Of all creatures, the cow is given a special place in Hindu Indian religious tradition: ‘I speak to those who are aware: do not harm the cow, for in so doing, you are harming the earth and the whole of humanity.’ Rig Veda 8.101.15 Despite the veneration bestowed on the cow, there is no formal worship of a ‘cow-goddess’ in Hindu temples. Rather the cow is respected in her own right as one of humankind’s…
Continue readingAncient peoples linked cattle, fertility and abundance. This was reflected in their spiritual practices, and in many parts of the world people worshipped a Cow Goddess or a goddess who protected cows. Hathor, the Egyptian Goddess, was known as the gentle cow of heaven. She was said to give a plentiful supply of milk to the baby Pharaoh thus making him into a divine being. She was depicted as the winged cow of creation who…
Continue readingThe Ahimsa Dairy Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to providing organic milk from cows who will never face slaughter. Instead when their milking days are over they are retired to a sanctuary where they can spend the rest of their days relaxing in the fields until they pass away naturally. Ahimsa cows only have a calf every two years. They are generally served by one of three bulls and the Foundation welcomes both male…
Continue readingThe Ahimsa Dairy’s Welsh sanctuary is a truly magical place. It is close to the sea and lies in rolling, green hills and has a lake full of water-lilies. It is here that all of our retired cows go when their milking days are over and where they will spend the rest of their years chewing the cud and relaxing in the fields. At the sanctuary the cows join our young bulls, who have been…
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