Gow Shala
Gow Shala
Who We Are
The Beginning
A few enthusiastic and socially conscious devotees of Lord Sri Venkataramana, driven by a deep concern for animal welfare in general and the care of cows in particular, came together to establish a Gow Shala in Karkala. Responding to this noble initiative, the Trustees of Sri Venkataramana Temple graciously allocated 10 cents of land near the temple premises. Thus Sri Venkataramana Goseva Samithi was founded with a humble complement of 5 cows. The Gowshala was inaugurated on 25th April 2007 by His Holiness Srimad Sudhindra Thirtha Swamiji and dedicated to the service of society.
2007
Year Started
5+
Cows in begining
10
cents of Land
About Trust
Gow Shala
Sri Venkataramana Gow Shala Trust(Regd.)
Inspired by this noble cause, generous financial assistance began to flow in. The number of cows increased to 16 within just two years. At this stage, it was decided to establish a larger and well-equipped Gow Shala. The Board of Trustees of Sri Venkataramana Temple magnanimously allotted 5 acres of land on the outskirts of Karkala Municipal Corporation limits for this purpose.
To ensure structured growth and transparency, the Sri Venkataramana Goseva Samithi was converted into a registered body - A Public Charitable Trust under the provisions of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Accordingly, Sri Venkataramana Gow Shala Trust®, Karkala came into existence on 10th October 2011 (vide Ref. No. S-427/12A/CIT/MNG/2011-12 dated 10.10.2011).
Sri Lalchand Gajria
At this juncture, Sri Lalchand Gajria, a Bahrain based entrepreneur and philanthropist, with exceptional generosity, extended whole hearted support under the aegis of Gajria Family Foundation, a charitable society established by him. To date, the total endowment received from the Gajria Family Foundation amounts to around ₹ 2.00 crores, which has been instrumental in shaping the growth of the Gowshala.
With above support, the foundation stone for the new Gow Shala premises was laid on 27th October 2011. In a record span of just five months, a spacious cow shed measuring 7,000 sq. ft., along with an additional structure, was completed and inaugurated on 8th April 2012.
The additional structure, measuring 3,500 sq. ft., houses an office room and a store room on the ground floor and staff quarters on the first floor.
As the Gow Shala expanded, further infrastructure was added. A new cow shed measuring 4,400 sq. ft. was constructed in 2019, followed by another shed measuring 2000 sq.ft. in 2025, to accommodate the growing number of cows and ensure their proper care.
Quarantine Centre: A separate Cow Shed measuring 790 sq. ft. is constructed away from the regular cow shed as a Quarantine Centre for isolating and treating cattle suffering from contagious ailments.
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Objective / Mission
Objective
To promote and preserve the cultural significance of the cow, the symbol of India’s rural agrarian economy.
To provide pure and fresh desi cow’s milk to the community.
To set up an institute for preparing traditional medicines and products using cow by-products(waste).
To support and nurture non-milking (dry) cows with care and dignity.
To establish a botanical park for recreation, awareness, and harmony with nature.
To create an educational hub focused on cattle rearing, sustainable farming, and rural livelihood development.
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Feed, Fodder and Water Management
The cows are provided with a balanced diet, including wholesome cattle feed to meet their nutritional requirements. Out of the total land available, two acres in the Gow Shala are dedicated exclusively to cultivating green fodder. To enhance per-acre yield, perennial fodder crops such as Napier (BNH-10) have been adopted.
For irrigation of Napier green grass, nutrient-rich water containing gobar gas slurry, along with water from cleaning the cow sheds that carries cow urine and liquid cow dung, is utilized—ensuring healthier crop growth. In addition, modern irrigation methods such as rain guns have been installed to sprinkle clean water in a rain-like pattern, further supporting sustainable and efficient fodder cultivation.
In addition to home-grown fodder, green corn grass (Makke Jola) is regularly procured from Hassan, Belur, and Channarayapatna. Dry millet (Jola) grass and dry chickpea (Kadle) stalks are sourced from Gokak, Tiptur, and Gadag. Dry paddy is bought locally as also from Shimoga, Sringeri, and Bhadravathi.
To ensure their well-being, the cows are provided with continuous and unhindered access to clean drinking water, drawn from one open well and one bore well. The same water is also used for bathing the cows and cleaning the sheds twice daily, maintaining both hygiene and comfort.
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Promoting Healthy Livestock Practices
To ensure optimal health and well-being, cows need freedom of movement and access to open spaces where they can graze under natural sunlight. Daily exposure to fresh air and vegetation for 3 to 4 hours is ensured which enhances their physical activity, improves digestion, and ensures overall vitality.
Steps are also being taken to enrich the dedicated grazing field with fresh green grass and natural foliage, creating a more nourishing and comfortable environment for the cattle.
This initiative reflects a commitment to humane and sustainable livestock management, aligning with best practices in animal welfare and agricultural productivity.
Sustainable Practices at the Gow Shala
The Gow Shala is committed to eco-friendly and sustainable operations, ensuring that modern practices are harmoniously blended with traditional values.
Solar Power
An 8 KWP rooftop solar unit has been installed, meeting most of the electricity requirements of the Gow Shala.
Gobar Gas Plant
A biogas unit supplies sufficient fuel for the daily cooking needs of all resident staff, reducing dependence on conventional energy sources.
Fogger System
Installed to release a fine mist of water, it helps cool the environment naturally by absorbing heat from the air—especially beneficial to cows during the hot summer months.
