While we do have cows on our roads in Chennai, the numbers in the smaller towns in North India seem to exceed their human population!
Mathura and Vrindavan, not surprisingly, being the towns associated with the cow herd God, Krishna, were over run by cattle. I had to leave my camera in the car when visiting the Janmasthali (the jail house where Lord Krishna is believed to have been born) owing to tight security, and it poured as we got out, so I have no photos to show. But here are a few from Lucknow and Varanasi.
I will be offline for a few days….away to the ‘City of Joy‘.
See you back here soon.
The Urge To Wander 
Love the title!! And great pics as always 🙂 Enjoy the City of Joy!
I have read about this in depth! It would be very secure to be a bovine here!
Holy cow, indeed! 🙂 enjoy the City of Joy….
Lovely cow pics, Madhu. My sister is a mad collector of cows, but not live ones. 🙂 Have fun! xx
Have a wonderful time – tell us all about it when you come back!
Yeah wonderful title – and very well captured… 🙂
Wonder if more cows on our roads here in Europe would make us drive more safe..?
When I was in primary school aged about 6 years old, one of the stories in our reading book was about a town in India where a cow was walking about causing havoc and stopping traffic on the roads.
The story was teaching us about how cows were sacred animals in India and could not be moved by force.
Have you been to St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Poonamallee High Road, Chennai yet? It is one of the finest Georgian buildings in Asia build by members of the Church of Scotland in 1821.
It has finely etched white Doric columns, black and white tiled marble roof, and a high, sky-blue dome of enviable beauty. On the inner surface of the dome, constellations of stars, as they can be viewed in Scotland, are painted realistically.
Happy travels! I think my favorite cow is the one down the corridor, peering from around the corner. Great composition.
Madhu, this is so funny. My neighbor’s doors have been shut all day today, which is really unusual for her house when she is home. I asked her this evening why her doors were shut and she said, “A cow came into my kitchen and ate all my food for Christmas.” Holy Cow is right!
Holy cow indeed 🙂
Right up to the mid 1960s we used to have cows on the streets in Little India Singapore – we took in our stride but now, it would make news.
Have a great trip! I love cows!
Amazing how these cows can just feel at home anywhere. Nothing seems to phase them. They know they are holy, indeed. Enjoy Calcutta.
Great post, Madhu. Hope you have a great time wandering. -Max-
I so want to visit this area of the world … simply because of your posts.
Yup! Cows here are better at streamlining the traffic than the cops! They stand on the middle of the road and ensure people stick to their lanes, and sometimes even ensure no-one jumps the traffic light. I find myself running away from one almost on a daily basis 😀
He he he, you are spot on! 😀 Haven’t seen one in Chennai, at least not on my circuit, in a very long time!
Cows in India are always pretty ones! Have a great time in Calcutta Madhu and seasons greetings to you 🙂
I thnk you are doing this India series just for me, so loving it. I remember the cows. Amazing, just wandering around the streets and everyone making way for them.
I never got to Calcutta – wish I had – so wishing you a very joyful time there.
Madhu, the shot of the cow peering out into the alley-way is priceless, like a nosey neighbor on neighborhood watch. Enjoy your travels!
Great photos! I’m off traveling for the holidays as well – Brazil. Wishing you a wonderful new year ahead!
Happy hols, Madhu! 🙂
Love the title as well as the photos, Madhu.
janet
Great pics. I’m starting to wonder whether it’s raining everywhere in the world right now. We’re flooded.
I love the cows and the idea that they are revered. Have a great trip!
I like the stoic acceptance of street vendors when the Holy Cow decides to sample their wares off the cart. I guess they feel they are blessed, though certainly a lot poorer at the end of the day after Smt Cow has dined.
I was fascinated by the cows Madhu, but did not see anywhere overrun with them … your photos are lovely, so typical!
Enjoy your time!
the title made me smile 🙂 enjoy your holiday! 🙂
that is interesting 🙂
I’ve learned to appreciate and love cows over the years… but having too many gods around could get burdensome.
I loved seeing cows in the streets in India. At first it seemed so odd but after a few days it was as normal as seeing a cat or a dog.
What a wonderful post! 😀 Thank you, Madhu 🙂
Fun! Have a good holiday and can’t wait to see you when you return.