Goshala

Shivpuri has its own Goshala (Cow Farm). Currently we have about 40 cows and around 15 young calves. Most of the current lot of cows have been born right here in Shvipuri.

Guru Mandir has a tradition of Cow rearing for more than a hundred years. There was a Cow shed in the court yard of Guru Mandir, till around 1950's. Then the existing building was built and the Cow's were shifted to another location.

Shreeji was very fond of Cow's. He had a Cow farm built in Konahalli, in a farm owned by Mr. parkhe, on the Solapur - Akkalkot road. He would visit the farm often on important festival days, etc to give sweets and other food items to the Cow's. He always enquired about their well being and asked the people there totake great care of the Cow's in the farm. The Cow farm still stands there and even today has a number of Cow's, which are being reared and cared for by the family of Mr. Parkhe.

Shreeji would always promote people to start their own GoShala (Cow Farm). He said that the cows are a very integral and essential part of the Yagnya Sanstha (System).

So for the rejuvenation of the Vedic knowledge and for doing Yagnyas, Cow's are needed. That is why the rearing of Cow's has been in the human systems for a long time. The milk and other milk products that are made form the milk are part of the daily food products acroos most of the planet and is used in almost all cultures. Also Cow's are essential for Agriculture as the Bulls are used to tilling the land and the Dung and Urine from the Cow's acts a very potent Organic Manure and pesticide. That is maybe one of the chief reasons that Cow's have been reared by human's since ancient times.

Go Samadhi:

Shreeji even had a Go Samadhi (Cow Memorial), built in Shivpuri in the memory of the Cow, whose milk and ghee were used in the 1969 MahaSomayaga in Shivpuri. He strongly abolished the concept of flesh offerings in the Yagnyga fire and urged people to practice Ahimsak (Without flesh sacrifice) systems of Yagnya.

Shivpuri, thus has a very long association and history of Cow rearing.

Cow Rearing Methods:

All the cows in Shivpuri are reared using organic and vedic methods. They are even given Ayurvedic medicines form time to time to keep them healthy. Also some herbs which Ayurveda has said as Lactation increasing are given to the Cow's. An doctor has been specially appointed for the maintenance of health of the Cow's. A detailed report of every Cow has been kept to make sure that the medication and other important things can be given on time. Also a milking record and a Service record of all the Cow's is kept to assure timely Weaning off and then timely conception to happen.

Building:

A new Cow Shed was erected in Shivpuri, in the year 2007. Today it has been built to accomodate upto 60 cows. It is a strong structure with ample space for the Cow's to walk around and rest. It is made from concrete for sheilding the Cow's from the elements. They are safe iside during the scorching heat and the occasional thunder storms that are very usual in the area around Shivpuri. During the summer as the heat touches scorching heights with temperatures touching upto 45 degree celcius, the Cow's are safe inside the new shed. Special provisions like putting up of Vetiver (Khus) curtains, etc is done to avoid too much heat from entering the shed and bothering the Cow's health.

Calf Shed:

A special shed has been built near the main building for the young calves. They are kept separate because there are sometimes chances of them hurting themselves due to the excess jumping around they do. A separate shed enables them to have their own space, where they can play around by themselves. Also if the running around of calves has known to cause disturbance to the Cow's. They are kept in a different shed and allowed to drink the milk from the Cow's during the milking time. They are also let loose with the Cow's during grazing time in the fields. Special care is also taken of the calves to maintain a steady growth rate. They are also given Special Ayurvedic medicines to ensure optimum growth and development. Also the On Duty Vet does a complete routine check up of the calves to guarantee a disease free growing period. A detailed record of the calves is kept individually to mark the growth rate, Service period, etc.

Fodder:

We also accept donations for other services like Sponsoring the Cow Fodder, Medicines, etc. One can also contribute towards this cause.

Great care is taken in making sure that the Cow's are fed the right fodder. The Cow's are fed Green Grass, Dry Grass, Go Khadya (Cow Feed) which is a powder like material which made from a combination of various Pulses, Whole Rice Flakes, Sesame Seeds, Whole Wheat Flakes, Groundnut Paste, etc., Special Ayurvedic Formula and also they are given time to graze around in the open fields and meadows around the Cow Farm. Some farms around Shivpuri have been specially developed to become grazing grounds for the Cow's. The Dr and Green Grass, that is fed to the Cow's, is also grown in Shivpuri Farms on Agnihotra Farming Methods. Various Medicines as per Vet Specifications are also given to the Cow's to ensure optimum health. Only recently in the year 2008, a new fodder cutting machine was bought, which cuts the fodder into pieces short enough for the Cow's to eat easily. The specific watering times are also noted and the Cow's are given ample and clean ground water from the wells or Borewells of Shivpuri. This guarantees a contamination free drinking water and restrict the transfer of water borne diseases.

