Surabhi cow
Surabhi came to live at the Ahimsa Goshala in October 2015. She was 6 months old at the time. Her owner was a specialty breeder in Calgary who has a license for importing and breeding Indian cows. His business caters to the cow slaughter industry but he sells cows to private individuals as well. Surabhi was the first Gir cow in his program. She was nervous for her first few months in Saranagati, she wasn't sure if she could trust humans. In time she became absolutely people friendly and will patiently stand in a very regal posture when we offer her worship and pray for her blessings.
Varuni cow
Varuni cow was rescued in August of 2022. She had a wild beginning of life, but settled down at Ahimsa Goshala. As she grew accustomed to people, she became a lover of hugs, massages and emotional connection. Her friendliness can be overpowering. She loves having her ears, neck, and belly rubbed. She is deeply bonded with Mohini who was born shortly after her arrival.
Mohini cow
Mohini is Surabhi cow's daughter, born in August of 2022. When she was young, she had a thick fluffy coat of hair and liked to run and kick. She always seems to be enjoying life. Her father is Manorath, a bull from Gir Farms in Ontario, and she takes after his domed forehead, heavy eyebrows and downward-curling horns. She will put her head down so you can scratch behind them.
Ilavati cow
Ilavati came to us when she was already two years old. She didn't trust humans at all. We're not sure what had happened to her but her tail is half missing and she has a large rip in her ear where a plastic branding tag used to be. These injuries are fully healed but the short tail makes it hard for her to brush away the flies during the summer months. Ilavati loves to be brushed, but only by someone she knows. She is larger than Laxmi and Gauri and is the self proclaimed leader of the mini-zebus. She is the mother of Dharma Mani. She has a very long and graceful face.
Laksmi cow
Laxmi has all of the classical features of a miniature zebu cow, very short with a rich dark brown color. She is the mother of our ox Ramananda. She is still very protective of him even though he is now bigger than she is. Laxmi has never learned to trust humans and will run in circles around the cow pen if she thinks we are coming to her to adjust her halter or some similar frightening act. Despite her deep fears, if someone comes to her with gur she will come up and eat out your hand, and then quickly retreat to a safe distance.
Dharma Mani ox
Dharma Mani is a charming ox. He is the son of Ilavati. He was born at Ahimsa Goshala in June of 2016. During Dharma's first training sessions learning how to pull a tire tied to a rope, he would lay on the ground and play dead rather than cooperate with his trainer. We called it the "Dharma flop". He is extremely friendly and has turned into a very hard working ox.
Ramananda Raya ox
Ramananda Raya is the son of Laxmi cow, born in June of 2016, six days before his brother, Dharma Mani. He was brown like his mom as a baby, and then took after his father with silver hair and majestic horns. Ram figured out very early in his training that if he remained just a half step behind Dharma when they were pulling a cart as a team, Dharma would get most of the weight. He has become a very strong ox and learned to share the load.
Revati cow
Revati cow was rescued along with Varuni cow in 2022. She passed away in a field, unexpectedly in 2025. Revati was a peaceful and kind gir cow who loved neck rubs.