Govatsa Dwadashi, also called Vasu Baras, Vagh Baras and Nandini Vrat, falls on Thursday, November 5, 2026. In some regions, it opens Diwali festivities.
At Ujjain, the Dwadashi Tithi begins at 10:36 a.m. on November 5 and ends at 10:31 a.m. on November 6. Pradosh puja runs from 5:42 to 8:17 p.m. Sunrise is listed at 6:38 a.m., sunset at 5:42 p.m., moonrise at 2:49 a.m. and moonset at 3:11 p.m. Times are location-specific and may vary by panchang.
Observed on Krishna Paksha Dwadashi, the festival is named differently across calendar traditions. In Maharashtra it is Vasu Baras; in Gujarat, Vagh Baras. The Bhavishya Purana recounts Nandini, the divine cow and daughter of Kamadhenu. Devotees honour cows for the nourishment and support they provide, while many women fast and pray for their children’s welfare and family prosperity.
Some devotees paint cows’ horns, decorate them with garlands and offer seasonal produce. These rituals express gratitude for the animals’ role in nourishment and rural life. Popular belief associates the worship with prosperity and blessings for children, though customs and interpretations vary.
Rituals include cleaning the worship area, bathing and decorating cows and calves, applying vermilion, and offering flowers, gram, sprouted moong or fodder. If a live cow is unavailable, families may worship clay images. Some also pray to Lord Krishna, recalling his childhood connection with cows.
Fasting customs vary. Some devotees avoid cow’s milk, curd and ghee. People observing the fast should check local timings and follow their family or community traditions

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