Gobardhan is a festival dedicated to cow, especially in
Madhya Pradesh and
Chhattisgarh. This festival is held on the sixteenth day of the Hindu month of Kartik (October-November). 'Gobardhan' literally means 'prosperity of cows'.
On this occasion, oil is applied on the body and horn of the cows and cattle. They are then decorated. Images of cows are made with cow-dung on the ground and earthen lamps are placed near them. The images consists of three figures, of which the first two are named Gordhan and the third one is named as ‘chugalkhor jamai’ (backbiter son-in-law). These are then crushed by the cattle.
Other ritual followed is the grazing of the cattle. Men fast on this day and wear female ornaments. Flutes, instead of the usual stick, are used for driving the cattle. The cattle are taken to the jungle for grazing. The men along with cattle return home during the evening. Men hang the flutes on the house roof, remove their ornaments and then end their fast.
