Siddhagiri Gaushala

Siddhagiri Native Cow Breed Development Initiatives

Shree Siddhagiri Sansthan is actively engaged in social and rural development through sustainable agricultural practices and animal husbandry. The Sansthan’s core mission is to promote sustainable rural livelihoods and ensure food security.

To achieve this, the Sansthan has been advocating for natural farming methods and a cow-centric rural economy. It operates a well-organized Goshala dedicated to the preservation and propagation of Indian native cow breeds. Notably, it is the only institution in the state that houses the highest number of indigenous cattle breeds.

The Goshala follows state-of-the-art management practices, serving as a model for conservation and enabling farmer-breeders to adopt indigenous breeds at the grassroots level.

In addition to its work with cattle, the Sansthan undertakes a wide range of initiatives focused on agricultural development and cow-based economic empowerment. Showcasing these efforts lays a strong foundation for building a resilient and sustainable rural economy.

Shri Siddhagiri Goshala

Shree Siddhagiri Sansthan has a legacy spanning over 1300 years, originating with the establishment of Siddhagiri Math. Since its inception, the Math has maintained a Goshala as an integral part of its spiritual and rural mission. A fully structured and well-organized Goshala was formally established in 1990.

With the advent of modern science, the Goshala has evolved to incorporate advanced animal husbandry practices. Today, it proudly houses over 1,000 cattle, representing 23 indigenous breeds along with their sub-types — making it one of the most diverse and significant centers for native cow conservation in the region.

The Goshala is equipped with comprehensive infrastructure to support its operations, including:

Goshala Modern cow sheds for cows, bulls, and calves

Fodder storage and feed mixing units

Hydroponics and loose housing systems

Vermicomposting and dung composting units

Milking machine and cow lifter facilities

Dung collection systems and tractor-trolley support

Silage production and high-capacity chaff cutters

Millions of farmers and animal breeders have visited the Goshala to learn about effective cow-rearing practices. The administration offers free guidance and answers to visitors’ queries, making knowledge accessible to all. In essence, Shri Siddhagiri Goshala serves as a living museum of India’s indigenous cow breeds and a model for sustainable animal management.

Shree Siddhagiri Ashvashala

At the Kaneri campus of Shree Siddhagiri Sansthan, a traditional Gurukul has been established to impart ancient Indian knowledge to the younger generation. This initiative serves as a vital contribution to preserving and continuing India’s rich cultural heritage.

The Gurukul curriculum encompasses 14 Vidyas (branches of knowledge) and 64 Kalas (arts and skills), offering a holistic education rooted in tradition. Among its unique offerings is specialized training in horse rearing, horse sports, and horse handling — disciplines rarely found in modern educational settings.

To support this, the Sansthan has developed a dedicated horse unit known as Ashvashala. The facility houses 25 Indian-bred horses, both male and female, and provides hands-on training to students in traditional horse care and management practices

Ashvashala not only preserves indigenous horse breeds but also revives equestrian skills as part of India’s cultural legacy.

Shree Siddhagiri Shwan Adhar Kendra

Shree Siddhagiri Sansthan is deeply committed to animal welfare. Recognizing the growing social concern around rabies and stray dog bites, the Sansthan has taken a proactive step by establishing a dedicated shelter for stray dogs collected by the municipal corporation. This initiative has been operational for the past five years at the Kaneri campus.

The Shwan Adhar Kendra provides food, shelter, and care for up to 400 dogs, housed in well-maintained enclosures. A separate veterinary medical center ensures regular health check-ups and treatment for the animals. The center also conducts awareness programs and vaccination drives to prevent rabies and promote responsible dog welfare.

Through this compassionate initiative, the Sansthan continues to serve society by addressing public health concerns and nurturing a culture of kindness toward animals.

Shree Siddhagiri Fodder Museum

Shree Siddhagiri Sansthan spans over 500 acres of land, with approximately 100 acres dedicated annually to fodder cultivation. The harvested fodder meets the daily nutritional needs of cows in the Goshala, while surplus produce is systematically converted into silage for long-term use.

Fodder crops are cultivated in three-month intervals, allowing for at least four growing seasons each year. A diverse range of fodder types is grown to meet the specific dietary requirements of indigenous cow breeds. As a result, fresh fodder is consistently available across the agricultural fields of the campus.

The Fodder Museum welcomes visitors to observe various fodder varieties firsthand. Stumps and samples are also provided to encourage fodder cultivation among farmers. Special emphasis is placed on growing highly nutritious and newly introduced varieties available in the market.

Key fodder crops include:

Napier grass

Maize

Bajra (Pearl millet)

Indigenous varieties such as Marvel, Kusali, and Pawana

The Sansthan also conducts regular experimentation to evaluate and promote new fodder strains, contributing to sustainable livestock nutrition and agricultural innovation.

SIVARCHAL – Reproductive Technology Demonstration Center

Shree Siddhagiri Goshala is a forward-thinking institution that embraces modern technologies to enhance the care and productivity of indigenous cow breeds. In collaboration with university experts and state department officials, the Sansthan has actively adopted and demonstrated advanced reproductive technologies.

