11. The Govardhan Puja Festival

Cows are sacred throughout India. Within the town of Garbada in Gujarat state, there is one day when cows can literally step all over people. On Govardhan Puja, some locals lie on the ground and serve as human rugs for cows to walk on.

It is believed that by offering their bodies to these sacred animals, their prayers would be answered.

Govardhan Puja is held on the fourth day of Diwali or the Hindu festival of lights. The Puja commemorates the lifting of Mount Govardhan by Lord Krishna. Locals use cow dung to create hillocks representing this mountain. They then decorate the cow dung with flowers and offer prayers to Lord Govardhan as they dance around it.

 

Meanwhile, the cows stomp away with style. Before the ceremony, villagers adorn these animals with colored powder, flowers and henna.

Locals say the ritual has been going on for hundreds of years with no serious injuries to devotees.

Diwali is India’s most important festivity and it’s celebrated across religions. The five days of the festival are marked by family gatherings and celebrations. People light bonfires, ignite clay lamps, and set off fireworks to represent light protecting them from “spiritual darkness.” People also light lamps and leave their doors open to invite Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth.