://www.hindujagruti.org/hinduism/why-is-the-vrat-of-govatsa-dwadashi-performed-before-dipavali About Govatsa Dwadashi][https://astrobix.com/hindupath/298-govatsa-dwadashi.html][https://www.ganeshaspeaks.com/festival-calendars/information/govatsa-dwadashi-vagh-baras-vasu-baras/][http://www.sripadasrivallabhamahasamsthanam.com/about_us.php?page=about_us]</ref> The significance of Govatsa Dwadashi is stated in [[Bhavishya Purana]].

It is said that Govatsa Dwadashi was first observed with fasting, by King Uttānapāda (the son of [[Svayambhuva Manu]]) and his wife Suniti. Because of their prayers and fast, they were blessed with a son named [[Dhruva]].<ref>[https://www.republicworld.com/lifestyle/festivals/govatsa-dwadashi-2020-all-about-the-history-and-significance.html About Govatsa Dwadashi]</ref>

==Rituals==
The cows and calves are bathed, draped in clothes and flower garlands; and vermilion/turmeric powder applied on their foreheads. In some villages people make cows and calves of mud, dressing them and adorning them as such, symbolically. [[Aarti]]s are performed. Wheat products, gram and [[Mung bean sprout]]s are then fed to the cows, symbolizing the sacred cow Nandini, on earth, who was the daughter of [[Kamadhenu]], and lived in Sage [[Vasishtha]]'s ashram. Devotees sing songs praising the love of God Sri [[Krishna]] for cows, and being their benefactor. Women observe Nandini Vrat/fast for the well being of their children and abstain from water and eatables. As cows are symbolic to motherhood and chief source of livelihood in many villages in India, they are central to Diwali worship.<ref>[https://www.marathicultureandfestivals.com/apps/calendar/showEvent?calID=7068811&eventID=251943066&next=%2FshowAgenda%3FcalID%3D7068811%26pageNum%3D4 Vasu Baras]</ref>

==See also==
* [[Dwadashi]]
* [[Kamadhenu]]
* [[Sripada Sri Vallabha]]
* [[Karnataka Milk Federation]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GG10QuJuvo Govatsa Dwadashi (Bach Baras) [[YouTube]]]

[[Category:Hindu festivals]]
[[Category:Hindu culture]]
[[Category:Hindu mythology]]