在印度，排燈節（Diwali）結束的第二天，一個十分特殊的傳統儀式便會在某些地區舉行，那就是讓孩子們在牛糞中翻滾，進行所謂的「牛糞澡」。這一習俗的根源在於印度文化中對牛的神聖崇拜。牛被視為神聖的生物，其排泄物也因此被賦予神聖和吉祥的象徵意義。牛糞不僅在宗教儀式中用作燃料或祭祀材料，也被認為具有淨化和保護的功能。

在儀式正式開始之前，當地居民會花費數週時間收集乾淨的牛糞，並將其放置在特定位置，通常是在家庭院落或寺廟周圍的神聖空間內。人們會先進行祭祀，向神靈祈禱，祈求孩子平安健康，遠離疾病和災禍。隨後，孩子們被放在牛糞上進行翻滾，象徵接受神聖的祝福與淨化。

這一傳統被當地人視為一種護佑孩子身心健康的方式，相信經過「牛糞澡」後，孩子將能夠健康成長，平安無事。對外人來說，這一習俗可能顯得不可思議甚至奇特，但對印度許多社區而言，它是一種深具文化意涵的宗教傳統，融合對神聖動物的崇拜、對自然的敬畏，以及對孩子未來幸福的祝願。

In India, on the day following Diwali, a unique and traditional ritual takes place in certain regions where children roll in cow dung, participating in what is known as a "cow dung bath." This practice stems from the cultural and religious reverence for cows in India. Cows are considered sacred, and by extension, their excrement is also imbued with spiritual and auspicious significance. Cow dung is not only used in religious ceremonies as fuel or for offerings but is also believed to have purifying and protective properties.

Before the ritual begins, local communities spend weeks collecting clean cow dung and placing it in designated sacred areas, often within household courtyards or around temples. People first perform prayers and offerings, seeking divine blessings for the children’s health and safety, wishing to protect them from illness and misfortune. The children are then placed on the cow dung to roll and play, symbolically receiving purification and blessings.

For locals, this ritual is seen as a way to safeguard children’s physical and spiritual well-being. It is believed that after undergoing the "cow dung bath," the children will grow up healthy and protected. While this custom may seem unusual or even shocking to outsiders, for many Indian communities, it is a meaningful tradition that intertwines reverence for sacred animals, respect for nature, and the hope for children’s future happiness.