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Time For The Festivity
The full-moon day in the month of Shravana is known as "Gahma
Purnima" or "Go Purnima". In the Hindu tradition even the
animals and plants that are beneficial to the human beings are
propitiated. The cow is regarded as mother. So, Gahma Purnima is a
festival of the agriculturists to worship the cattle.
A Celebration For The Farmers
Bullocks are the most important animals for an agriculturist in India.
When ploughing the field with bullocks is over the farmers venerate them
for the service they have rendered. Along with the cattle the God of
agriculture 'Baladeva' is also worshipped. The religious scriptures
testify that 'Balarama' invented the plough and showed the people all
methods of agriculture. Therefore, bullock is His vehicle and the plough,
His weapon. He has been also taken in as an incarnation of Vishnu in holy
scriptures. It is for this reason this festival is also known as "Baladeva
Puja" or "Baladeva Jayanti" in some areas.
On this day the cattle shed is cleaned and neatly plastered and sketches
of bullocks, bullock carts, ploughs and other agricultural implements are
drawn on the walls. Bullocks are bathed and decorated with flowers and
sandle-paste. Their horns are oiled. The rituals of worship take place in
the cattle-shed itself for which Brahmins are not needed. A piece of new
cloth is placed on the back of the bullocks and they are fed with
rice-cakes and pulses.