Holy Cows in Jaisalmer Fort Rajasthan India Photograph by Sue Jacobi

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Holy Cows in Jaisalmer Fort Rajasthan India

by Sue Jacobi

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Title

Holy Cows in Jaisalmer Fort Rajasthan India

Artist

Sue Jacobi

Medium

Photograph - Fine Art Photography

Description

Holy Cows in Jaisalmer Fort Rajasthan India
I saw these two gentle cows relaxing in the afternoon heat, in the compound of Jaisalmer Fort in Rajasthan, India. The white cow seems fascinated by something above her, and is even waving her tail frantically in the air to express her excitement :)
In the religion of Hinduism, the cow is thought to be sacred, or very holy. Most Hindus respect the cow for her gentle nature which represents the main teaching of Hinduism, non-violence (ahimsa). The cow also represents strength . It has become commonplace for some people to ridicule Hindus by saying that they worship cows. However, Hindus don't worship cows, they simply respect them like any other animal as they believe all life has a soul in which God resides. Thus killing a cow would be - in a way - a crime. The cow is very honored in society, and most Hindus do not eat beef (the meat that comes from cows). By honoring this gentle animal (living thing, that is, not a plant) that gives more than it takes, Hindus honor all creatures. The cow was possibly revered because Hindus relied heavily on it for dairy products and for tilling the fields, and on cow dung as a source of fuel and fertilizer. Thus, the cow�s status as a 'caretaker' led to identifying it as an almost maternal figure (hence the term gau mata). In the olden days, owning cattle being a luxury limited to select few fortunate folks, the cows enjoyed the status that gold or money enjoys today. In addition, it has been suggested by author and orator Terence McKenna that religious reverence for the cow is a result of early humankind's association of psilocybin mushroom with it, this association having developed as a result of the discovery of said mushrooms in the animal's excrement.
It is evidently known that the cow was sacred and forbidden in the Hindu diet as was all slaughter and violence for food, from ancient Vedic times. Therefore, reverence for cows can be found in all the religion's major texts.
The cow gives milk and cream, yogurt and cheese, butter and ice cream, ghee and buttermilk. The milk of a cow is believed to refine a person. The ghee (clarified butter) from the milk is used in ceremonies and in preparing religious food. Cow dung is used as fertilizer, as a fuel and as a disinfectant in homes. Modern science states that the smoke from cow dung is a powerful disinfectant and is good against pollution. The cow's urine is also used for religious ceremonies as well as for medical reasons.
To the Hindu, the cow represents all other creatures. Hindus believe that all living creatures are sacred - mammals, fishes, birds. The cow is more, a symbol of the Earth. It always gives and feeds, representing life and the support of life. Honoring the cow inspires in people the virtues of gentleness and connectedness with nature. The cow takes nothing but water, grass and grain, while it gives of its milk, as does the liberated soul give of his spiritual knowledge.
In the Hindu tradition, the cow is honored, garlanded and given special feedings at festivals all over India, most importantly the annual Gopashtama festival. Its nature is represented in Kamadhenu, the divine, wish-fulfilling cow. In India, more than 3,000 institutions called Gaushalas care for old and infirm cows. The gift of a cow is applauded as the highest kind of gift. Equally also it is the National animal of Nepal.
Situated in Rajasthan, India, Jaisalmer Fort Complex is one of the largest fortifications in the world. It is situated in the city of Jaisalmer, in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It is a World Heritage Site. More about this fabulous fort below, but... what impressed me most, is the fact that ... Although at one point the entire population of Jaisalmer lived within the fort, today it still has a resident population of about 4,000 people!! They are largely from the Brahmin and Daroga communities. They are mostly descendants of the workforce of the Bhati rulers of Jaisalmer which was permitted to reside within the fort's premises. With an increase in population, people gradually relocated to the foot of the Trikuta Hill and the town of Jaisalmer spread out from the fort.
The Fort of Jaisalmer was built in 1156 AD by the Rajput ruler Rawal Jaisal (whose son was Shalivahan II. Manj & Bhati Rajputs are the descendants of him.), from whom it derives it name. The fort stands proudly amidst the golden stretches of the great Thar Desert, on Trikuta Hill, and has been the scene of many battles. Its massive yellow sandstone walls are a tawny lion colour during the day, fading to honey-gold as the sun sets, thereby camouflaging the fort in the yellow desert. For this reason, it is also known as the Sonar Quila or Golden Fort. The fort is located in the very heart the city, and is one of the most notable monuments in the locality.
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