What is Vrishabhotsava?

A festival honouring Nandi, Shiva's bull, and cattle generally. The animal is decorated, bathed and worshipped. It's observed in Maharashtra and Karnataka. The Deccan has several cattle festivals, Pola, Govatsa Dwadashi, Vrishabhotsava, and the boundaries between them vary by locality.

Vrishabhotsava

Marathi

the bull festival

Next date

11 September 2026

Friday

Full panchang for this day

About

Worship of the bull (Vrishabha / Nandi) on Pithori Amavasya, observed alongside Pola in Maharashtra.

Falls on: Kartik Shukla Dwadashi in most reckonings

What it is

Worship of Nandi, Shiva's bull, and by extension of cattle generally. A bull is decorated and honoured; in temple contexts the Nandi idol is bathed and dressed. Closely related in spirit to Pola and Govatsa Dwadashi. The Deccan has several cattle festivals and they aren't always sharply distinguished.

Food

Green fodder and jaggery for the animal; sattvik food in the household.

Common questions

What is Vrishabhotsava?: A festival honouring Nandi, Shiva's bull, and cattle generally. The animal is decorated, bathed and worshipped. It's observed in Maharashtra and Karnataka. The Deccan has several cattle festivals, Pola, Govatsa Dwadashi, Vrishabhotsava, and the boundaries between them vary by locality.

2026

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2027

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