Bahula Chauth is fasted on the Chaturthi of Krishna Paksha of Bhadrapada. This fast is observed by mothers to protect their sons. Items made of wheat and rice are prohibited on this day. The law of worshiping a clay statue of cow and lion is prevalent. This fast is also called Gau Pooja Vrat. Consumption of cow products is considered prohibited. It is believed that only the calves have the right over the milk of this cow. Fasting on this day gives the child of a child a child.
Law of worship
Bathing in the morning at the base of Bahula Chaturthi Vrat and wearing clean clothes should be done. If there is a cow in your house, then its place should be cleaned and its calf should be left with the cow. Ganesha, Gauri Mata, Shri Krishna and Gau Mata should be duly worshiped in the evening after fasting for the whole day. During the fast, the mantra of ‘Om Namo Bhagwate Vasudevaya Namah’ should be chanted.
The story
There was a cow named Bahula coming back home to feed her calf. On the way home, he encountered a lion. Bahula is afraid of death but with enough courage she tells the lion that she has to feed her calf. Bahula tells the lion that once she lets him go, she will feed the calf and then come back, after which the lion can eat it. The lion freed him and waited for him to return.
Bahula returned after feeding his calf, which surprised the lion. He was greatly shocked and impressed by the cow’s commitment to his child, so he freed her and let her return.
It shows that the physical strength, anger and passion of the lion also had to be bowed down to the care and love of the cow towards its calf. From that particular day, devotees sacrifice cow’s milk and save it only for calves and celebrate Bahula Chaturthi. It is a symbol of worship that is performed to get blessings from the gods.
Bahula Chaturthi Rituals
Just like the unique significance of Bahula Chauth, there are unique rituals that people follow on this day. These rituals and celebrations are mostly centred around cattle, as they are the most important part of the Bol Chauth festival.
Preparing yourself
On this day, farmers and devotees wake up early in the morning to begin the preparations for this auspicious festival. They take a bath in the Brahma Muhurat, as it is the best time to begin with festivities. Then they remember lord Krishna to begin this festival on an auspicious note with his divine blessings. Afterwards, they begin with the rest of the festivities with a pure body and a religious spirit.
Cleaning Cattle and their sheds
This is one of the most important rituals of the Bol Choth festival. People of the agricultural community give a bath to their cattle with deep devotion and appreciation. They also clean the sheds of their cattle as a token of gratitude and respect. This day is all about having genuine thankfulness for cattle in your heart. Therefore, cleaning the cow shed is a gesture of gratitude towards these wonderful creatures.
Praying to Lord Vishnu or Krishna
Another significant ritual of the Bahula Chauth festival is offering prayers to Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna. People put photos of the deities in their homes and apply kumkum and chandan to offer prayers. They also light incense sticks and offer fruits and flowers to the gods. Additionally, people visit the temples of Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna to seek their blessings.
Chanting Mantras and Aarti
Mantras and hymns are a great way to energise your soul and connect with the divine. These melodious tunes bring immense peace to our minds as well as divine blessings. Therefore, reciting the mantra: ‘Om Namoh Bhagwatey Vasudevaye’ with your family members becomes a fun and interesting ritual of the Bahula Chaturthi. People read the Bahula Chauth Aarti and chant the Vishnu Mantra and Krishna mantras to bring positivity to their life.
Godhuli Puja
Godhuli Puja, or Gau pooja, is the sacred worship of cows or calves, which gives immense benefits to devotees. In this pooja, people decorate their cows with flowers and garlands. Afterwards, they put a tilak on the cows using kumkum and offer prayers to them. People wish for harmony in their families and a good upcoming agricultural year.
Bahula Chauth Vrat
Fasting is an integral part of any Hindu festival in India. Therefore, the celebrations of Bahula Chauth remain incomplete without the auspicious fast on this day. Farmers and devotees observe a fast on this day. Moreover, this fast begins in the morning and continues until the day’s end. People break the fast after the Godhuli Puja at night and offer Arghya to the moon.
Special food items
Bol Chauth’s unique rituals include the fantastic food that devotees prepare. On this day, people do not consume milk or any dairy products. It is due to the respect of calves who have the most right over a cow’s milk. Therefore, people prepare and eat food made of millet and other non-dairy products. They also prepare various rice dishes and feed them to their cattle.