In 2015, Global Hindu Heritage Foundation requested the then Honorable Sri Manikyala Rao, the Minister for Endowments of Andhra Pradesh Government to declare Krishna Janmashtami as Gopuja Dinotsavam. That letter was submitted to the Minister at his house in November 2015.
Padma Purana states. “The person who touches the cow after having bath daily, frees himself from all kinds of sins. The dust that arises from the cow’s hooves is so pure that the person who applies it on his head, is considered to have bathed in the sacred waters of different pilgrim places and freed from all sins.”
Why did we request Krishna Janmashtami to be declared as Gopuja Dinotsava Day where all Hindu Temples are required to perform Gopuja ever year? Our scriptures reveal that Krishna and cows are always together. One cannot be separated from the other. Lord Krishna tended the cows, fed them, protected them, and used to drink cow’s milk and eat her butter. He is called Govinda that means “one brings satisfaction to cows,” and also Gopala to mean “the protector of cows.”
In Bhagavad Purana, Lord Krishna says, “I can be worshiped within the Cows by offerings of grass and other suitable grains and paraphernalia for the pleasure and health of the Cows, and one may worship Me within the Vaishnavas by offering loving friendship to them and honoring them in all respects.” Mere presence of cow fulfills the desires of the individuals.
Cow is considered as Kamadhenu because it fulfills the desires. All her products such as milk, ghee, urine, cow dung and curd have numerous health and spiritual benefits. Scriptures say, “Gavo Vishwasya Matharaha” -Cow is the mother of the universe. She is recognized for her contribution in agriculture, transportation, food, medicine, religious functions, emotional stability, and economy.
Bhishmacharya in Mahabharata says, Cows “represent sacrifice itself. Without them, there can be no sacrifice. With their milk and the Havi produced therefrom, they uphold all creatures by diverse acts. Cows are guileless in their behavior. From them flow sacrifices and Havya and Kavya, and milk and curds and ghee. Therefore, cows are regarded as sacred.  “Mahatma Gandhi also believed that the “Cow protection is the gift of Hinduism to the world. And Hinduism will live so long as there are Hindus to protect the cow…… Hindus will be judged not by their TILAKS, not by the correct chanting of MANTRAS, not by their pilgrimages, not by their most punctilious observances of caste rules, but their ability to protect the cow. (Young Indian, 6-10-1921, p. 36). Recognizing our efforts of GHHF to protect Gomata, AP Government issued GO to that effect on April 1, 2016, directing all the Hindu Temples to perform Gopuja recognizing the importance and significance Gomata. Since that time, Gopuja has been performed in all the Temples in Andhra Pradesh.

Letter requesting Krishna Janmashtami to be declared as Gopuja Dinotsavam was presented to Sri. Manikyala Rao, the Minister for Endowments of Andhra Pradesh by Prakasarao and Nandini Velagapudi in November 2015. Fourth person from the left is Ramakrishna Velagapudi, MLA from Visakhapatnam who also supported our request.
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