Daijiworld Media Network - Belagavi (SP)

Belagavi, Nov 7: Muzrai minister Shashikala Jolle has said that the government plans to establish cow shelters attached to temples.

She was speaking after offering puja on behalf of the muzrai department during the auspicious 'Godhooli Lagnam' to a cow and its calf which were decorated with turmeric, vermillion and flowers at the premises of Lord Kapileshwara temple in the city. With this, she initiated thie programme of 'Gau Puja' which was arranged to be offered on Deepavali in notified temples. After her, some other dignitaries too performed Gau Puja on the occasion.

She said that cow shelters are proposed to be opened in A and B category temples in order to avoid sending aging cattle to slaughterhouses after using their milk for so many years. She said that in the coming days, cow shelters will be opened in over 250 temples. She also narrated about the plan to provide health insurance to the families of priests.

She said that Gau Puja was being performed simultaneously in over 35,000 notified temples all over the state. "We have to conserve the cow breeds and hand the baton of preserving them to our next generation. Being a predominantly agricultural country, protecting cows is very much important for us. Cow's milk is as important as that of a mother," she said.

Jolle offered rice, jaggery, banana and sweets to the cow and offered the 'Gau Grasa' as per traditions. She celebrated Bali Padyami by offering puja complete with lamps and scented sticks. Before that the minister offered puja at Kapileshara temple.

MP Mangala Angadi, MLAs Anil Benake and Abhay Patil, deputy commissioner of the district M G Hiremath, additional deputy commissioner Ashok Dudagunti and others were present.