The long journey that results in Gir Ahinsak Gau Ghee Ghee is considered sacred and potent in ancient Vedic rituals and Ayurveda. The benefits of Ghee for general health and well-being as described in the Shastras (ancient Bharatiya scriptures) are well known to modern day humanity. In the Veda’s, Ghee is described as the “best among all liquids” and it is also mentioned in the Shastra's that, “Ghee is the brilliance of Agni, milk the brilliance of Soma”. However, what is less known or possibly often ignored is the process from which such a beneficial Ghee results, and this process should importantly contain true Gau Seva (service of ‘Cow’ or Gaumata). Rig Veda mentions thus, “We must regard the ‘Cow’ as our own Mother and serve Her to the best of our abilities, keeping her happy in every way”. Atharva Ved also mentions thus, “The ‘Cow’ is Heaven, the ‘Cow’ is Earth, the ‘Cow’ is Vishnu, Lord of Life.” Bansi Gir Gaushala has emerged as a leading center of excellence and a demonstration project for ancient Vedic or paramparic system of Gopalan ('Cow' rearing) as well as Gau-Krishi ('Cow' based agriculture). The Gaushala was awarded the ‘Kamdhenu Award’ and declared the No.1 Gaushala of Bharat in 2017. One of the outcomes of The Gaushala’s dedicated service to the cause of Gaumata ('Cow' as the Divine Mother) is the Gir Ahinsak Gau Ghee. When Gaumatas are looked after as prescribed in the Shastras, they are satisfied, healthy and happy. Their panchgavya products (milk, curd, Ghee, Gomutra, Gomaya) become kalyankari (beneficial) and mangalkari (auspicious). On the other hand, when Gaumatas are not looked after according to Shastras, and our care is insensitive to their needs, they may become unhappy and discontented, and their panchgavya products may contain toxins as well as negative karmic consequences. Hence, Ghee obtained from Gaumatas who are looked after under the ancient Vedic approach is considered to be the most sacred and potent, as prescribed in the Shastras for daily consumption, for use as medicine as well as for devotional rituals. Gir Ahinsak Gau Ghee is an outcome of Vedic standards of Gopalan (care) and Ghee making, starting with Purity of Breed, continuing into Gau Seva or Vedic Gopalan and Dohan, and culminating into making the Ghee using the Bilona method. Purity of Gir Breed - Sanctity of Lineage The Gaushala houses over 700 Gomatas across 18 Gotra’s (closest English word being ‘Lineage’) of Gir, a breed which has survived & prospered in Gujarat for thousands of years. These Gaumatas are pure breed Gir Gaumatas who aren’t cross bred with any other Bharatiya (Indian) or foreign breed. Meticulous records are maintained and great care is taken to avoid in-breeding within the same lineage to preserve the Gaumatas genetic integrity and diversity. The Gaushala does not use artificial insemination techniques, but uses its own extremely well bred Nandi's ('Bull') for breeding. Emphasis in Scriptures – Purity of breed is given significance in ancient scriptures. Genetic Integrity - important to sustain Gaumatas' health and avoid genetic deterioration.. Better Health - more resilient in local environmental & food conditions. Vedic & Ahinsak (Non-exploitative) Gopalan We never sell or ‘get rid of’ older non-lactating Gaumatas or male calves. Her entire family is looked after as our own family. As a result, percentage of Gaumatas giving milk at our Gaushala at any point of time can be around 20% compared with 30-65% in conventional dairies. The Gaushala does not use unnatural practices to induce breeding or increase milk production. The Gaushala also runs "Nandi Gir Yojana" under which it loans extremely well bred Nandi's ('Bull') to trusted Gaushala's or villages for strengthening the Gir breed in the country. Ethical & Spiritual – subtle & spiritual qualities such ghee is also superior. Modern research - Gaumatas are emotional beings who suffer whenfamily / friends are taken away. Ancient scriptures - Ghee from satisfied Gaumatas ideally suited for daily consumption & rituals. Pure, Ethical, non-GMO & Ayurvedic Feed Our feed is ethically sourced and non-genetically modified, some examples - Richer grass varieties - Extensive research on over 100 grass varieties, few chosen based on nutritional value. Pure & ethical whole sorghum - bought from farmers who grow using a special farming method. Organic Farmlands for Gaumata - we grow various fresh organic greens for Gaumata in our own farmlands. Non-GMO Cotton seeds and Ayurvedic herbs also used in the feed feed. Eating Pure & Ethical - is advisable for not just humans for also Gaumata and other living beings. Non GMO - adverse effects of GMO seeds on Gaumatas' health. Local seeds improve energy & health. Ayurvedic feed - improved immunity, absorption, digestion, rejuvenation, etc. Dohan - Non-Exploitative Process of Milking We also strictly adhere to the ancient Bharatiya Vedic tradition of ‘dohan’, where calf is allowed to feed to satisfaction from two ‘Anchals’, while the remaining two are used to obtain milk for other living beings. We believe this may reduce milk yields temporarily but offers other benefits. At the Gaushala, each Gaumata has a name. When it is time for Dohan, Gopalaks at the Gaushala call out the Gaumata’s by their respective names. As the Gaumata comes forward for the Dohan, even calves as young as a week recognize their Mother’s name and come forward to participate in the Dohan. Happier Gaumata - Leads to Gaumatas being happier when they know that their calf is fed. Healthier Gaumata – subsequent generations are also healthier having consumed their Mother’s milk. Subtle, Karmic & Spiritual Qualities - such milk & its ghee has far better ethical qualities. Bilona & Wood-fired method of Ghee Making 3,000 year old Bharatiya bilona method of ghee preparation means we use whole milk and not just milk cream to prepare ghee. Butter is separated from curdled whole milk using a bilona, and ghee is obtained from this butter. As a result, each liter of ghee requires about 25-40 liters of milk, in contrast to conventional dairy ghee which is made from cream & hence significantly cheaper. The cooking is slower which takes more time and uses wood fire instead of natural gas flame. Higher Nutrition - Slower flame retains most of the nutrients in the ghee. Spiritual - In Vedas, fuel sourced from above Earth are called 'sur dhatu' and regarded favourably. Richer Flavour - We believe Ghee has a more natural & richer flavor when cooked over wooden fire.