The Endowments Minister C.Ramachandraiah promised that a committee will be appointed to look after the Cows and Calves in the care of Simhachalam Temple.

As the heat is at higher degrees and as the concentration of the Temple authorities was on Chandanotsavam and other temple programs as per Agama Sasthra, the cows were not taken good care that resulted in the death of 150 cows and 20 calves which was objected by Viswa Hindu Parishat.

The Minister says that the care taking of the cows is not part of the temple's responsibilities. But it is being taken up on humanitarian grounds. One way it is right. Temples should focus on the rituals and arrangements for the devotees.

As a custom prevailing there, villagers bring calves and present to the temple. Either the temple authorities should take proper care or they should refuse to accept the calf gifts from the devotees. But telling now, after the incident came out, that it is not their job to look after the cattle is not the right statement to make in any standards. TTD is maintaining Goshala although the cows are not given away by the devotees as a custom to TTD.

Cows kept and taken care of as the very presence of a cow is believed to make a place sacred. Hindus respect not only cow's milk but also urine and dung of a cow. All these three are used to make a devotional place fit for performing pooja in addition to cow's ghee for lighting at the deity's idol. As such cow is not out of place at a place of devotion.

Ramachandraiah assured that a committee will take care of the cows and if any voluntary organization comes forward, the temple authorities will hand over the cattle to their care.

(AW-SriJa)