KATHMANDU: Goru Puja (ox worship) and Govardhan Puja are being celebrated across the country today, marking the fourth day of the five-day Tihar festival, one of the major festivals observed by Hindus in Nepal.
On the occasion of Govardhan Puja, devotees worship symbolic representations of Govardhan Mountain, traditionally made from cow dung. As part of the rituals, people prepare a mixture of cow dung and ochre, which is applied to the courtyards and floors of their homes to create sacred figures representing the mountain.
The religious observance is associated with Lord Krishna and the Hindu legend of Govardhan. According to the mythology, Lord Krishna lifted Govardhan Mountain on his little finger to protect the people of Gokul from torrential rainfall unleashed by Indra, the Hindu god of rain, after he became angered when the people stopped worshipping him.
The legend symbolises divine protection and the importance of nature and the environment in human life.
Similarly, Goru Puja is performed to honour oxen for their invaluable contribution to agricultural activities. In an agrarian society like Nepal, oxen have traditionally played an important role in ploughing fields and carrying out other farming tasks.
The worship reflects the close relationship between humans, animals and agriculture, as well as the cultural and religious significance attached to animals that support livelihoods.
Both festivals highlight the importance of nature, agricultural traditions and the close bond between people and the natural world.
Comment