Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam, the official management body
of Tirupati Balaji Temple, manages an organisation by the name Sri Venkateswara
Gosamrakshanashala. It provides shelter and protection to cows. In the process,
TTD provides milk to all its concerned temples, institutions, dining halls and
also butter and ghee to the Srivari Temples.
There is also a scientific institution set up to work on a
better food for the cattle, better hospital availability to enable more milk
and milk production apart from providing animals to help carry the goods to the
temples.
History of Goshala in Tirupati Venkateswara Temple
Around thousand years back, the details regarding the milk
production was detailed in Sri Venkateswara Swami’s records. In those times, the
Chola ruler, Kulottunga Chola–I (1070 to 1122) used them for the daily rituals.
Around 1933 AD, near Govindaraja Swamy Temple, Dakshina Mada
Street, Sri Venkateswara Milk Production
Centre was started.
In 1933 A.D., it was established at Palaraju Thota (P.R.
Gardens), which, as of now, is situated near Kapliateertha route, Tirupati.
This was re-established near Mahati Sabha Mandiram. In 1956, this Goshala was expanded
near Chandragiri route, near Railway Crossing. It was renamed as Sri Venkateswara
Milk Production Centre, which had its primary goal as cow protection.
Sri Venkateswara Gosamrakshanashala
For the TTD temples, Vedic activities, abhishekams, for
making prasadams, only pure cow milk is used. This inspires devotees to be a part
of protection of cows.
In Sri Venkateswara Gosamrakshana shala, there are around 12
breeds of cows, amounting to 2500 cows in number. A decision has been made to
establish a 400-acre ‘Gosamrakshanashala’ at Palamaner.
Many farmers donate their old cattle under ‘Godaana Pathakam’
scheme by name 'vardhana' to take care of their cattle. Such cattle are
protected in sheds, fed proper food and taken care of, until death.
Under the Godanam scheme, the devotees donate healthy cows. Money
donated under Godanam is be utilized to take care of the activities of cows and
other animals used in Tirupati Temple.
The Goshala also provides cows for Gopuja.
During Gokulashtami, which marks the birth of Sri Krishna,
many celebrations are held before Sri Venugopala Swami. On that day, the cattle
are decorated and worshipped.
Milk for Srinivasa Ksheeradaanam ritual is provided devotees
by buying milk from the center.
Sri Venkateswara Gosamrakshana Dharmanidhi Organisation was established in 2002 AD for the protection
of cows.
Apart from cows, the center also takes care of horses,
elephants and bulls donated by devotees.
Source – notes taken from the Saptagiri January 2017 Issue.