Milking:

The Cows's are milked two times a day. Once at 5 am and then again at around 4 pm. Experienced staff members only are allowed to do this activity, as an inexperienced person can end up hurting the Cow. The milk from these cows is used in Annapurna-kitchen. This milk is also used for the Naivedyam (offering to God). the milk is used to make Naivedyam both in Shivpuri and Guru Mandir. Fresh milk is sent ot Guru Mandir every day for the Naivedyam purpose.

Milk Distribution:

Some milk is also distributed in the nearby localities. People from the areas around Shivpuri come to Shivpuri every morning and evening to collect the milk. They have said that though milk is also available around the places where they live but they prefer the Milk form Shivpuri as it is more Tasty and Pure. They also say that the milk form Shivpuri is 100% Pure and they guarantee that it is adulteration free, which is not always as story with the milk available outside. So even if it means travelling 1-2 kms by walking or by a bike, they prefer the milk from Shivpuri than any other.

Shree Shreekantji Maharaja insisted that the milk form Shivpuri be given to the people living in the areas around Shivpuri. He said that the milk will help the small children in the area to grow becoming strong and healthy. He would always make sure that the people were given their daily requirement of milk. Sometimes when the milk was not enough, due to some reason, He would ask the Shivpuri inmates to buy milk from elsewhere for Shivpuri needs like Annapurna etc but give the everyday people their necessary amount. He would not like the children to be deprived of their daily milk and thus hamper their health, even for that one day.

Today more than 100 families collect milk form Shivpuri Goshala everyday. Shvipuri is trying to ncrease this number by buying more Cow's and increasing the milk production.

Cow Dung:

The Goshala also serves as a source for the Cow dung for making the Dry Cow Dung Cakes which are necessary for Agnihotra purposes. All the Dung is collected throughout the day and kept in an area specially demarcated for the drying purposes. Shivpuri inmates, Agnihotris visiting Shvipuri and some employees do the work of making the Dung Cakes. It is a process which involves cleaning the dung, mixixngit with water, blending it cohesively to form a homogenous mixture and then making it into a round form and laying it on the ground for drying. Today all this activity is being done on the terrace of the new Cow Shed. This has enabled the esay transfer of Cow Dung ad there is no loss during transport. also it is concrete slab, which ensures a flat cleanable surface for the Cakes, making them really flat, round and clean on drying. After drying, the cakes are then placed in a jute bag, around 300 Cakes in each bag. These bags are then stored in a dry place, away from directsunlight in a special storage facillity. Here later, some of the Cakes are then transfered into smaller packing size of 30 each, for selling purposes. They are sold through the Veda Agnihotra Center (VAC). nd the Pure ghee required for Agnihotra.

Cow Ghee:

Cow Ghee is a necessay element of Agnihotra. Pure Cow's Ghee is made everyday in Shivpuri from the cream that is collected in Shivpuri. The Ghee is made using the Ayurvedic method of making Ghee. All the Ghee made in Shivpuri is then used in Shivpuri. Some is also sold in 500 gms and 0ne kg containers through the VAC.

Milk Products:

Some milk products are also made from the leftover milk. Products like Curds,Shrikhand (Indian Yoghurt Sweet) and is also made available to the people living around Shivpuri.

Manure:

Broken pieces, leftover dung and Urine are collected into a soak pit. This is situated behind the Cow Shed. All of these are emptied, every seven days into a manure pit which is dug near the Northern end of the Shed. All the farm and Cow Farm waste like leftover fodder, dry leaves, twigs and the material from the soak pit are mixed together in this pit. it is a closed pit method of making manure. Agnihotra Ash is also added to this mixture. This method is as per the Agnihotra Farming Methods. All the manure that is made here is used in the Gardens of Shivpuri and also in the Farms.

Proposed:

A new shed for Cow rearing, which can house up to 100 cows is under planning. Shivpuri plans to build a dairy project also where Pure Ghee, etc can be made on a large scale.

Go Daan:

We run the GoShala on a no-profit basis. We urge people to come forward and donate towards this noble cause.

We also accept Go Daan (Donation in form of Cow). People who want to donate a cow can contact us via Letter, Phone or Email.

We also accept donations for other services like Sponsoring the Cow Fodder, Medicines, etc. One can also contribute towards this cause.