Cow in Temple Udaipur Rajasthan India

Cow in Temple Udaipur Rajasthan India. ... more

by Sue Jacobi

Title

Cow in Temple Udaipur Rajasthan India

Artist

Sue Jacobi

Medium

Photograph - Fine Art Photography

Description

Cow in Temple Udaipur Rajasthan India.
I saw this gentle cow relaxing in the afternoon heat, inside the compound of a temple on the shores of Lake Pichola in Udaipur, Rajasthan, India. The door in the picture leads to an annexe unit to the temple, which serves as a storage area for the priests.
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.
Udaipur is called the White City, as most of the buildings and houses are white in color (as compared to Jaipur, the Pink City, Jodhpur, the Blue City, and Jaisalmer, the Golden City). Udaipur is also known as Sun City as the people of Udaipur worship the sun. They are called Suryavanshis, or Sun Worshippers. Some other people of Rajasthan State worship the moon instead, and they are called Chandravanshis. So Udaipur has plenty of decorative Sun murals and images all over the city. Also plenty of paintings, art and murals depicting colorful Peacocks.
IF YOU LIKE MY ART, I would be grateful it if you would take a moment to share it by tweeting, google+, facebook - also liking & favorite. This enables my art and photography to be found on Google, FAA and other internet searches. I hope you enjoyed your visit! Please return often as I upload fresh artwork daily! Thank you for your time!

AWARDS & RECOGNITION
This image has been featured in these 25 Fine Art America groups:

- Special Feature as Best of Minimalism Pick of the Day, in Minimalism in Photography Group (Dec 17, 2014):
- Urban Look & Feel,
- The World we See,
- Cityscapes Skylines & Landmarks,
- Backyard Photography,
- Nature's Wonders,
- Promote Your Travel Artwork,
- Doors & Windows Photography,
- Wisconsin Flowers & Scenery,
- Appreciating Works From All Mediums,
- Images That Excite You,
- Amateur Photographers,
- Artists Best Five Artworks - ABFA,
- I Wish I Was There,
- Crazy Abstract,
- Beauty,
- WHAT question mark,
- Pets,
- In the Mood,
- Collectors Gallery,
- Nature Landmarks Landscapes Wildlife,
- Pleasing the Eye,
- Memories & Nostalgia,
- Our 4-Legged Friends,
- Balcony Window and Doors Photography

Urban Look & Feel, The World we See, Cityscapes Skylines & Landmarks, Backyard Photography, Nature's Wonders, Promote Your Travel Artwork, Doors & Windows Photography, Wisconsin Flowers & Scenery, Appreciating Works From All Mediums, Images That Excite You, Amateur Photographers, Artists Best Five Artworks - ABFA, I Wish I Was There, Crazy Abstract, Beauty, WHAT question mark, Pets, In the Mood, Collectors Gallery, Nature Landmarks Landscapes Wildlife, Pleasing the Eye, Memories & Nostalgia, Our 4-Legged Friends, Balcony Window and Doors Photography
Context: cow,sacred,holy,animal,cattle,sacred cow,holy cow,worship,hindus,hindu religion,temple,God,Udaipur,Rajasthan,India,city,Udaipur lake,lake,Taj,Octopussy, dynasty,Sisodia,Maharana Udai Singh,clan,Mewar,Rajputana Agency,Rajputana , ,island,venice of the east,venice,Sue Jacobi,Suejacobi

Uploaded

December 3rd, 2014