Shankaracharya commences “Dharmayudh Yatra” for cow protection

Metro India News | VARANASI

On the 36th day of a 40-day ultimatum issued to the Uttar Pradesh government, Jyotish Peeth Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati commenced his "Gau Pratishtha Dharmayudh Shankhnad Yatra" on Saturday with a cow worship ceremony (Gau Puja) at Shri Vidya Math in Varanasi. The yatra aims to press the state administration to declare the cow as "Rajyamata" (Mother of the State) and enforce a complete ban on cow slaughter and beef exports across Uttar Pradesh. 

Accompanied by thousands of cow devotees (gaubhaktas), the Shankaracharya led the procession, with saints blowing conch shells ahead to herald the campaign. Following the Gau Puja, the Shankaracharya offered prayers, performed darshan, and conducted aarti at the Chintamani Ganesh Temple. He then proceeded to the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, where he paid obeisance to Lord Hanuman and the Shri Ram Darbar. 

In the temple premises, thousands of devotees joined him in a collective recitation of the Hanuman Chalisa, Hanumanashtak, and Bajrang Baan. The journey will pass through several cities and towns, including Jaunpur, Sultanpur, Raebareli, Unnao, and others, where the Shankaracharya plans to hold multiple Gau Sabhas (cow protection assemblies) to mobilize support. He is scheduled to arrive in Lucknow on March 11—coinciding with Sheetla Ashtami where he will sound the conch for the formal launch of the "Gau Pratishtha Dharmayudh."