Events
- Tuesday 8th Nov 2016
Gopashtami Masik Durgashtami
Ashtami Tithi Begins = 13:09 on 7/Nov/2016
Ashtami Tithi Ends = 13:20 on 8/Nov/2016
2016 Gopashtami
Gopashtami falls on Ashtami Tithi during Kartik Shukla Paksha. It is famous festival in Mathura, Vrindavan and other Braj areas. Lord Krishna lifted Gowardhan hill on His Knishtha (smaller finger) on Gowardhan Puja day to save Braj people from fury of Indra. After seven days of unrelenting flooding of Braj region God Indra accepted his defeat on Gopashtami.
Lord Krishna suggested Braj people to stop annual offering made to God Indra. This angered Indra and he decided to flood Braj region. God Indra was failed in his mission as Braj people and their livestock were protected under the vast cover of Gowardhan hill. Cows and calves are decorated and worshipped. The ritual of worshipping cows and calf is similar to Govatsa Dwadashi in Maharashtra.
Masik Durgashtami
Durgashtami is observed every month during Ashtami Tithi of Shukla Paksha. On this day devotees of Goddess Durga worship Her and observe day long fast. The most significant Durgashtami, which is known as Mahashtami, falls in month of Ashwin during nine days Shardiya Navratri festivities. Durgashtami is also spelled as Durga Ashtami and Masik Durgashtami is also known as Maas Durgashtami or Monthly Durgashtami.