Decorated cow taken in procession and Govardhan puja held at Khirdi in Korpana on Diwali

Worship of the cow, cattle wealth and Govardhan was held in the traditional manner on Diwali at Khirdi, in Korpana taluka. The event is held in the village every year, and villagers again turned out in large numbers.

The tradition has continued for many years. The family of Bapurao Ramchandra Nagose still observes it with devotion and enthusiasm. This year too, the ceremony began at their home.

The cow was first decorated in the traditional way. Its horns were painted and fitted with peacock feathers, and it was draped in an ornate cloth. The decorated cow was then taken around the village to the beat of dhol and tasha, with music and dancing. The procession was a grand one.

During the procession, the cow was taken to the village's Maruti temple for darshan. The procession then proceeded towards Mauli, and from there was brought back to the Nagose home with music. On arrival, puja was performed with full rites, which concluded the traditional ceremony.

Many respected citizens, elders, youths and villagers took part in the religious and cultural event of their own accord. With everyone's cooperation, an atmosphere of devotion and joy prevailed across the village.

Those prominently present included Subhash Sherki, Anandrao Sherki, Vitthal Gavhane, Ramesh Pal, Sakharamji Dhavas, Arun Kale, Vilasji Kude, Bapurao Dukare, Deepak Khekare, Suresh Nagose, Dashrath Nagose, Vilas Nagose, Ramesh Mate, Rakesh Botpalle, Uttam Sherki, Raju Nagose, Bhivsan Kumare, Shankar Madavi, Maruti Mandavkar, Uttam Kanake, Navnath Nyahare, Bhaurao Datarkar, Shankar Shitalwar, Dilip Pimplakar, Satish Rakhunde, Bhimrao Kotnake, Dilip Rakhunde, Bhaskar Datarkar, Ganesh Gohane and Shankar Mate. Many other villagers, young and old, also joined the procession and puja.

In Indian culture, cattle wealth is given special importance, and the cow is regarded as a symbol of prosperity, faith and farming culture. The Khirdi event showed once again that such traditional festivals help foster unity and social bonds in a village and preserve its culture.