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Last edited June 18, 2023
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[[File:Gosala in Guntur, India.jpg|thumb|300px|A goshala at [[Guntur]], [[Andhra Pradesh]].]]
{{Short description|Protective shelters for stray cows in India}}
'''Gaushalas''' or '''Goshalas''' ({{lang-hi|गौशाला|gauśālā}}) are protective shelters for [[cows]] in [[India]]. Goshalas focus on treating cows well, because of their religious significance in [[Hinduism]] and consequent cultural sensitivity towards their welfare.
[[File:FirstGaushala.jpg|thumb|300px|World's First Gaushala, Rewari]]
 
'''Gaushalas''' or '''Goshalas''' ({{lang-hi|गौशाला|gauśālā}}) are protective shelters for [[stray cow]] in [[India]]. Government grants and donations are the primary source of income of the cow shelters in India. Since 2014, when BJP government came into power in India, India has spent {{INRConvert|5.8|b}} on cow shelters in two years between 2014 and 2016.<ref name="Bloomb1" />
[[File:Gosala in Guntur, India.jpg|thumb|A goshala at [[Guntur]], [[Andhra Pradesh]].]]


== Description ==
== Description ==
[[File:Jawaharlal Nehru visiting a Goshala during his Gujarat tour in 1949.jpg|thumb|Prime Minister [[Jawaharlal Nehru]] visiting a Goshala during his [[Gujarat]] tour in 1949]]
Goshala, a [[Sanskrit]] word ("Go" means cow and "Shala" means a shelter place: Go + Shala = shelter for cows), means the abode or [[sanctuary]] for cows, calves and oxen.<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2001-08-17/bangalore/27235240_1_goshala-cattle-fodder |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110154205/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2001-08-17/bangalore/27235240_1_goshala-cattle-fodder |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-11-10 |title=300 cattle head for goshala everyday |date=2011-08-17 |work=[[The Times of India]]|accessdate=2013-02-06}}</ref>
Goshala, a [[Sanskrit]] word ("Go" means cow and "Shala" means a shelter place: Go + Shala = shelter for cows), means the abode or [[sanctuary]] for cows, calves and oxen.<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2001-08-17/bangalore/27235240_1_goshala-cattle-fodder |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110154205/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2001-08-17/bangalore/27235240_1_goshala-cattle-fodder |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-11-10 |title=300 cattle head for goshala everyday |date=2011-08-17 |work=[[The Times of India]]|accessdate=2013-02-06}}</ref>
[[File:Goshala at Chandigarh.jpg|thumb|Goshala at Chandigarh]]
[[File:Gaushala in Sector 45, Chandigarh.jpg|thumb|Gaushala in Sector 45, Chandigarh]]
== History ==
== History ==
India's first goshala is thought to have been established in [[Rewari]] by Raja Rao Yudhishter Singh Yadav.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020428/ncr1.htm |title=In stoic silence, historical tanks of Rewari await tourists |first=Nawal Kishore |last=Rastogi |work=[[Tribune India]] |date=2002-04-27 |accessdate=2014-01-06}}</ref><ref name="Mittal1986">{{cite book|author=Satish Chandra Mittal|title=Haryana, a Historical Perspective|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2RKTigrrP1cC&pg=PP4|year=1986|publisher=Atlantic Publishers & Distri|pages=4–|id=GGKEY:WZ4ZX97B5N2}}</ref> There are now goshalas all over India.
India's first goshala have been established in [[Rewari]] by Raja Rao Yudhishter Singh Yadav.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020428/ncr1.htm |title=In stoic silence, historical tanks of Rewari await tourists |first=Nawal Kishore |last=Rastogi |work=[[Tribune India]] |date=2002-04-27 |accessdate=2014-01-06}}</ref><ref name="Mittal1986">{{cite book|author=Satish Chandra Mittal|title=Haryana, a Historical Perspective|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2RKTigrrP1cC&pg=PP4|year=1986|publisher=Atlantic Publishers & Distri|pages=4–|id=GGKEY:WZ4ZX97B5N2}}</ref><ref>https://books.google.com/books?id=TOFFAQAAIAAJ&q=rewari+first+gaushala</ref><ref>https://books.google.com/books?id=iUFalxUFFWkC&dq=dayanand+gaushala+first&pg=PA128</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bhaskar.com/news/HAR-HIS-dayanand-saraswati-and-farm-4054949-PHO.html |title=Interesting relationship between Swami Dayanand Saraswati and India's first Gaushala |first=Nawal Kishore |last=Rastogi |work=[[Dainik Bhaskar]] |date=2013-04-05 |accessdate=2014-01-06}}</ref><ref>https://www.amarujala.com/haryana/rewari/the-foundation-of-the-first-gaushala-was-laidon-the-shore-of-nand-sarovar-rewari-news-rtk542918986</ref> There are now goshalas all over India.
 
