New Goshalla at ISKCON Baroda

By Basu Ghosh Das ACBSP (Baroda – IN)

Here at ISKCON Baroda, the final stages of the completion of a new goshalla is underway here at Hare Krishna Land.

The new goshalla is located on the Northern border of Hare Krishna land, towards the “backside” of the property, where the grand temple of Sri Sri Radha Shyamsundar is located on the Eastern side, facing a large, divided road.

This newly constructed goshalla is major upgrade over the previous, temporary structure, and there is accommodation space for 32 large animals.

The new structure employs a steel beam support for a corrugated tin roof. The flooring was made with “RCC” – reinforced concrete, to prevent quick cracking and to add extra strength to it.

There’s a passage way in the middle of the two accommodation areas, and a storage area as well. The plan also calls for a tiled area on the outside on two sides of the goshalla and an open, external “rest area” for the cows to be able to move freely in during non-milking hours during the day, except of course during the rainy/monsoon season, on the third side. The Northern side of the goshalla lies just inside the boundry of the temple property.

The cows at ISKCON Baroda are all of “Gir” stock. The “Gir” breed of cattle is found at Saurastra, the area of Gujarat State where Lord Krishna resided at Dwaraka Dham, during his manifest lila, 5,000 years ago! These cows have a very distinctive appearance and distinctive features, as can be see in photo accompanying this article. All “Gir” cattle are either “red” in color or “red & white” mixed. The “red” color is actually a light brown shade. Gir cows are renowned for their milk, but the Gir bulls are widely used for agriculture throughout Gujarat.

ISKCON Baroda wishes to place on record it’s gratitude and appreciation for the main donor to the goshalla, who wishes to remain anonymous, as well as to several other goshallas donors. The cost of constructing the goshalla was more than a million rupees! We pray to Sri Sri Radha Shyamsundar to bless them all! We invite the readers to visit Hare Krishna Land, Baroda, and have darshan of Lord Krishna’s cows!