Bhagirathi Dham

Bhagirathi Dham is the abode of Bansi Baba where he lives with his Guru and other monks dedicated to the spiritual path. It is a beautiful white temple ashram sitting on the banks of the River Ganges in Rishikesh.

Daily worship and pujas are performed here and spiritual devotees are welcomed for the festivities of the Hindu religous calender.

Along side the ashram Bhagirathi Dham is also a charitable trust managing a Goshala. They look after over 2000 cows that live in Rishikesh and Haridwar.

Goshala’s are protective shelters for cows in India. They focus on treating cows well out of their religious significance in Hinduism and consequent cultural sensitivity towards their welfare.

Bansi Baba teachers students of music for the benefit of this charity, principly for the welfare of Indian cows. Proceeds and earnings from music lessons are dedicated to these cows. We kindly offer you the ability to also contribute to the Bhagirathi Dham Goshala by making a donation.

Why are Cows Sacred?

The cow has long been classified as a significant and sacred being in Hinduism. The ancient texts state that the consciousness of the cow is so pure and so high that any wish or promise offering made to the consciousness of a cow will be answered. The existence of there consciousness has a balancing and harmonising effect on the eco-system of the planet.

Srila Prabhupada, the founder of the Hari Krishna movement, had often emphasized cow care, teaching us that the society will flourish if cows and brahmanas are taken care of properly. It has been said that protection of cows is the single-most important principle towards saving the whole world from both moral and spiritual degradation.

The cow is one of the seven mothers, for she nourishes us with her milk, the miracle of aggregate food values, and other milk products. Many mothers who cannot nurse their babies, turn to cow’s milk. In the same way as a father supplies food for the family, the bull is meant to help in the production of grains and vegetables by plowing the fields.

Cows are so devoted to their calfs, they are the very epitome of motherly love. Even seeing their young causes their teats to start dripping with milk before the calf has even come close to feed. Do you not think that just a tiny bit of that love is passed on through the milk? Cows milk is over flowing with that love and that is part of the real reason cows and their milk is so sacred in India. Milk and ghee are important parts of ritual worship for such a long time. All animals and living beings should be treated with love and respect and allowed to live a peaceful and happy life with no violence towards them.

For those interested in spiritual and devotional advancement, milk is said to be religious principles in liquid form. In the Mahabharata it is written:

“Oh Bharata, nothing is rare for a devotee of the cow. Whatever such devotees desire, they achieve. A lady who is devoted to the cow can have her desires fulfilled by the cow’s mercy. One who desires a son or a daughter, who desires wealth, one who desires piety, or knowledge — all can get their desires fulfilled by the mercy of the cow.”

Benefits of Cow Products

Ayurveda holds cow products in very high regards, with many benefits for human health.

Milk
Contains every nutrient that is required for the growth of the human body; increases the physical, mental, and spiritual power of the human being; a complete food, it slows down the aging process and increases intelligence and strength; regulates and increases the duration of life.

Yogurt
Gives strength to the body; makes food tasty, nourishing and pure; stimulates the body; removes gas; increases intelligence; cures piles and stomach ailments.

Butter
Beneficial, makes one fair, shiny, and bright; cures tuberculosis, piles, and coughing; especially essential for children.

Ghee
Gives a shining complexion; enhances memory; increases strength; nourishes body; regulates air and mucus imbalance; removes tiredness; destroys bile; cures heart disease; increases fire in stomach.

Cow urine
Stops gas disorders; cures all ailments born from mucus, bile, and gas; helps with acidity, stomach disease, and more; removes leprosy and other skin diseases.

Cow dung
Purifying, antiseptic agent; stops gas disorders; pesticide and fertilizer; in India, dried dung is used like charcoal; it is also a form of energy producing methane gas.