Rainwater Harvesting
Rainwater collected from all structures is carefully filtered and used to recharge the well, thereby replenishing groundwater reserves and ensuring sustainable water management.
Gowmatha
The cow has always held a place of deep reverence in Indian tradition, with its origin tracing back to the Vedic period. The Rigveda refers to the cow as “Aghnya”—the one that must never be killed. Throughout history, our social customs and practices have emphasized the protection, preservation, and nurturing of the cow and its progeny. As the backbone of India’s rural agrarian economy, the cow has been regarded as Gowmatha—the divine mother—revered as the second mother who sustains and nourishes life.
त्वं माता सर्व देवानां त्वं च यज्ञस्य कारणम् । त्वं तीर्थ सर्वतीर्थानां नमस्तेस्तु सदानधे ।
Meaning: O Destroyer of sins! You are the mother of all Deities. You are the very basis of Yajna (sacrificial rites). Among all Tirthas (holy places), you are the holiest. I bow down to you in reverence.
The holy scriptures extol Gowmatha as “Gavo Viswasya Matharaha”—the Mother of all living beings. Thus, the cow is not only a sacred presence in our culture but also a divine source of sustenance for life on earth.
Beyond religious and cultural significance, the cow is also scientifically recognized as immensely valuable. It is believed that while inhaling oxygen, the cow also exhales oxygen. Recent studies suggest that cuddling cows daily helps reduce depression, anxiety, and stress, while also regulating blood pressure and controlling hypertension.
Benefits of Desi Cow Milk and Ghee
- Promotes the growth and development of children’s brains and improves eyesight.
- Strengthens the immune system and supports a healthy heart.
- Regular consumption increases good cholesterol (HDL) without raising bad cholesterol (LDL).
- Improves digestion and aids absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.
- Acts as a natural anti-ageing food and a skin-friendly external application.
- Helps strengthen teeth and bones.
- Provides protection against diabetes.
Benefits of Cow Dung and Cow Urine
- Organic fertilizer: Enriches and nourishes soil.
- Natural pesticide, fungicide, and insecticide: An effective alternative to chemical fertilizers, safeguarding soil, crops, and human health.
- Radiation shield: Offers natural protection against harmful radiation.
- Biogas: Provides eco-friendly fuel for cooking and a source of renewable energy.
- Anti-bacterial properties: Traditionally used in villages to coat walls and floors, keeping homes pure and germ-free.
Desi Gowmuthra
Desi Gowmuthra, revered for its therapeutic properties, has been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine since ancient times. It is also considered sacred for purification purposes as prescribed in Vaastu Shastra.
At the Gow Shala, Gowmuthra is carefully collected, processed, and made available to the local community at a reasonable price, thereby promoting both health and spiritual well-being.
Cow dung
Cow dung is a rich organic fertilizer and natural manure containing essential nutrients vital for the healthy growth of plants. When composted and mixed into the soil, it significantly enhances moisture retention. Dry cow dung is odorless, finely textured, and highly porous, making it an excellent eco-friendly alternative as it contains no harmful chemicals.
Cow dung also finds use beyond farming. The smoke from burning dry cow dung has been observed to repel insects, including mosquitoes, making it a natural pesticide. Further, with growing awareness about the importance of conserving trees, cow dung logs (Gokasta) have emerged as a sustainable substitute for firewood. To promote this eco-friendly alternative, the Gow Shala has set up a cow dung log-making unit, and these logs are now being sold in the local market as an environment-friendly replacement for traditional wood.
Gow Dung Slurry
In addition to supplying cow dung directly to farmers, the Gow Shala has installed a cow dung dewatering unit. This machine separates the liquid and solid components. The liquid extract is primarily used for plantation crops such as coconut and areca nut, while the solid residue is applied in gardens and across various agricultural activities.
Furthermore, nutrient-rich water containing gobar gas slurry, along with water from cleaning the cow sheds (which carries cow urine and liquid cow dung), is also made available to farmers at a very reasonable price.
Gow Pooja
Every year, the Gow Shala celebrates Govardhan Pooja or Gow Pooja — an auspicious festival observed a day after Diwali in the holy month of Kartika, also known as Bali Pratipada.
Lord Sri Krishna himself is closely associated with cows and was lovingly called “Gopal”—the protector of cows. In the 11th Canto (11.11.43) of the Srimad Bhagavatam, Sri Krishna declares to his cousin Uddhava that he can be worshipped by nurturing cows.
At Sri Venkataramana Gow Shala, this sacred festival is performed each year with great devotion and enthusiasm. Large numbers of devotees gather to participate, offering prayers, seeking blessings, and expressing gratitude to Gowmatha, the divine mother.
Operational Income and Expenditure
At present, the Gow Shala shelters nearly 200 cows, including indigenous and crossbreed varieties such as Malanad Gidda, Gir, Sahiwal, Red Sindhi, Concrez, HF Cross, and Jersey Cross. Out of these, only about 40 cows are currently yielding milk, while the remaining are dry.
This results in a revenue shortfall, which is bridged through generous donations from the public. By the grace of Lord Sri Venkataramana and the goodwill of devotees, contributions have been flowing in regularly and consistently, ensuring the smooth functioning of the Gow Shala.
Looking ahead, the Trust has also put in place a long-term strategy to build a financial corpus, thereby securing sustainability for future operations and continued service to Gowmatha.