Offering worship to cows on Maattu Pongal day has been an annual practice of the members of the Jain community in the city. They eagerly await the celebrations which give them the opportunity to perform special pujas with their family members.
What is significant about the celebration is that all these animals are rescued ones saved from slaughter houses by Pinjirapole Trust – a body run by the community for rescued animals. “We purchase these animals and treat them with care,” said Chandanmal Kochar, president of the trust. The trust had purchased 150 aged cows and bulls from different slaughter houses across the district.
Keeping with the spirit of the festival, the animals were bathed before being decorated with garlands in the morning on Friday. Men, women, and children offered fruits and pongal to them.
“The festival has been an important occasion for us when we all assemble to ensure the animals were properly looked after at the Pasu Madam, as part of jeeva karunyam or ahimsa principle,” said P.Dinesh, one of the trustees.
A group of donors sponsor the expenditure of proper upkeep and maintenance of the cows and bulls, and the trust had employed eight workers to look after the animals, said I.M.Lal, secretary of the trust.
The trust has planned to accept stray cows or bulls to give them shelter, and those unable to feed these animals could contact Mr.Dinesh at 94436-25241.
