Kathmandu, 22 Oct: Today, on the fifth day of Yamapanchak known as Tihar, the worship of the cow has been performed according to traditional rituals.
Worshipping the cow, considered a sacred animal, is a Vedic Sanatan tradition that has existed since ancient times. In our society, the cow is revered as a mother. Since the milk given by a cow is as nutritious as the milk a mother feeds her child, the cow is honored as “Gaumata” (Mother Cow). Modern science has also proven the significance of the cow, specifically that the hump found in local breeds of cows absorbs energy from the sun and moon and transfers strength to humans through milk, ghee, and dung. This is why the cow is also honored as the national animal.
There is a religious belief that by worshipping the cow and offering it delicious sweets and foods today, one will perpetually receive the purity bestowed by the cow. Although some parts of Nepal and certain communities have the tradition of worshipping cows on Kattik Krishna Aunsi (the new moon night), religious scholar Prof. Toyaraj Nepal explains that the scriptural tradition holds that the cow worship should be performed at the end of Aunsi and the beginning of Pratipada (the first day of the bright fortnight). Based on this very belief, the cow worship was performed today.
There is a religious belief that if the Rakshabandhan (protective thread) tied on the right wrist on the day of Shrawan Shukla Purnima (the full moon day in July/August) is tied to a cow’s tail on the day of Gai Puja, the cow will help one cross the Vaitarani River to reach heaven after death. Based on this faith, the Rakshabandhan thread was also tied to cows’ tails today.
President Paudel ceremoniously worshipped the cow
