Bharat has always been an animal loving nation. People of Bharat always had close association with animals which served as an important part of their daily life. Irrespective of the fields in which they were used like warfare, agriculture etc, people treated animals as a part of their family and culture. Some of the animals like cows, elephants etc, are given a higher position in the society because of their intelligence and purpose. Millions of Hindus and other Bhartiya religions revere and worship cows. They are considered sacred as they provide us with their milk throughout our life. Hence the cow is seen as a maternal figure.

Now-a-days cow trafficking has increased at an alarming rate. The illegal cattle trade in Indo-Bangladesh border alone involves transportation of about 1.8 to 2 million animals across the border. Apart from this illegal transportation, many illegal slaughterhouses functioning across the country also kill millions of cattle every year. In such a dangerous situation, many goshalas have been constructed across the country to protect our cows from these illegal activities of slaughtering and smuggling. One such goshala is the Neelavara Goshala situated near Udupi.

The Neelavara Goshala is managed by Govardhanagiri Trust. It is an unit of Sri Pejawara Adhokshajha Matha headed by Sri Vishvesha Teertha. The junior pontiff of the matha, Sri Vishwaprasanna Teertha, is currently heading the trust as its working president. The Neelavara Goshala managed by this trust has about 1200 cows (mostly native breeds) saved from cattle smuggling. The torture and pain which these cows suffered is visible from the fear which newly arrived cows exhibit when strangers visiting the goshala stand near them.

Kodavur, a small village near Udupi was providing shelter to such tortured and aged cows for the past 17 years. As the number of cows in the goshala increased, the Neelavara goshala was started. Set up on an area of about 35 acres by the efforts of Sri Vishwaprasanna Teertha, this goshala acts as a unique place for the protection of neglected and tortured cows. Farmers across the district have started sending their sick, non-yielding and aged cows to this goshala instead of selling it to slaughterhouses for the past few years.

Situated in a remote village about 18 kilometers away from Udupi, this goshala also houses a Sri Kaliyamardhana Krishna temple and Punyakoti teertha. A person visiting the goshala is welcomed by beautiful green surroundings and pleasant breeze. It is a rejoicing site to see the cows moving merrily grazing around as they have escaped from the evil hands of unkind slaughter-houses. The cows are well attended and well monitored as they rejoice every second in that heavenly place. With Sri Vishwaprasanna Teertha regularly visiting the goshala, every cow maintains a special bond with him. He cuddles them, pats them and greets them with smile and favor which enables them to gain their lost strength, joy and vigor. People from different places come here to perform rituals like Godana, Tulabhara etc., to be blessed by Sri Krishna.

Activities of the Goshala

This unique goshala does not sell any diary products as it acts more like an old age home for cows rather than a normal diary farm. Instead it sells manure, pesticides and medicinal products made from cow dung. Further, the Neelavara Goshala program has different green initiatives like bio-gas plant, solar lamps etc., for the benefit of the society.

How can you help?

This goshala has been run by Govardhanagiri Trust with contributions from different individuals. The bank details for the trust are –

Name   : Govardhanagiritrust

Syndicate Bank

Acc No : 01092200043935

Branch: Car Street, Udupi

IFSC     : SYNB0000109

Andhra Bank

Acc No : 117010011002585

Branch: Vidyapeeta Circle, Bangalore

IFSC     : ANDB0001170

Karnataka Bank

Acc No : 8022500102097101

Branch: Siribeedu

IFSC     : KARB0000802

All the donations are exempted from tax as per 80g regulations. Pan number of the trust is AAATG7634E. Interested individuals are requested to donate for this noble cause and obtain the blessing of Gopala. For more details visit http://govardhanagiritrust.webs.com/.

(Feature image source: http://govardhanagiritrust.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=57625384)

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