Monday, October 20, 2014

Significance of Vagh Baras / Vasu Baras


Significance of Vagh Baras / Vasu Baras 

Vagh Baras also known as Wagh Baras is observed on the 12th day during the waning phase of the moon ie the krishna paksha) in the month of Ashwin as per the traditional calendar followed in Gujarat and Maharashtra. The corresponding month in the North Indian calendar being the Karthik month. 
In Gujarati, Vagh means repaying ones financial debts. The significance of this festival is that on this day people clear their ledgers known as Khata and enter into new transactions only after Labh Panchami. They want to bring back all the wealth into the house during this period and hence this tradition of clearing debts has risen. However, for practical purpose, nowadays, only the ledger entries are renewed and the actual financial transactions continue normally.
On this day as part of the ritual they worship the cow and calf and this vrat is known as the Nandini Vrat in Dhodia tribal villages in Gujarat in great fashion. Also, it is widely believed that Shri Vallabha who was an incarnation of Lord Dattatreya left the earth on this day. Hence it is also celebrated as Guru Dwadashi in some places.

Vasu Baras is the first day of Diwali celebrations in Maharashtra. It is observed on the 12th day of the waning phase of the moonie the krishna paksha) of Ashwin month as per the traditional Marathi calendar.  This festival is dedicated to the worship of cows.
During Vasubaras, married women observe the Go Pooja and Sri Krishna Puja to get the blessings of the Lord. This day is also known as Govatsa Dwadashi in many parts of India. In Indian tradition, the cow symbolises the mother and hence on this day, married women perform the puja of cows having a calf. The tradition symbolises the women’s gratitude towards cow for serving them and their children.
The significance of observing Vasubaras is also very interesting. During Diwali, there would be lot of energies generated in the atmosphere and it leads to instability and increase in temperature in the system. Hence to prevent this, Vasubaras is observed by worshipping the Lord, to protect the earth by his divine rays. It is widely believed that cows have the maximum capacity to absorb the divine rays of the God during this period.Here, the cow also represents the Lord in the form of Krishna and hence it is worshipped on this day.
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