The first ''Gaurakshini sabha'' ([[cow protection movement|cow protection society]]) was established in [[Punjab, India|Punjab]] in 1882.<ref>''The Making of an Indian Metropolis, Colonial governance and public culture in Bombay, 1890/1920'', Prashant Kidambi, p. 176, {{ISBN|978-0-7546-5612-8}}.</ref> The movement spread rapidly all over [[North India]] and to [[Bengal Presidency|Bengal]], [[Bombay Presidency|Bombay]], [[Madras Presidency|Madras presidencies]] and other [[Central Provinces|central provinces]].  The organization rescued wandering cows and reclaimed them to groom them in places called gaushalas. Charitable networks developed all through [[North India]] to collect rice from individuals, pool the contributions, and re-sell them to fund the ''gaushalas''. Signatures, up to 350,000 in some places, were collected to demand a ban on cow sacrifice.<ref name="Vishnu pp. 67-69">''Vishnu's crowded temple, India since the great rebellion'', pp. 67-69, Maria Misra, 2008, Yale University Press, {{ISBN|978-0-300-13721-7}}.</ref> Between 1880 and 1893, hundreds of ''gaushalas'' were opened.<ref name="ChapISec10">{{cite web|url=http://www.dahd.nic.in/dahd/reports/report-of-the-national-commission-on-cattle/chapter-i-introduction.aspx#item10|title=Report of the National Commission on Cattle - Chapter I (10. Beginning of mass protests against cow-killings)|publisher=Dahd.nic.in|accessdate=10 November 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927072033/http://www.dahd.nic.in/dahd/reports/report-of-the-national-commission-on-cattle/chapter-i-introduction.aspx#item10|archivedate=27 September 2013}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> Today, [[Punjab Gaushala Mahasangh]] coordinates these activities in the Punjab.
 
=== United Kingdom ===
The UK's only Goshala is ''New Gokul'', located at the [[International Society for Krishna Consciousness|Hare Krishna]] temple in [[Bhaktivedanta Manor]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.iskcon.org/grand-opening-of-the-five-star-hilton-for-krishna-cows,2298/ |title=Grand Opening Of The Five Star Hilton For Krishna Cows |publisher=[[ISKCON News]] |date=2010-11-12 |accessdate=2014-01-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vina.cc/news/index.php/General/New-Gokul.html |title=New Farm Complex at Bhaktivedanta Manor |first=Radha Mohan |last=Das |publisher=Vina.cc |date=2010-11-13 |accessdate=2014-01-06 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106214903/http://www.vina.cc/news/index.php/General/New-Gokul.html |archivedate=2014-01-06 }}</ref>


=== United States of America  ===
The first ''Gaurakshini sabha'' ([[cow protection movement|cow protection society]]) was established in [[Punjab, India|Punjab]] in 1882.<ref>''The Making of an Indian Metropolis, Colonial governance and public culture in Bombay, 1890/1920'', Prashant Kidambi, p. 176, {{ISBN|978-0-7546-5612-8}}.</ref> The movement spread rapidly all over [[North India]] and to [[Bengal Presidency|Bengal]], [[Bombay Presidency|Bombay]], [[Madras Presidency|Madras presidencies]] and other [[Central Provinces|central provinces]]. The organization rescued wandering cows and reclaimed them to groom them in places called gaushalas. Charitable networks developed all through [[North India]] to collect rice from individuals, pool the contributions, and re-sell them to fund the ''gaushalas''. Signatures, up to 350,000 in some places, were collected to demand a ban on cow sacrifice.<ref name="Vishnu pp. 67-69">''Vishnu's crowded temple, India since the great rebellion'', pp. 67-69, Maria Misra, 2008, Yale University Press, {{ISBN|978-0-300-13721-7}}.</ref> Between 1880 and 1893, hundreds of ''gaushalas'' were opened.<ref name="ChapISec10">{{cite web|url=http://www.dahd.nic.in/dahd/reports/report-of-the-national-commission-on-cattle/chapter-i-introduction.aspx#item10|title=Report of the National Commission on Cattle - Chapter I (10. Beginning of mass protests against cow-killings)|publisher=Dahd.nic.in|accessdate=10 November 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927072033/http://www.dahd.nic.in/dahd/reports/report-of-the-national-commission-on-cattle/chapter-i-introduction.aspx#item10|archivedate=27 September 2013}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> Pathmeda godham is the largest Gaushala in India with over 85000 cows being sheltered in the small town of Pathmeda in southern Rajasthan.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gupta|first=Abhinav|date=2016-04-13|title=Shri Pathmeda Godham Mahatirth: World's largest cowshed|url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india-shri-pathmeda-godham-mahatirth-world-s-largest-cowshed-323837|access-date=2022-02-08|website=www.indiatvnews.com|language=en}}</ref>
The [[United States]]'s first Goshala started at Gita Nagari Farm and Sanctuary, located in [[Port Royal, Pennsylvania]].<ref>http://www.theyogafarm.com/2016/05/working-farm-retreats-at-gita-nagari.html</ref><ref>http://btg.krishna.com/bovinely-inspired-new-vrindabans-care-cows</ref> Another major Goshala is operating in [[Florida]] under the name International Society for Cow Protection (ISCOWP).<ref>http://www.iscowp.org</ref> In 2005, students from the [[University of Memphis]], [[Tennessee]] established a non-profit organization to protect pure-breed cows imported from India.<ref>https://gaushalausa.org/about.html</ref> Lakshmi Cow Sanctuary is located in [[Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania]].<ref>http://www.cowprotection.com</ref> There is a cow protection farm in [[New Talavana]], [[Mississippi]].<ref>https://newtalavana.org/farm/</ref> A goshala in [[Arizona]] was established on April 7, 2010, in [[Maricopa, Arizona|Maricopa]], and later moved to [[San Tan Valley]] from February 1, 2012.<ref>https://issuu.com/timespub/docs/1016_se_mesa_book/1?e=8633901/39735650</ref><ref>https://www.https {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130819141428/http://https/ |date=2013-08-19 }}://www.facebook.com/GOSHALA-Save-The-Mother-Cow-156498881099185/?fref=ts</ref>


