Gau Puja - ISKCON Nellore

Gau Puja at ISKCON Nellore is more than just a religious ceremony. It is a way to show love, respect, and thankfulness to the cow, also known as Gau Mata. At ISKCON’s Sri Krishna-Balaram Goshala, devotees can personally care for and worship the cows. The puja is done in a peaceful place with prayers and offerings. It helps people connect with spiritual values and also supports cow protection and caring for nature. At ISKCON Nellore, Gau Puja is a special and peaceful ritual that brings blessings for peace, wealth, and spiritual growth. It helps remove bad effects from planets, brings the blessings of Lord Krishna and Goddess Lakshmi, and shows thankfulness to the cow, who gives so much to life. Gau Puja can help devotees in the mission of “Go Raksha,” which means protecting and caring for cows as taught in the scriptures. Come and experience the love and blessings that flow from Gau Mata’s gentle presence in this beautiful act of worship and service.

At ISKCON Nellore, Gau Seva Puja starts with a Sankalpam, in which the devotee sincerely promises to serve and respect the cow, and Achamanam, or purification. Clean water and occasionally Panchamrit (milk, curd, ghee, honey, and sugar) are used to gently bathe the cow. Haldi and kumkum are then applied, and she is decorated with flowers and a cloth. The Gau Puja Mantras, or Go Suktam, are said to evoke heavenly blessings, and a light (diya) and incense (dhoop) are burnt. You can offer cows's favourite snacks, such as green grass, jaggery, and bananas; devotees show their respect by doing pradakshina, or circumambulation, around the cow. After that, the cow is fervently offered aarti. Devotees touch the cow's back or feet to offer prasadam and ask for blessings. By engaging in Gau Seva puja, one can connect their life with Lord Krishna's dharmic path, promote cow preservation, and achieve spiritual purity.