According to the Hindu calendar, the Bachchbaras fast is observed on the Dwadashi of Krishna Paksha during the Bhadrapada month. This auspicious day is dedicated to women who fast and pray for the longevity and well-being of their sons. It is believed that reciting the fast’s story while observing the fast brings double the benefits.
When is Bachchbaras Vrat 2024?
In 2024, Bachchbaras will be observed on August 30. Also known as Govats Dwadashi, this day involves worshipping Gaumata (the sacred cow) and her calf. This fast is particularly significant for women seeking to ensure the health of their children or to wish for children if they do not have any. Observing the fast and listening to the story of Bachchbaras is believed to bring great blessings.
The Story Behind Bachchbaras Vrat
The mythological tale behind Bachchbaras involves a moneylender who had seven sons. He built a pond, but despite years of effort, it remained dry. Seeking a solution, the moneylender consulted learned Pandits, who told him that only the sacrifice of his eldest son or grandson would fill the pond. Reluctantly, he sent his eldest daughter-in-law to her parental home and sacrificed his eldest grandson. Following the sacrifice, rain poured down, and the pond filled.
When Bachchbaras arrived, the moneylender and his family went to worship the now-full pond. The moneylender instructed the maid to cook Gehula, a term referring to a calf. However, the maid misunderstood and cooked the calf itself. When the elder son’s wife came to worship the pond, she was puzzled to find her husband covered in mud emerging from the pond, revealing that he had been restored.
The moneylender, discovering the calf was missing, was told by the maid that it had been cooked. Upset, he buried the calf in the mud. That evening, the cow began searching for her calf and eventually dug it out. The moneylender, witnessing this miracle, declared that every mother should observe the Bachchbaras fast and pray for the well-being of her children, as the moneylender’s family had been blessed. This story is recited along with prayers to ensure that all wishes are fulfilled, and blessings are received for the health and prosperity of one’s children.
