Gaushala Project at Ramachandrapura Math

Do you want to see India’s vanishing 37 different cow breeds in one place? Then head to Ramchandrapura Math in Shimoga district, nested in western ghats of India in Karnataka. This place is full of forested area and covered by the backwaters of Linganamakki Dam which is built across Sharavati River. Here you will come across a town called Hosanagara meaning "new town", 6 kms away from this town is Ramchandrapura Math . The Goshala project here is a haven for these pure cattle breeds of both milch and draught variety in India.

The Govt it appears has mismanaged cow breeding at a national level (as per a report by National Commission on Cattle), leading to depleting indigenous variety and low milk yield per animal. Private Gaushala project initiatives like these are keeping the dying tradition alive . 'Amruthadhara’, the unique cattle shed here, shelters the largest variety of native breed cattle in the country and can be truly called a Gokula of ancient India. No wonder it became the epicenter of World Cattle Conference during April 2007 with main emphasis on cow rearing in India

The world of Havyaka Brahmins

We were informed that dinner would be served around 8 p.m and we checked into our modest cottages to refresh after a full day of journey. The food was simple yet tasty, devoid of onions and garlic in true satvik (a diet based on foods that contain one of the three yogic qualities known as sattva) nature of diet followed by Havyak Brahmins.

The next day we got to visit the Goshalas, bang opposite the Ramchandrapura Math complex across what appeared to be a  narrow ravine created by a dry river bed or stream from the sharavathy back waters. Lord Sri Krishna with a flute in hand stood serenely across the other side with rows of cowsheds on either sides of the small temple.  Here we found around 500 cattle some of which are captured in video below, various varieties of indigenous cows being taken care by dedicated staff.   Cow products unit, Gobar Gas Generator, Cattle Feed Sheds etc were all housed in the complex here.

Various indigenous Cow breeds found in Sri Ramachandrapura Mutt Gaushala Hosanagara

Cow breed	Found in	Characteritics
GIR	Saurashtra, Gujarat	A  breed produces that yields high quantity of milk, used extensively to make hybrid varieties, in India and in other countries like Brazil
SAHIWAL	Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana	The cow is identified by its prominent red color. originates from the Sahiwal district of Punjab province in Pakistan
KANKREJ	Bhuj, North Gujarat, Rajasthan	Bullocks are strong and hard-working. Among the largest cattle breeds in India
RED KANDHARI	Marathwada, Maharashtra	Bullocks are good draught animals. Cows are good milkers
NIMARI	Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh	This is a dual purpose milk and draught breed. Animals are copper colored, with patches of white
MALVI	Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan	Bullocks are useful for ploughing. Cows are average milkers.
KHILLARI	Southern Maharashtra	, Northern Karnataka Bullocks are hardy and well-known for being fast in work.
HALLIKAR	Hassan, Mysore, Tunkur districts of Karnataka	Draught breed both used for road and field agricultural operations. Closely related to Amrit Mahal. However, are much thinner and produce low yields of milk
BARAGURU	Coimbatore,	Tamil Nadu Bullocks are good work animals.
KASARGOD	Kerala	known for their excellent milking ability and give mineral rich milk with high feed to milk ratio.
PONGANUR	Andhra Pradesh	breed's milk has a high fat content, is among the world's smallest humped cattle breeds.
MALENADU GIDDA	Coastal and hilly areas of Karnataka	small dwarfish cows, low milk yield varieties

The Ramchandrapura Matha also houses a small counter at the office (video coverage in next blog post) where several excellent cow products (gavya utpanna) are sold.