Donated Cow, Calf Pair Missing From Dwaraka Tirumala Temple

Finally, he has appealed to the Dwaraka Tirumala executive officer to show him or let him know about the whereabouts of his cow and calf.

According to sources, Annavaram and his wife had donated a cow and calf to the temple, hoping that Abhishekam will be performed with that cow’s milk to the deity of the famous temple. The couple also paid ₹10,000 to the temple towards grass for feeding the cow and the calf.

“Previously, we donated ₹50,000 for Annadanam. Last year, we donated an Ongole breed cow with a two-month-old calf to the temple. When I went to Goshala one month ago, I could see the cow and calf. As per the suggestion of temple authorities, I approached the veterinary doctor, who is in-charge of Goshala, and other staff of the departments concerned. After dillydallying, they at last told me that a farmer of Nayakampalli, who is taking up natural farming, has adopted the cow and calf. When I contacted the farmer, he said the cow and calf are safe and the cow has given birth to another calf recently. Hearing this, I went to Nayakampalli village to see the cow and her two calves. There, the farmer told me that the cow and calf have been stolen,” Annavaram told Deccan Chronicle.

He expressed his doubts with regard to the entire sequence of happenings.

When contacted, Dwaraka Tirumala Temple executive officer (EO) N.V.S.N. Murthy clarified that when Annavaram complained, they verified records related to the cow and calf. He maintained that the temple possesses the right to give cows in adoption to farmers who own land. The EO said they collect all necessary documents from farmers who want to adopt the temple cows.

With regard to the cow and calf that Annavaram had donated, Murthy maintained that the farmer who received the cow and calf had lodged a complaint with police about them having been stolen.

Staff of the shrine said Dwaraka Tirumala Temple has so far given 7,000 cows to farmers for adoption. They have received no complaint with regard to other cows so far.