Tucked away in the hills of Milpitas is a peaceful place where all time seems to stop…
This place is known as Sri Krishna Balaram Goshala, and it’s a cow sanctuary that is home to 16 very happy cows.
This sanctuary – and the land that it is embedded in – is owned by the India Heritage Foundation.
Visitors who come to the sanctuary are not only amazed by its beautiful views, but also by the tranquil and unique experience of spending time with the cows.
Rekha Prodduturi has been associated with the India Heritage Foundation for the past 10 years. She is deeply involved in doing all she can to ensure that the organization thrives; she devotes her time to offering support with teen and youth mentorship, as well as teaching and public relations. She is also Executive Director of one of the foundation’s philanthropic projects, the Sattvic Meals Foundation.
“As part of our culture, the protection of cows is one of our driving goals,” Prodduturi told The Beat in an interview. “We believe the cow is one of our mothers. They give us milk, nutrition, and everything we need. They contribute to raising food and grain.”
When they first opened the cow sanctuary in 2016, it was home to 5 cows. But over the years, the cows, an Indian breed that originally came from Mexico, have multiplied.
All of the cows are well taken care of and able to live naturally, without the threat of slaughter hanging over them. They are treated like family.
There are several caretakers who give their time to caring for the cows each day. Volunteers also come and help out.
“On the weekends, we have a lot more volunteers,” said Ramanama Dasa, the manager of the Goshala. “The volunteers [comb and] massage the cows. They fill the buckets and feed the cows. They also clean and take out the cow dung.”
Meanwhile, there are hours in the mornings and late afternoons slated for visitors to come by and spend time with the cows.
After the morning session ends and the sanctuary closes to visitors, the cows all instinctively follow each other in a single line, going up over the hill to graze for the day. Then at about 4pm, guided by their biological clocks, they always come walking back in time for the resumption of visitors’ hours.
The cow sanctuary is just a small part of roughly 80 acres of property owned by the foundation. The grand vision is to build and develop a brand new temple in the hills, along with a cultural center, orchards, and auditorium.
Currently the foundation has a temple, the Sri Krishna Balaram Mandir, located at 680 E Calaveras, where they maintain a full schedule of events and activities.
“We moved into this space, so that we can be closer to the construction. So we’re here for now, as we’re building the project. Our new temple will be right on top of the hill,” said Vikram Krishna Dasa, the Temple President, in an interview.
The hope is to complete the construction of the new temple in the next several years. They also have plans to build out the cow sanctuary to include 50-75 cows.
“The cows are really loved a lot here. They’re very spoiled,” said Prodduturi with a smile.
All visitors are welcome at the Goshala every day from 10am-11:30am and 4pm-6pm. An appointment is needed for those coming in the morning to visit and help feed the cows.
Visit their website to learn more.
It is such a joy to hear about this place! America needs to change its attitude toward cows. Perhaps foundations like this can inspire people here to make that change.
I’m hungry .cook some steaks
I like the idea of the cow sanctuary . But I’m not too keen on this new temple project .
Rhoda,
Good information, as always your reporting and research are well done.