== Government support ==
== Government grants ==
Between 2014 and 2016 the Indian government spent {{INR}}5.8 billion (US$87 million) on cow shelters.<ref name=Bloomb1>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-07-17/cow-urine-can-sell-for-more-than-milk-in-india |title=Cow urine can sell for more than milk in India |publisher=Bloomberg.com |date=2016-07-18 |accessdate=2016-09-18}}</ref>
Since the BJP government came into power in India in 2014, India has spent {{INRConvert|5.8|b}} on cow shelters in between the years 2014 and 2016.<ref name=Bloomb1>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-07-17/cow-urine-can-sell-for-more-than-milk-in-india |title=Cow urine can sell for more than milk in India |publisher=Bloomberg.com |date=2016-07-18 |accessdate=2016-09-18}}</ref>


To prevent unproductive cows being sent to the [[abattoir]], the government started the Rashtriya Gokul Mission in mid-2014, a national program that involves constructing havens for retired cows. Proceeds from the animals' bodily waste are intended to pay for their upkeep. In May 2016, the Indian national government held an inaugural national conference on goshalas.
To prevent unproductive cows being sent to the [[abattoir]], the government started the Rashtriya Gokul Mission in mid-2014, a national program that involves constructing havens for retired cows. Proceeds from the animals' bodily waste are intended to pay for their upkeep. In May 2016, the Indian national government held an inaugural national conference on goshalas. The Niti Ayog is working on developing a roadmap for Gaushala economy to develop commercial use of cow urine and cow dung for various purposes.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Sharma|first=Yogima Seth|title=Niti Aayog working on road map to develop Gaushala economy|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/niti-aayog-working-on-road-map-to-develop-gaushala-economy/articleshow/89145535.cms|access-date=2022-02-08}}</ref>


==Other Sources of Income==
==Other sources of income==
Donations and tourist events are often important to support the goshalas. For this reason some goshalas are even linked to their own [[Ashram]], offering [[Yoga]] and music lessons.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Shri Shaktidarshan Yogashram|url=https://saveindiancows.org/shaktidarshan-yogashram/#|access-date=2021-03-01}}</ref> The offers of smaller enterprises may include workshops, visits and even retreats, aiming at tourists, interested in spiritualiy, alternative medicine etc.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Experience Dharma Farms|url=https://www.dharmafarms.com/what-we-do|access-date=2021-03-01}}</ref>
[[File:Benares1824a.jpg|thumb|Cow dung cakes plastered over the wall for drying in Varanasi.]]
Donations are the only source of income for the Goshala. Some goshalas offer [[yoga]] and music lessons for additional income.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Shri Shaktidarshan Yogashram|url=https://saveindiancows.org/shaktidarshan-yogashram/#|access-date=2021-03-01}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=February 2022}}


== See also ==
== See also ==
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* [[Cattle slaughter in India]]
* [[Cattle slaughter in India]]
* [[Cattle in religion]]
* [[Cattle in religion]]
*[[Jainism]]
* [[Hinduism]]
* [[Hinduism]]
* [[Brahman (cattle)|Brahman]]
* [[Ahir|Yadav/Ahir's contribution to Hinduism]]


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 12:11, 18 June 2023


World's First Gaushala, Rewari

Gaushalas or Goshalas (Hindi: गौशाला, romanizedgauśālā) are protective shelters for stray cow in India. Government grants and donations are the primary source of income of the cow shelters in India. Since 2014, when BJP government came into power in India, India has spent 5.8 billion (US$81 million) on cow shelters in two years between 2014 and 2016.[1]

A goshala at Guntur, Andhra Pradesh.

