The responsibility of running India’s most populous state won’t keep Yogi Adityanath away from his ‘favourite’ cows as many of them will soon be shifted to his residence in Lucknow.
‘Gauseva’ (service of cows) has been a part of UP CM Yogi Aditynath’s routine for several years during which he has developed a bond of affection with many of them, especially with his ‘favourite’ one – Nandini.
“In the cow shelter at the Gorakhnath Temple there are close to 460 cows and calves. Whenever, Yogi is in Gorakhpur, he feeds the calves with milk, roti and jaggery. After which he feeds the cows,” said Swami Vidya Chaitanya Maharaj of Naimisharanya Ashram.
With Yogi Adityanath moving to Lucknow, some of his favourite cows would also soon be brought to his official residence at 5 Kalidas Marg, he added.
The Gorakhpur cow shelter has reportedly the best breeds of cows including Gujarati, Sehwal, Desi and Gir, which produce over a hundred litres of milk a day.
This milk is used for making ‘mattha’ which is distributed as ‘prasad’ among those visiting the Gorakhnath Temple, he said.
Known for his austere lifestyle, Yogi Adityanath has followed a strict daily regime. He gets up at 3 AM and practices Yoga between 4 to 5 AM. After this, he offers prayers and then head to the cow shelter to serve them.
It was only after these chores were over, that he would head to his office as the head priest and Gorakhpur MP to listen to the grievances of the public, Chaitanya Maharaj added.
Meanwhile, Adtiyanath, directed police officers to prepare an action plan to shut down slaughterhouses. He has also ordered a blanket ban on cattle smuggling and said there must be “zero tolerance” in such cases.
