Indian cow breeds

India is blessed with diverse races of indigenous desi cow breeds with 37 existing breeds – many are extinct and few endangered. Our desi breeds like Gir, Sahiwal, Rathi, Kankrej, Tharparkar are known for their high milk giving copabilities. breeds like the Hallikar, native to the hot and arid climate of North Karnataka, Tharparkar breed of Rajasthan, etc. are known for their heat resistant and sustainability during the long and hot summer season. These cow breeds are capable of producing moderate quantities of milk even under the scarcity of food. The existing breeds of Indian cow present a wide range of food habits, size, color, milk production, disease résistance and climatic conditions coming from different parts of India. Click here to See all the varieties of Indian cow breeds.

Indian sacred cow breeds

The Cow has got a revered status in every tradition and cultures of India since ancient time. The Indian cow breeds are referred as Kamadhenu, Goumatha, etc., and worshipped as Goddess as treated with equal respect and reverence to Mother by people of India across the cultures. Ongole, Gir, Sahiwal, Haryanvi,  Kankrej, Red Sindhi, Rathi, Lalkandhari, Gangatiri, Hallikar, Ponwar, Nimari, Golao, Vechur, and Deoni represent the top Indian holy cow breeds. The cow is considered as the symbol of selfless giving. All the Hindu spiritual texts advocate treating the cows as family members and rearing them in hygiene and healthy environment. That is why cow slaughter is forbidden in Hinduism. The happiness and well-being of the cow symbolized the prosperity of the family in Indian society across all cultures. 

The Science behind Indian Sacred Cow

The holiness of Indian cows is well accepted among the Hindus, but often questioned or ridiculed by many in the society including Hindus! This tendency is rooted in the so-called forward thinking and pseudo secularism. Whatever be the views of these sects of people, today there is enough scientific proof to support the unique and incomparable benefits of the products of  Indian cow breeds like the milk, urine etc.

Much research has been taken place in India and abroad regarding the milk proteins of Indian cow breeds and those of other cow breeds.  All studies have endorsed the presence of the A2 type of beta-casein in the milk of all Indian cow breeds. The A2 type milk is far superior to the A1 type of milk in terms of human health. A2 milk has several micronutrients like cytokines, minerals etc., which boost the body defense mechanism of human beings.   The curative properties of cow urine for far and wide ailments ranging from chronic to life-threatening diseases like diabetes, cancer, and AIDS has been proved scientifically. Presence of essential amino acids, minerals, and vitamins in cow urine is also an established fact now.

In addition to human health, the contribution of cow urine and dung as fertilizers to plants deserves special mention. The age oil use of cow manure for farming has given healthy and nutritious food products to mankind.  These findings provide solid evidence for the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical properties identified with the milk, milk products urine, dung and used for centuries in Ayurveda. Hope, the society will awake and accept the superiority of Indian cow breeds and extend due respect to its sacred status!