Gau Danam - ISKCON Nellore

ISKCON Nellore maintains the Sri Krishna Balram Goshala. This Gaushala-dedicated cow shelter aligned with traditional Vedic values. You can serve nourishment, shelter, medical attention, and respectful interaction to a cow. It is revered as a sacred act. It is believed even to invoke the presence of Krishna in the cows themselves, as described in the Shrimad Bhagvatam. The primary mission of the goshala includes:

• Promoting respect and affection for cows, who are seen as spiritual and motherly creatures.
• Advancing the social movement of cow protection.
• Protecting them from harm and disregard.
• Provide clean housing, frequent veterinary treatment, and free feeding to ensure their well-being.

At this goshala, performing Gau Danam (cow contribution or service to cows) has great spiritual importance because it is seen as a selfless, pure act that produces profound merit (punya), relieves karmic debts, and promotes the preservation of dharmic tradition. Devotees and cows alike gain spiritually and morally from this useful seva.

At ISKCON Nellore, Gau Danam puja starts with a purifying achamana and sankalpam, during which the devotee makes a mental commitment to serve or give the cow with devotion. After giving the cow a wash (abhishekam) with water, turmeric, and occasionally milk, she is decorated with flowers, kumkum, haldi, and a fresh cloth. While reciting the mantras of Go Mata and Sri Krishna, incense (dhoop) is presented and a sacred light (deepa) is lit. Favourite things such as green grass, bananas, jaggery, and fodder are subsequently given to the cow. Go-suktam and other protective mantras can be chanted by Vedic priests for the benefit of both the donor and society. The daan, which might be ghee, food, cash, or even a cow itself, is presented humbly after the cow has been circled with its hands folded. Lastly, prasadam is given out, and blessings are obtained by touching the cow's feet. Dharma, compassion, and spiritual elevation are encouraged by this puja.