Hyderabad’s barefoot cow protector started Gau Nivas celebrates 25 years

Satyam Shivam Sundaram Gau Nivas in Hyderabad marked 25 years with rituals, food offerings, and music. Founder Dharamraj Ranka, 85, continues cow protection efforts, linking spiritual service with environmental awareness and humane care.

Hyderabad: Satyam Shivam Sundaram Gau Nivas, a cow shelter in Gaganpahad, celebrated its 25th anniversary with a day-long event featuring rituals, food offerings, dance, and devotional music.

Founded by 85-year-old Dharamraj Ranka, the Gaushala houses over 6,000 cattle and is known for its clean upkeep and humane care. Ranka, who gave up footwear 25 years ago, still travels barefoot in an auto-rickshaw to invite people to cow service events.

---

The celebration included a Chandi Havanam, Annakut Prasadam distribution, a Kathak performance, and bhajans by well-known artists. Ranka emphasized the link between nature worship and climate awareness, calling it a “Global Warning.”

The Gaushala also runs a veterinary hospital near Shamshabad, capable of treating 40,000 cattle annually.

Thousands attended the event, which blended tradition, service, and environmental concern.