Annakut Mahotsav at city's largest goshala

Gaganpahad: South India's biggest Goshala (cow shelter), Satyam Shivam Sundaram Gau Nivas organised 'Annakut' celebrations at Peddammagadda on Sunday. Located in three-acres of land, it is home to about 5, 300 cows which have been rescued from slaughter-houses.

Dharam Raj Ranka, 80, a jeweler-turned-philanthropist has dedicated his life to the cause of cow protection. He is the pioneer of goshala concept in twin cities and has been instrumental in setting up several shalas. Earlier he spearheaded the movement against slaughter houses such as Al-Kabeer.

Dharam Raj Ranka said that although the literal meaning of 'Annakut' is 'Mountain of Food,' it symbolises an offering of food to God. 'Annakut Mahostav,' a half-yearly affair attracted a gathering of around 50,000 cow lovers. A bhajan programme by Asha Vaishnavi from Ahmedabad stood as a highlight of the programme.

Employing about 300 workers, the goshala offers about 40 tonnes of Kutti and 120 tonnes of green grass every day to the animals sheltered at the SSS Gau Nivas. The monthly fodder bill alone runs into a few lakhs, which is being contributed by philanthropists.

To take care of these 5300 animals' health, a veterinary hospital is housed at the cow shelter. No cow is milked, nor any business is done with their milk. The total milk is left to the babies of the cow, thus maintaining zero infant mortality rates, added Ranka.