Description[edit | edit source]

Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru visiting a Goshala during his Gujarat tour in 1949

Goshala, a Sanskrit word ("Go" means cow and "Shala" means a shelter place: Go + Shala = shelter for cows), means the abode or sanctuary for cows, calves and oxen.[2]

History[edit | edit source]

India's first goshala have been established in Rewari by Raja Rao Yudhishter Singh Yadav.[3][4][5][6][7][8] There are now goshalas all over India.

The first Gaurakshini sabha (cow protection society) was established in Punjab in 1882.[9] The movement spread rapidly all over North India and to Bengal, Bombay, Madras presidencies and other central provinces. The organization rescued wandering cows and reclaimed them to groom them in places called gaushalas. Charitable networks developed all through North India to collect rice from individuals, pool the contributions, and re-sell them to fund the gaushalas. Signatures, up to 350,000 in some places, were collected to demand a ban on cow sacrifice.[10] Between 1880 and 1893, hundreds of gaushalas were opened.[11] Pathmeda godham is the largest Gaushala in India with over 85000 cows being sheltered in the small town of Pathmeda in southern Rajasthan.[12]

Government grants[edit | edit source]

Since the BJP government came into power in India in 2014, India has spent 5.8 billion (US$81 million) on cow shelters in between the years 2014 and 2016.[1]

To prevent unproductive cows being sent to the abattoir, the government started the Rashtriya Gokul Mission in mid-2014, a national program that involves constructing havens for retired cows. Proceeds from the animals' bodily waste are intended to pay for their upkeep. In May 2016, the Indian national government held an inaugural national conference on goshalas. The Niti Ayog is working on developing a roadmap for Gaushala economy to develop commercial use of cow urine and cow dung for various purposes.[13]

Other sources of income[edit | edit source]

Cow dung cakes plastered over the wall for drying in Varanasi.

Donations are the only source of income for the Goshala. Some goshalas offer yoga and music lessons for additional income.[14][better source needed]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Cow urine can sell for more than milk in India". Bloomberg.com. 2016-07-18. Retrieved 2016-09-18.
  2. "300 cattle head for goshala everyday". The Times of India. 2011-08-17. Archived from the original on 2013-11-10. Retrieved 2013-02-06.
  3. Rastogi, Nawal Kishore (2002-04-27). "In stoic silence, historical tanks of Rewari await tourists". Tribune India. Retrieved 2014-01-06.
  4. Satish Chandra Mittal (1986). Haryana, a Historical Perspective. Atlantic Publishers & Distri. pp. 4–. GGKEY:WZ4ZX97B5N2.
  5. https://books.google.com/books?id=TOFFAQAAIAAJ&q=rewari+first+gaushala
  6. https://books.google.com/books?id=iUFalxUFFWkC&dq=dayanand+gaushala+first&pg=PA128
  7. Rastogi, Nawal Kishore (2013-04-05). "Interesting relationship between Swami Dayanand Saraswati and India's first Gaushala". Dainik Bhaskar. Retrieved 2014-01-06.
  8. https://www.amarujala.com/haryana/rewari/the-foundation-of-the-first-gaushala-was-laidon-the-shore-of-nand-sarovar-rewari-news-rtk542918986
  9. The Making of an Indian Metropolis, Colonial governance and public culture in Bombay, 1890/1920, Prashant Kidambi, p. 176, ISBN 978-0-7546-5612-8.
  10. Vishnu's crowded temple, India since the great rebellion, pp. 67-69, Maria Misra, 2008, Yale University Press, ISBN 978-0-300-13721-7.
  11. "Report of the National Commission on Cattle - Chapter I (10. Beginning of mass protests against cow-killings)". Dahd.nic.in. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 10 November 2013. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  12. Gupta, Abhinav (2016-04-13). "Shri Pathmeda Godham Mahatirth: World's largest cowshed". www.indiatvnews.com. Retrieved 2022-02-08.
  13. Sharma, Yogima Seth. "Niti Aayog working on road map to develop Gaushala economy". The Economic Times. Retrieved 2022-02-08.
  14. "Shri Shaktidarshan Yogashram". Retrieved 2021-03-01.

External links[edit | edit source]