04:29Divine love: Gurgaon locals hug sacred cows for Valentine’s Day despite rebrand ridicule from media outlets
Locals in Gurgaon celebrated Valentine’s Day by hugging cows on Tuesday, following a rebrand of the celebration - even after the Animal Welfare Board attempted to backtrack on its plans, following ridicule in the country’s media.
"Today I have come here to express my love for the cows. Cows are our mothers, people are forgetting this. I feel very good coming here today worshipping the cows, feeding them, and hugging them," said visitor and retired teacher Kavitha Sharma.
Footage shows the 'gaushala', or shelter for stray cows, with visitors seen decorating the animals with flowers and preparing their meals at the 'havan', a fire ritual that also included special prayers for the welfare and health of the cows.
"Today is 14th February and it is a very special day and we have made it very well. Since morning preparations are going on for the celebrations and everything from pooja to delicious food all are ready and people are coming and hugging the cows, worshipping them, and spending time with the cows," said supervisor Sharvesh Kumar.
While cows are sacred in Hindu tradition, the Board’s announcement on Monday that February 14 would be 'cow hug day' appeared to backfire. Media outlets extensively satirised the change, with jokes, sketches and cartoons of cows running away from those attempting to hug them.
04:29Locals in Gurgaon celebrated Valentine’s Day by hugging cows on Tuesday, following a rebrand of the celebration - even after the Animal Welfare Board attempted to backtrack on its plans, following ridicule in the country’s media.
"Today I have come here to express my love for the cows. Cows are our mothers, people are forgetting this. I feel very good coming here today worshipping the cows, feeding them, and hugging them," said visitor and retired teacher Kavitha Sharma.
Footage shows the 'gaushala', or shelter for stray cows, with visitors seen decorating the animals with flowers and preparing their meals at the 'havan', a fire ritual that also included special prayers for the welfare and health of the cows.
"Today is 14th February and it is a very special day and we have made it very well. Since morning preparations are going on for the celebrations and everything from pooja to delicious food all are ready and people are coming and hugging the cows, worshipping them, and spending time with the cows," said supervisor Sharvesh Kumar.
While cows are sacred in Hindu tradition, the Board’s announcement on Monday that February 14 would be 'cow hug day' appeared to backfire. Media outlets extensively satirised the change, with jokes, sketches and cartoons of cows running away from those attempting to hug them.