Sacred Cattle of Pashupatinath Temple
At Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal, cattle roam freely as sacred beings protected by Hindu tradition. These animals embody the divine cow goddess Kamadhenu and are integral to temple rituals and cosmology.
The Sacred Status of Cattle in Hinduism
- Gau Mata: Cows are revered as mother figures in Hinduism
- Kamadhenu: The divine wish-fulfilling cow of Hindu mythology
- Five Products (Panchagavya): Milk, curd, ghee, urine, and dung used in purification rituals
- Vedic Origins: References in Rigveda (1500-1200 BCE) to cows as sacred
- Non-violence (Ahimsa): Protection of cows embodies Hindu principle of non-harm
Pashupatinath's Sacred Cattle
| Aspect |
Description |
Religious Significance |
| Daily Care |
Fed by devotees and temple priests |
Considered meritorious act (punya) |
| Temple Grounds |
Allowed to roam freely in complex |
Represent Shiva's connection to nature |
| Festivals |
Decorated during Gai Jatra and other festivals |
Symbolic connection to departed souls |
| Protection |
Never harmed or removed from premises |
Embodiment of non-violence principle |
Mythological Connections
- Nandi: Lord Shiva's bull vahana (vehicle) guards Pashupatinath
- Kamadhenu: Divine cow believed to manifest in temple cattle
- Prithvi: Earth goddess often depicted as a cow in Hindu art
- Vrishabha: Shiva's bovine form connecting to fertility and strength
Rituals Involving Cattle at Pashupatinath
Gau Puja (Cow Worship)
- Performed every Monday (Shiva's day)
- Devotees offer grass, flowers and fruits to cows
- Circumambulation (parikrama) around sacred cows
- Believed to remove obstacles and bring prosperity
Panchagavya Purification
- Uses five cow products in temple rituals
- Administered to devotees for spiritual cleansing
- Used in consecration ceremonies (prana pratishtha)
- Believed to have medicinal and spiritual properties
Legal Protection of Temple Cattle
| Protection |
Details |
Penalties |
| Nepal Constitution |
Article 26(3) protects cows as national animal |
12 years imprisonment for slaughter |
| Temple Rules |
No harm or removal of cattle from premises |
Religious and social ostracization |
| Local Ordinances |
Special protection zones around temple |
Fines up to NPR 50,000 |
Festivals Honoring Cattle at Pashupatinath
| Festival |
When |
Practices |
| Gai Jatra |
July/August |
Cows paraded to help departed souls, decorated cattle |
| Laxmi Puja |
October/November |
Cows worshipped as forms of goddess Laxmi |
| Maha Shivaratri |
February/March |
Special offerings to Nandi and temple cattle |
Symbolic Meanings
- Fertility: Cows represent abundant life and nourishment
- Purity: Considered spiritually clean animals
- Dharma: Embodiment of righteous living
- Non-duality: Unity between human and divine realms
- Sustainability: Traditional Hindu ecological wisdom
Visitor Guidelines
- Do not disturb or attempt to ride the cattle
- Photography is permitted but maintain respectful distance
- Participate in feeding only with temple-approved materials
- Remove shoes when near cattle resting areas
- Consult priests before any ritual participation
Modern Conservation Efforts
- Temple-run gaushala (cow shelter) for elderly cattle
- Ayurvedic veterinary care using traditional methods
- Community volunteer programs for cattle care
- Educational programs about bovine sanctity