Nearly 200 villagers turned up for the memorial service of Gangothri, the temple cow which died from an insect bite, on December 9, in Kotamarthi village here.
It was found dead in the fields in the morning, and the villagers with generous fund-raising gave a tearful adieu to Gangothri the same evening.
“Not even a human would get such response, and farewell,” one devastated temple official said.
The elaborate 9th day ceremony held on Sunday, according to Hindu rites, included the recital of verses from Bhagavad Gita, performing a Shaanti yaga, followed by Annadanam (offering of food).
Expressing their attachment with Gangothri, her sister Lakshmi and their mother Parvathamma — the three cows of Sri Parvathi Ramalingeshwara Swamy temple — speakers recollected how Gangothri used to “enquire” about the villagers’ health and well-being, going door-to-door, like a king on his field trips.
“It visited everyone’s house, and ate what we gave.”
While one speaker sang his composition about the bereavement, another villager, a caretaker of the cows recalled the life stages of Gangothri.
“Not long ago, we celebrated the Seemantham (baby shower) of Parvathamma, then the 21st day (cradle ceremony) of Gangothri, and its naming ceremony. Her absence today saddens us,” he said.
Several children who sat before the flex boards of Gangothri sang relentlessly, and women offered flowers and tributes.
The temple’s main priest, Venkateswarlu, who believed the sacred cow was a manifestation of all gods and goddesses urged everyone to observe two-minute silence to calm Gangothri Gomata’s soul.
An untimely death of their 20-month-old beloved, the villagers believe and pray that Gangothri would come back.
