Cow Dung and Ghee can fight pollution – Agnihotra Practitioners

Institute for Studies in Vedic Sciences believes that the ancient Vedic Practice of Agnihotra can fight global warming and reduce pollution. The Vedic practice of Agnihotra involves burning of cow dung along with ghee and rice in a copper altar at sunrise and sunset while chanting specific mantras. The fumes that rise from this burning contain chemicals that absorb pollution and kill harmful bacteria. On March 12, 2009, the members of the institute are celebrating World Agnihotra Day.

Aditya Paul writes about Agnihotra in Expressindia.com

To most rational and critical minds, the first question is how can burning cow dung help the environment?

Dr Rajanvale answers, “Our institute scientifically researched the theory and I must admit though we are convinced of the effects, we don’t really understand the reasons. For example, we conducted an experiment at a junction in Pune in which we took air samples on a day without doing a morning and evening Agnihotra and a day after doing the Agnihotra. We noticed reduced levels of air pollution.”

“In the case of killing germs, burning of ghee and dung is known to give out formaldehyde which is known to kill pathogenic bacteria. Along with this, the ashes have cured skin problems by application in experiments in the hospital we have in Shivpuri, Solapur, where we are based,” adds Rajanvale.

Rajanvale further states, “We are actively conducting research into the concept and don’t ask people to blindly believe but to see the evidence we come up with.”

“This method of cleansing the air and the environment is popular amongst the younger generation,” says Shilpa Polekar who runs a center where she supplies people with the materials necessary for Agnihotra called White Flower in Dadar. “Around 130 families in my area practise this and most of them are young nuclear families. I have also noticed that this practice is more common abroad than in India,” she adds