Key programs implemented at the Goshala include:

Oestrus detection

Oestrus induction

Oestrus synchronization

Combined oestrus induction and synchronization

These technologies have been successfully demonstrated and promoted among farmers as practical, cost-effective solutions for improving breeding efficiency and livestock management.

To further this mission, the Sansthan has established a Center of Excellence for Reproductive Technologies, featuring a state-of-the-art embryo transfer laboratory. This facility is equipped to perform:

OPU (Ovum Pickup)

IVF (In Vitro Fertilization)

IVM (In Vitro Maturation)

Embryo transfer — exclusively for indigenous cows

SIVARCHAL aims to bring cutting-edge reproductive science to rural communities, empowering animal breeders and improving their economic well-being through sustainable livestock practices.

Shree Siddhagiri Animal Hospital

Shree Siddhagiri Sansthan has been operating a dedicated Animal Hospital for the past 10 years, recognizing that timely treatment and care of livestock is essential to support the morale and livelihood of rural farmers.

The hospital offers a comprehensive range of clinical services, including:

Diagnosis and treatment of livestock ailments

Technical guidance for farmer-breeders

Deworming and vaccination campaigns

Advisory support for dairy owners

Ambulatory services and animal transportation

Control and prevention of contagious diseases

In addition to conventional veterinary care, the hospital emphasizes therapeutic approaches rooted in herbal, Ayurvedic, and ethno-veterinary practices. These methods offer cost-effective, safe, and culturally relevant treatments for livestock.

Preventive healthcare strategies are actively promoted to ensure long-term animal wellness and reduce veterinary expenses. Through these efforts, the hospital plays a vital role in improving rural animal health and supporting sustainable farming communities.

Shree Siddhagiri College of Veterinary Sciences

Shree Siddhagiri Sansthan has proposed the establishment of a new College of Veterinary Sciences at its Kaneri campus. Preparations are underway to launch this academic institution with robust infrastructure and modern facilities, aligned with national standards.

The college’s organizational structure includes the following key departments and units:

Office of the Associate Dean

Staffed with 19 professionals, fulfilling all requirements set by the Veterinary Council of India (VCI).

Details of Teaching Faculty of Shri Siddhagiri College of Veterinary Science

Department of Anatomy

Fully equipped with academic personnel, dedicated floor space, and essential infrastructure.

Department of Physiology and Biochemistry

Meets all academic and infrastructural standards for effective teaching and research.

Department of Livestock Production and Management

It is meant for housing young heifers separately. Older calves from about six months of age to breeding age are to be housed separately from the suckling calves. When a large number of young calves are there, they should be divided into different age groups and each group housed separately.

Veterinary Clinical Complex

In addition to meeting basic academic and infrastructural requirements, this unit includes:

Diagnostic laboratories

Operation theaters

Modern X-ray and advanced ultrasound systems

Diagnostic laboratories

Livestock Farm Complex

Features modern sheds for goat farming, sheep rearing, piggery, and poultry. Each unit maintains a demonstrative population of animals and follows best practices in livestock management.

This upcoming veterinary college aims to provide high-quality education and hands-on training, contributing to the advancement of animal sciences and rural development

Shree Siddhagiri Annual Cattle Exhibition

Promoting indigenous cattle and preserving Indian breeds is a core mission of Shree Siddhagiri Sansthan. As part of this commitment, the Sansthan organizes an Annual Cattle Exhibition, held during the grand celebration of Mahashivratri Mahotsav on the Kaneri campus.

This regional showcase features elite native cow breeds from across Maharashtra, attracting millions of devotees and visitors on this auspicious occasion. The event is widely publicized at least a month in advance, ensuring strong participation and public engagement.

Expert panels evaluate the animals across various categories, and outstanding entries are honored with substantial prizes — a tradition that has earned the exhibition wide recognition and respect in the community.

In addition to the livestock display, the event includes technical sessions led by animal husbandry experts. These sessions offer valuable insights into breed improvement programs and best practices in cattle care, making the exhibition both a cultural celebration and an educational platform.

Shri Siddhagiri Cow-Based Natural Farming

Shree Siddhagiri Sansthan actively promotes natural farming technologies as a means to ensure sustainable agricultural income for rural communities. Each year, the Sansthan organizes free training programs for farmers, inviting renowned experts from across the country to share their knowledge and insights on natural farming practices.

A key focus is the promotion of cow-based farming systems among cattle owners. The Sansthan emphasizes a symbiotic approach that integrates agriculture with animal husbandry, encouraging the productive use of cow urine-based insecticides, cow dung-derived products, and the value addition of dung into high-quality organic fertilizers.

One of the Sansthan’s signature initiatives is the Gau-Parikrama — an annual outreach program that spans 100 villages over 10 days. Conducted in the Kolhapur region for over a decade, this grassroots campaign engages villagers and farmers directly, spreading awareness about the benefits of natural, cow-based farming and fostering a deeper connection between communities and sustainable agricultural practices.

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Siddhagiri Math

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Siddhagiri Native Cow Breed Development Initiatives