Gopuja Held At Srisailam On Krishna Janmashtami
Priests and Vedic scholars began the ceremony with a special sankalpam seeking the welfare of the world: Reports
KURNOOL: On the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami, the Srisailam temple authorities conducted a special Gopuja at the temple premises in Sri Gokulam on Saturday morning.
Though Gopuja is performed every morning as a daily ritual, Saturday’s event was held in a more elaborate manner to mark the festival. As part of the ritual, cows and calves were worshipped in accordance with tradition.
Priests and Vedic scholars began the ceremony with a special sankalpam seeking the welfare of the world.
The rituals started with Maha Ganapati Puja, followed by recitations of Sri Suktam and Go Ashtottaram. Cows were offered shodasha upacharas along with naivedyam, neerajanam, and mantrapushpam. Later, Gopuja and worship of Lord Krishna were also performed at the temple’s Goshala.
Priests explained that in Vedic tradition, the cow is considered sacred, as it is believed to be the abode of all deities. Scriptures state that worshipping the cow brings the same benefit as worshipping all gods.
It is also mentioned that Goddess Lalita Parameshwari manifests on earth in the form of a cow. Lord Krishna himself grew up in Gokulam, herding cows, and revealed their divine greatness to the world.
Hence, worshipping cows on Gokulashtami has become an important tradition. Temple executive officer M. Srinivasa Rao and his wife, along with priests, Vedic scholars, and officials, participated in the programme.
